Vance's Assisted Living Legislation Becomes Law

HARRISBURG – Sen. Pat Vance's (R-Cumberland/York) legislation defining and licensing assisted living facilities has become law after the Governor signed the bill today.

"This new law will allow Pennsylvanians to make educated decisions about their own care or the care of a loved one and better understand the limitations of a specific facility," Vance said. "Currently, there is some confusion about what kind of care different personal care homes provide. By creating a specific assisted living licensure process, it will be easier to identify the differences between facilities."

The law defines assisted living residences and the services that may be offered. This includes additional requirements for facilities caring for those with cognitive impairments such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the law sets minimal standards for regulation of the industry by the Department of Public Welfare and supports the philosophy that individuals should be permitted to age in place. Each facility also will be subject to unannounced inspections. Finally, facilities not licensed under the act will be prohibited from using the term assisted living, thereby eliminating a large amount of confusion in the marketplace.

Under current law, facilities offering long term care services are either licensed as personal care homes or nursing homes. With a few exceptions, personal care homes are permitted to admit residents who require personal care services, but not health care services. Nursing homes serve the other end of the spectrum and provide care for the most vulnerable of the population. Assisted living residences will be permitted to provide a level of care between the two.

Vance's district includes all of Cumberland County and Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships and Dillsburg, Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs in York County.