Committee advances Department of Public Health rule updates on in-home care and hospital standards

The committee reviewed two regulatory packages from the Department of Public Health and voted to move them forward. Document 5407 updates licensing standards for in-home care providers, clarifies that the business entity is licensed while caregivers render services under that license, requires criminal background checks for applicants and caregivers, and specifies disqualifying convictions (forgery, larceny, embezzlement, certain drug offenses within 10 years, abuse/neglect/exploitation of vulnerable adults, and violent crimes).

Vito Weisevic of the Department of Public Health explained the clarifications and said some language replaces discretionary 'may' language with stronger wording to make enforcement and a monetary penalty schedule more consistent. Committee members asked for 'shall' language in some places for consistency and discussed the scope of disqualifying convictions (including theft-related offenses) and timing windows; the agency said the proposed amendments maintain protections for vulnerable clients while clarifying application and timing of background checks.

Document 5408 updates hospital facility regulations to reflect statutes enacted in recent years (including acute hospital care at home and emergency services requirements) and notes that the House removed a phrase related to corridor placement of beds; the agency’s summary and a departmental representative confirmed the intent and requested promulgation.

Both regulatory items were advanced by the committee for further processing.