1. (a) The Department shall adopt regulations that set standards for the care, treatment, health, safety, welfare, and comfort of individuals who receive home health care services through a residential service agency.
2. (b) The regulations shall provide for the licensing of residential service agencies.

3. (c) The regulations shall include provisions that:

   1. (1) Provide for the establishment of residential service agencies;
   2. (2) Establish qualifications for licensure;
   3. (3) Set minimum standards for individuals who provide home health care services through a residential service agency; and
   4. (4) Require the residential service agency to screen and verify the character references of all home health care providers that are employed by the residential service agency.

Added by Acts 1990, c. 529, § 1, eff. July 1, 1990. Amended by Acts 1993, c. 354, § 1, eff. July 1, 1993; Acts 2013, c. 84, § 2, eff. July 1, 2014; Acts 2018, c. 661, § 1, eff. July 1, 2018.