If approved by the attorney general’s office, the settlement would affect more than 72,000 people living in Pennsylvania’s 682 skilled nursing facilities and could be released by the end of the year and implemented in stages. throughout 2023.

The approved regulations are based on the latest research, input from subject matter experts and industry players and build on lessons learned from the global COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to addressing nursing staffing needs and gradually increasing the minimum number of resident care hours, the regulation:

• align with more stringent federal requirements for infection prevention and control and emergency preparedness,
• establish protections against discrimination based on gender identity or expression,
• require orientation for staff on the subject of dementia management and communication skills,
• align with federal requirements for resident care plans and resident entitlements, and
• increase transparency regarding facility ownership and ownership structures, including the ability for the public to comment on permit applications and ownership changes.

The regulations will only apply to the 682 skilled nursing facilities licensed by the Department of Health. Personal care homes and assisted living facilities generally housing residents with less acute health care needs are regulated by the Department of Human Services under separate regulations.