For more than 15 years, members of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) pressed state officials to pass legislation to license home care agencies that provide personal care services. As more and more people choose to remain in their homes as they age, and live as independently as possible in the community; the need for in-home services will rise and consumer protections must be in place. As language for the licensure legislation was drafted, the following guiding principles were adopted: to create requirements that are reasonable and thoughtful, not burdensome; to promote consumer-control and build a social model of care and services; not medical. Licensure was also pursued because it would elevate the status of homecare agencies/registries as a valuable component of today’s health care system. Finally, in 2006, Act 69 was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Edward Rendell, mandating that all home care agencies/registries conduct criminal background checks, worker training and competencies and TB testing. Because Act 69 amended the Health Care Facilities Act by adding home care agencies and home care registries to the list of other health care facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, home health and hospice agencies. Home care agencies/registries must also comply with certain requirements under the Health Care Facilities Act such as reporting adverse events to the Department of Health and wearing ID badges. More than ever before, people have choices as to where they receive their care and services. As more Pennsylvanians choose home, home care agencies and registries will continue to expand services to accommodate demand. State licensure will help monitor these services through the establishment of minimum standards and oversight by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. All home care agencies are required to submit an application for licensure by February 10, 2010.