After waiting more than two years, the Governor's office has released the final regulations to license private duty homecare and registries to the appropriate legislative committees and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC).

 These legislative committees have 20 days to review, and either approve or disapprove the regulations. IRRC has scheduled a public hearing on October 1 to review the regulations, which will then be sent to the Attorney General for final approval. If all goes as expected, Pennsylvania will have licensure requirements for homecare agencies by November.

 This release came on the heels of a letter sent by PHA Executive Director Vicki Hoak to Governor Rendell expressing PHA members' dismay that the regulations had been stalled and urging him to release the regulations.

 "We couldn't be more pleased," said Hoak. "This has been a top priority for our association and thanks to the efforts of our members there will be minimum standards for all homecare agencies and registries."