Pennsylvania Statutes Title 35 P.S. Health and Safety § 10283. Access to congregate care facilities for essential caregivers

The department, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, shall establish protocols to allow a resident of a congregate care facility or an individual with decision-making authority for the resident to designate an individual as the resident's essential caregiver during a declaration of disaster emergency. A resident of a congregate care facility or an individual with decision-making authority for the resident shall designate an essential caregiver during the intake of the resident into the congregate care facility. An essential caregiver shall meet the necessary qualifications to enter the congregate care facility to provide in-person physical or emotional support to a resident of a congregate care facility in accordance with the protocols established under this section. The department may update the protocols established under this section at any time during the disaster emergency. The department may not update the protocols established under this section to extend the duration of the lock-down phase under paragraph (3) for a time period exceeding 45 days. The protocols shall include all of the following: