PA SB115

Department of Human Services must provide a skills competency examination as an alternative pathway for individuals seeking direct care staff positions in personal care homes and assisted living residences who lack a high school diploma or GED

The skills exam must assess interpersonal communication, basic reading and writing comprehension, cultural awareness, mental and behavioral health awareness, and other job-specific competencies

Foreign-educated individuals who lawfully reside in the U.S. and are otherwise qualified may work as direct care staff without a high school diploma or GED, and facilities hiring them are exempt from obtaining waivers under existing regulations (55 Pa. Code §§ 2600.19 and 2800.19)

Direct care staff passing the competency exam are prohibited from dispensing, distributing, or administering medication

Department of Human Services receives authority to issue temporary regulations for two years without standard regulatory review processes; the act takes effect in 60 days