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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	April 12, 2021 05:48 PM
From:	Representative Christopher M. Rabb
To:	All House members
Subject:	Modernizing Licensure of State Regulated Facilities

As public servants, we are charged with protecting the health and safety of people across our Commonwealth. Therefore, we must take every precaution to safeguard women, men and children, especially those members of our most vulnerable communities.   We must amend Act 21 of 1967, also known as the Human Services Code, to direct the Department of Human Services (DHS) to update their regulations regarding facility licensure.   We can no longer continue issuance of certificates of compliance for facilities that fall outside of state licensure statutes.   Group homes are not children’s nursing homes, and child residential facilities are not family detention centers.   We have made do with existing policies and procedures, but we do not have the right tools and mechanics in place to ensure the health and security of those human beings we are duty-bound to protect. As a result, we have spent too much time and resources investigating allegations of neglect, abuse and fatalities at taxpayer expense instead of addressing root causes that trigger many of these ongoing incidents.   We took an oath when we were sworn in to defend and uphold the constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Thus, it is our constitutional responsibility as state lawmakers to address this ongoing humanitarian crisis within our own borders.

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