The state Senate recently approved a measure introduced by Sen. Don White, R-41st, calling for a comprehensive study of the impact a new set of state regulations are having on personal care facilities and their residents.

Concerned that the regulations recently implemented by the Department of Public Welfare is forcing some small personal care homes out of business, White introduced his Resolution.

"Some personal care homes have already closed and many others have expressed very serious concerns over their ability to continue to operate under these new regulations," he said. "For the most part, personal care homes are primarily small, family-run operations, but they currently serve about 50,000 residents."

"Should these regulations be as onerous as many fear, we could see many more of the facilities closing their doors,"White said. "That would have a severe impact on families and the commonwealth could face a major fiscal crisis as thousands of residents may be displaced."

The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, in accordance with the resolution, will now conduct a comprehensive study on the impact the regulations will have on personal care homes and their residents.

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State Sen. Bob Robbins, R-50th, this week announced that the Senate unanimously passed a bill that would authorize a state license plate commemorating recipients of the Korean Defense Service Medal.In 2004, the United States Congress authorized the Korean Defense Service Medal to members of the U.S. armed forces who have served or are serving in the Republic of Korea, including the surrounding waters and airspace since the signing of the cease-fire in July, 1953.According to Robbins, a two-tour Vietnam War veteran, the state Transportation Department currently provides special-designation license plates for veterans of several conflicts, including Pearl Harbor survivors, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War.While the time frame for the availability for these plates by the Department of Transportation is undecided, the cost of a special plate is a one-time $20 fee in addition to the regular annual registration fee.