Newly signed state legislation will require contract health care service agencies to register with the department of health to operate.

State Rep. Tim Bonner, R-8th, introduced House Bill 2293, and it is now included in Act 128 of 2022, according to a Friday news release from his office.

The bill was among the 66 bills Gov. Tom Wolf approved Thursday.

Agencies will need to provide important background information regarding the legality and operation of their entity; require that each nurse have the proper credentials, criminal background checks and malpractice insurance; require workers’ compensation coverage; and set due process rights in the event of any complaints, as per the terms of the bill.

“Due to massive staff shortages, many long-term care providers have been forced to rely on temporary agency staff to fill the critical positions needed to provide care and meet minimum staffing requirements,” Bonner said. “Long-term sustainability of nursing homes is now becoming a critical concern as 39% of responding facilities stated they cannot afford to keep facilities open for more than a year.”