by KYW’s Pat Loeb

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is developing new requirements and regulations for assisted living facilities in the state. The new regulations are meant to protect residents, but consumer advocates think the regulations don't go far enough.

It's been eight years since World War II veteran William Neff died of abuse at an assisted living facility in Bucks County -- igniting an outcry for new regulations. But until now, assisted living has been licensed the same way as personal care homes.

Alissa Halperin of the Pa assisted living consumer alliance says the problem with the new regulations is they don't represent enough of a change:

“They're not fresh and they're not brand new and they are literally built entirely from the platform of the personal care home regulations.”

Halperin says assisted living residents have different requirements.

Spokesperson Stacy Witalec says the Department of Public Welfare is open to suggestions from Halperin and others:

“We are hoping through the regulation process we can all come to the table to make sure these regulations meet the very unique needs of every resident we're hoping to serve.”

The department is taking public comments until September 15th.

For more information on the web go to the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Consumer Alliance: http://paassistedlivingconsumeralliance.org/ and the Pa Department of Public Welfare: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/