PRINTER'S NO. 470
No. 409 Session of 1983
INTRODUCED BY JOHNSON, CIMINI, CAWLEY, DORR AND PETRARCA,
MARCH 16, 1983
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND WELFARE, MARCH 16, 1983
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
2 act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
3 welfare laws of the Commonwealth," further providing for
4 standards for institutions.
5 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7 Section 1. Section 921(c) of the act of June 13, 1967
8 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, is amended to
9 read:
10 Section 921. Additional Provisions Respecting Certain
11 Institutions; Purpose; Definitions; Standards; Inspection.--
12 * * *
13 (c) The department shall establish standards for the safe
14 and adequate care of individuals, not inconsistent with the laws
15 of this Commonwealth and the rules and regulations of the
16 various departments of the Commonwealth, for all such
17 institutions within this Commonwealth, which standards shall
18 make adequate and proper provisions for (i) fire protection,
1 (ii) water supply and sewage disposal, (iii) sanitation, (iv)
2 lighting and heating, (v) ventilation, (vi) safety, (vii)
3 equipment, (viii) bed space, (ix) keeping of records of
4 identification of residents in the institution and their next of
5 kin, of medical care provided and all pertinent admission and
6 discharge data, and (x) humane care. So long as any prescribed
7 square footage per person per room standard is met, there shall
8 be no limit on the number of persons permitted to reside in a
9 room.
10 In the establishment, amendment or revocation of standards,
11 the department shall confer with an advisory committee of not
12 less than seven or more than eleven persons, to be appointed by
13 the secretary with the consent of the Governor, from
14 representatives of recognized agencies and religious
15 organizations conducting institutions and from the public at
16 large. The secretary or someone designated by him shall be the
17 chairman of the advisory committee.
18 * * *
19 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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