Pennsylvania Code
Title 28 - HEALTH AND SAFETY
Part II - LOCAL HEALTH
Chapter 17 - STANDARDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
INSTITUTIONAL SANITATION PROGRAMS
Section 17.41 - Minimum program activities

(1) Inspections. Institutional facilities, including nursing homes, skilled and intermediate care facilities, child day care centers, head start, county detention centers, mental health inpatient, mental health/mental retardation day care, residential mental health/mental retardation general child-care institutions, adult day care centers, maternity homes and sheltered workshops, shall be inspected. The local health department shall respond to requests for inspections from DER. Requests for inspection for renewal of licenses/approvals will be forwarded by the Division of Facility Sanitation and Vector Control to the local health departments two months prior to the license/approval expiration date except in cases of new facilities or upon special request for an inspection at a facility identified as having a specific and serious health or sanitation problem. Inspections shall be made throughout the year as often as is necessary to maintain satisfactory compliance with applicable rules, regulations and standards of DER or with local health regulations in effect. Facilities to be excluded from inspection are State mental hospitals, State schools and hospitals, psychiatric units or emergency mental health/mental retardation units located within general hospitals, and group homes or boarding homes for children which provide room and board for 16 or less people who are not related to the owner or operator.

(2) Plan review. Upon referral from the licensing agency, plans and specifications for major alterations or for new construction shall be reviewed prior to construction to ensure compliance with the provisions of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 173 (Reserved) or other applicable regulations which may be in effect.

(3) Rules and regulations. The provisions of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 173 shall be the basis for minimum requirements in institutions. Local health department may adopt and enforce regulations which are as stringent and are consistent in intent and purpose with that chapter.

(4) Educational program. Educational activities may include training programs for institution owners, operators and employes to increase the knowledge and awareness of environmental health principles and practices.

(5) Meetings. Local health departments are required to attend periodic meetings with DER for the purpose of program planning, development, reporting, evaluation and coordination to provide an orderly, efficient delivery of this environmental health program on a Statewide basis.