Court Opinion

ID: 9891677
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-19 14:18:43.839404+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:00:03.776866
License: Public Domain

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Harrisburg Area YMCA,                   :
                         Petitioner     :
                                        :
                  v.                    :   No. 799 C.D. 2022
                                        :   Argued: September 11, 2023
Department of Human Services,           :
                      Respondent        :

BEFORE:     HONORABLE RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, President Judge
            HONORABLE MICHAEL H. WOJCIK, Judge
            HONORABLE MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, Senior Judge

OPINION NOT REPORTED

MEMORANDUM OPINION BY
PRESIDENT JUDGE COHN JUBELIRER              FILED: October 19, 2023

      Harrisburg Area YMCA (YMCA) petitions for review of an Order of the
Department of Human Services (DHS), Bureau of Hearings and Appeals (BHA),
adopting the recommendation of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) that denied
YMCA’s appeal of DHS’s revocation of YMCA’s regular certificate of compliance
to operate a child day care center. YMCA contends DHS must issue a written notice
with an opportunity to correct deficiencies prior to revocation, DHS should have
considered YMCA for a provisional license because it was in substantial compliance
with applicable regulations, and the ALJ abused their discretion in denying YMCA’s
Motion for Summary Judgment (Motion).
I.     BACKGROUND1
       A.     The Incident
       YMCA operated a childcare center in the Lower Paxton Township area,
located at 4618 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, beginning in the late 1980s (the
Center). (ALJ Adjudication (Adjudication), Findings of Fact (FOF) ¶ 3.) YMCA
operates 30 other childcare facilities in the greater Harrisburg area, each of which is
in good standing with valid certificates of compliance. (Id. ¶¶ 2, 26.) The Center
received citations only for minor violations up until the subject of this matter. (Id. ¶
4.)
       On April 23, 2018, a staff member witnessed another staff member shaking a
five-month-old infant because the infant was crying and would not go to sleep (the
Incident). (Id. ¶¶ 5-6, 9.) The infant suffered two fractured ribs as a result of the
Incident. (Id. ¶ 9.) Senior Childcare Director (Director) was informed of the
Incident and directed the staff member who was responsible to be moved to a
different classroom, and the staff member who witnessed the Incident to write down
what was observed. (Id. ¶¶ 6-7.) Director interpreted the Incident as “a staffing
issue.” (Id. ¶ 8.) Although the staff member who witnessed the Incident was trained
to report this type of occurrence to the ChildLine and Abuse Registry (ChildLine),
the staff member did not report it. (Id. ¶ 10.)
       On April 26, 2018, upon learning the Incident was not reported, YMCA
immediately reported the Incident, relieved both staff members of their positions,
and implemented corrective procedures reminding employees of their duties to

       1
         YMCA concedes “[t]he dispositive facts are not in dispute,” and this matter involves
issues “of a purely legal nature” and questions that are “purely procedural.” (YMCA’s Br. at 14,
27.)

                                               2
report incidents, inform parents, and remove “individual[s] suspected of misconduct
from the premises.” (Id. ¶¶ 11-12.)
      B.       The Investigations
      On April 27, 2018, Ryan Traynor, a Certification Representative with DHS’s
Office of Child Development and Early Learning (Certification Representative),
conducted both a Complaint Inspection due to the Incident and an Unannounced
Monitoring Inspection of the Center. (Id. ¶¶ 13, 15.) During the Complaint
Inspection, Certification Representative cited the following violations of the
regulations:

      a. 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.19(a); 3270.32(a)[,] regarding the facility
      having “knowledge about a child being physically harmed while in care
      failed [sic] to provide the required and timely notification to
      Child[L]ine;” and

      b. 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.21; 3270.113(b)[,] regarding a staff person
      observing another staff person shaking a child in a violent manner. [ ]

(Id. ¶ 14 (citing Ex. C-1).)
      During the Unannounced Monitoring Inspection, Certification Representative
cited the following violations of the regulations:

      a. 55 Pa. Code § 3270.182(7)[,] regarding the facility’s staff’s failure
      to provide parental notification about the high probability of injury to a
      child shaken in a violent manner by staff; and

      b. 55 Pa. Code § 3270.132(a)[,] regarding the facility’s staff’s failure
      to recognize the gravity of the [five]-month[-]old who was shaken in a
      violent manner and there were no calls of emergency care/services to
      determine the general health of the child who had two fractured ribs.
      []

                                          3
(Id. ¶ 16 (citing Ex. C-2).) On June 28, 2018, Certification Representative conducted
another Unannounced Monitoring Inspection and cited the violation of “55 Pa. Code
§ 20.71(a)(5)[,] regarding a facility staff person mistreating or abusing clients being
cared for in the facility or receiving service from the agency” with respect to the
Incident that had occurred two months previously. (Id. ¶ 18 (citing Ex. C-3).) DHS
documented these violations in “Inspection Summaries dated April 27, 2018[,] and
June 28, 2018.” (Id. ¶ 19.)
      On July 27, 2018, DHS revoked YMCA’s Certificate of Compliance to
operate the Center (Certificate of Compliance) for:

      1) failure to comply with [Section 1026(b)(1) of the Human Services]
      Code[, 62 P.S. § 1026(b)(1),2] and DHS’s regulations, . . . 55 Pa. Code
      § 20.7l(a)(l)[-](2), 55 Pa. Code §[§] 3270.l[-3270.241]; 2) mistreatment
      or abuse of clients being cared for in the facility or receiving service
      from the agency, 62 P.S. § 1026(b)(5)[,] 55 Pa. Code § 20.71(a)(5); and
      3) gross incompetence, negligence[,] and misconduct in the operation
      of a childcare program, 62 P.S. § 1026(b)(4), 55 Pa. Code § 20.7l(a)(6).

(Joint Stipulation of Facts ¶ 10, Reproduced Record (R.R.) at 90a.) DHS mailed
YMCA a Letter of Revocation dated July 27, 2018 (Revocation Notice), which
included the Inspection Summaries. (FOF ¶¶ 20, 22.) The Revocation Notice stated
YMCA may operate the Center while its appeal of the revocation of its Certificate
of Compliance was pending if it submitted correction plans within 15 days.
(Revocation Notice at 3, R.R. at 26a.)             DHS did not consider YMCA for a
provisional license before revocation. (FOF ¶ 21.)
      Upon receipt of the Revocation Notice on July 30, 2018, YMCA immediately
submitted a correction plan. (Id. ¶ 23.) YMCA timely appealed the revocation on
August 6, 2018, after it became aware DHS intended to follow through with the

      2
          Act of June 13, 1967, P.L. 31, as amended, 62 P.S. §§ 101-1503.

                                               4
revocation despite submission of a correction plan. (Id. ¶ 24.) Pending appeal,
YMCA voluntarily closed the Center on August 24, 2018. (Id. ¶ 25.)
      C.      Administrative Hearing
      Prior to the hearing on YMCA’s appeal, YMCA filed its Motion on December
23, 2019. Therein, YMCA argued it was entitled to summary judgment on two
grounds: (1) DHS “failed to serve written notice of the [] violations prior to
effectuating the [r]evocation”; and (2) YMCA was entitled to a provisional license
for the Center as it was in substantial compliance with applicable regulations.
(Motion at 1, 6, 9, R.R. at 42a, 47a, 50a.) YMCA requested BHA grant its Motion
“and enter an [o]rder reversing the revocation” and directing DHS to issue YMCA
a provisional license to operate the Center. (Id., Wherefore Clause, R.R. at 53a.)
      An administrative hearing before the ALJ was held on January 14, 2020. At
the hearing, the ALJ heard argument on the Motion, which the ALJ partially denied.
Specifically, the ALJ ruled in favor of DHS regarding the issue of notice. (Hearing
Tr. at 13, R.R. at 130a.) As to the issue of substantial compliance and whether
YMCA was entitled to a provisional license to operate the Center, the ALJ stated “I
am not going to grant the [M]otion . . . at this point from the bench. . . . [DHS] hasn’t
put on a case yet. . . . I think [] it’s premature to say [YMCA] was in substantial
compliance at this point.” (Tr. at 17, R.R. at 134a.)
      DHS then presented Certification Representative as its witness, who testified
as follows.    Certification Representative described his job responsibilities and
investigation procedures.       (FOF ¶¶ 29-30.)          According to Certification
Representative, inspection summaries and an opportunity to submit correction plans
are typically given to facilities before a sanction or revocation is issued. (Id. ¶ 31.)
Certification Representative submits inspection summaries and a recommendation

                                           5
to a supervisor, who shares them with the Division of Regulatory Administration
(DRA) and its legal department. (Id. ¶ 32.) Certification Representative makes
recommendations and does not make final decisions regarding revocation of
certificates, and DRA is the entity that issues sanctions and revocations. (Id. ¶¶ 32-
33.) The ALJ found Certification Representative’s testimony credible. (Id. ¶ 28.)
      YMCA presented the testimony of Director and its President and Chief
Executive Officer (President and CEO). Director testified to the Incident and the
failure to immediately notify the parents of the child or ChildLine of the Incident as
required. (Id. ¶¶ 38-41.) The ALJ found Director’s testimony credible. (Id. ¶ 37.)
President and CEO testified, in relevant part, as follows. President and CEO has
been in his position for 22 years. (Id. ¶ 42.) He supervises 4 branch executives and
oversees 28 facilities that have been operating for 40 years, serving 950 children.
(Id. ¶ 43.) On July 18, 2018, DHS sent a letter to YMCA at a Forster Street address
referencing revised inspection summaries and asked YMCA to submit correction
plans by August 1, 2018. (Id. ¶ 44.) President and CEO testified that this letter
should have been sent to a North Front Street address and was not received until
August 3, 2018. (Id. ¶¶ 47, 49.) According to President and CEO, the Revocation
Notice, dated July 27, 2018, with the Inspection Summaries, which was also sent to
the Forster Street address, was received on July 30, 2018. (Id. ¶ 48.) President and
CEO explained he appealed DHS’s revocation despite closing the Center because
the other 28 operating childcare centers in the greater Harrisburg area must disclose
whether any facility has had its license revoked. (Id. ¶¶ 51-52.) President and CEO
wishes to preserve and protect these other facilities’ reputations by having DHS’s
revocation reversed on appeal. (Id. ¶ 53.) The ALJ found President and CEO’s
testimony credible. (Id. ¶ 42.)

                                          6
       D.      Adjudication
       On July 1, 2022, the ALJ issued a Recommendation, with proposed findings
of fact and an opinion. First, the ALJ recommended denying YMCA’s Motion
finding there were genuine issues of material fact as to

       whether [YMCA] [wa]s entitled to an opportunity to correct
       deficiencies under 62 P.S. §1026(a), whether [DHS]’s revocation of
       [YMCA]’s [C]ertificate of [C]ompliance was contrary to law as written
       notice of the alleged violations was not served prior to the revocation,
       and whether [YMCA] [wa]s entitled to receive a provisional license if
       it was in substantial compliance with [Human Services] Code and
       [r]egulations.

(Adjudication at 19.)
       The ALJ then discussed whether DHS properly revoked YMCA’s Certificate
of Compliance to operate the Center. Because the Revocation Notice notified
YMCA of the alleged violations and advised YMCA to submit correction plans
within 15 days, the ALJ concluded DHS met its duty to notify under Section 1026(a)
of the Human Services Code. (Id. at 19-21.) To the extent YMCA argued the
Revocation Notice was sent to the incorrect mailing address, the ALJ reasoned that
there is no requirement in Section 1026 to provide notice prior to revocation, and,
notwithstanding, President and CEO received notice of the violations and DHS’s
decision to revoke, timely appealed, received reasonable notice of a hearing, and had
an opportunity to be heard at that hearing.3 (Id. at 20-21.) Although YMCA did not
dispute the violations, the ALJ found DHS had “more than sufficient grounds to

       3
           Aside from noting the alleged address discrepancy in its Statement of the Case in its brief,
(YMCA’s Br. at 5), YMCA does not make any arguments that the July 18, 2018 letter was
defective as a result thereof. Rather, YMCA’s argument is centered on the Revocation Notice sent
July 27, 2018, and received July 30, 2018, which was before it received DHS’s July 18, 2018 letter
on August 3, 2018. Thus, as discussed more fully in the parties’ arguments below, YMCA argues
its certificate was revoked before it had written notice of the alleged violations.

                                                  7
revoke” YMCA’s license to operate the Center based on the Incident and the
violations of Section 1026(b) and various regulations.4 (Id. at 20.)
        Last, the ALJ analyzed whether DHS properly revoked YMCA’s certification
without issuing a provisional license for the Center. The ALJ reasoned YMCA was
a licensee and not an applicant, preventing YMCA from being eligible for a
provisional license. (Id. at 21.) The ALJ further noted that even though YMCA did
immediately submit correction plans, it was not in substantial compliance with
regulations at the time of the Incident. (Id.) Moreover, the ALJ explained:

        The law does not provide an entitlement to a provisional certificate in
        the event a provider’s certificate is revoked. Burroughs v. Dep’t of Pub.
        Welfare, . . . 606 A.2d 606 (Pa. [Cmwlth.] 1992)[.] [DHS] has the
        express authority to refuse to issue or revoke a license for violation of
        the [Human Services] Code or regulations. Cities v. Dep’t of Pub.
        Welfare, . . . 548 A.2d 1345 (Pa. Cmwlth.[]1988). Furthermore, “any
        one such violation provides sufficient grounds for refusing a license.”
        Altagracia De Pena Family Day Care v. Dep’t of Pub. Welfare, 943
        A.2d 353 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2007); Pine Haven Residential Care Home v.
        Dep’t of Pub. Welfare, . . . 512 A.2d 59 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1986).

(Id.)

        4
            The specific provisions of Section 1026(b) for which YMCA was cited were:

        (1) Violation of or non-compliance with the provisions of this act or of regulations
            pursuant thereto;

              ....

        (4) Gross incompetence, negligence or misconduct in operating the facility; and

        (5) Mistreating or abusing individuals cared for in the facility.

62 P.S. § 1026(b)(1), (4)-(5). It was also cited for violating the following regulations: 55 Pa. Code
§§ 20.71(a)(5), (6), 3270.19(a), 3270.21, 3270.32(a), 3270.113(b), 3270.132(a), and 3270.182(7).

                                                  8
       The ALJ thus concluded that DHS properly exercised its discretion in
revoking YMCA’s certificate of compliance and recommended that YMCA’s appeal
should be denied. (Id. at 22-23.) By Order dated July 1, 2022, the BHA adopted
ALJ’s recommendation in full. (BHA Order.) YMCA timely petitioned this Court
for review.

II.    DISCUSSION
       On appeal,5 YMCA raises three issues.6 First, YMCA asserts DHS must
consider YMCA for a provisional license for the Center as YMCA was in substantial
compliance with applicable regulations.              YMCA argues it was in substantial
compliance because it has an extensive history of compliance, submitted correction
plans, and Certification Representative testified to this effect. Second, it argues
under Section 1026 of the Human Services Code, DHS must provide YMCA a
separate, written notice before revoking YMCA’s Certificate of Compliance to
operate the Center. For support, YMCA contends Section 1026(a)-(c) must be read
as a chronological process. Third, YMCA argues the BHA abused its discretion
when it denied YMCA’s Motion because YMCA posited questions of pure law.
       YMCA first argues DHS must have considered YMCA for a provisional
license for the Center under Section 1008 of the Human Services Code, 62 P.S. §
1008, and DHS’s failure to do so constitutes a violation of due process. YMCA
contends the language found in Section 1008(a) mandates DHS to issue a provisional
license when a facility shows it corrected its deficiencies, and corrective measures
are relevant to this determination. (YMCA’s Br. at 22-23.) YMCA cites KC

       5
         Our scope of review is “limited to determining whether an error of law was committed,
whether constitutional rights were violated,” and “whether necessary findings of fact are supported
by substantial evidence.” Altagracia De Pena Family Day Care, 943 A.2d at 356 n.3.
       6
         We have reordered YMCA’s arguments for ease of discussion.

                                                9
Equities v. Department of Public Welfare, 95 A.3d 918, 931 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2014),
and Miller Home, Inc. v. Department of Public Welfare, 556 A.2d 1, 3 n.12 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 1989), for the contention that the first provisional license is mandatory if a
facility shows it is in substantial compliance with regulations. YMCA emphasizes
that in these cases where a provisional license was not granted, the facilities first had
multiple opportunities to cure deficiencies and failed to do so. (YMCA’s Br. at 21-
22.) YMCA further distinguishes itself from these cases because it argues it is not a
“problem facility” with continuing deficiencies. (Id. at 25.)
      YMCA also asserts Certification Representative’s testimony supports the
proposition that provisional licenses are considered for facilities that are not in full
compliance, (id. at 23-24, 26), and it is uncontested that DHS did not consider
issuing YMCA a provisional license, (Stipulation of Facts ¶ 11, R.R. at 90a). YMCA
lastly argues its lack of serious violations in the history of its lengthy and vast
operations and the fact that it submitted correction plans almost immediately upon
receiving notice of revocation supports issuance of a provisional license. (YMCA’s
Br. at 25-27.)
      DHS responds by first stating YMCA acted in an “incompetent and negligent
manner[,]” entitling DHS to revoke YMCA’s license and cites Aaron’s Boarding
Home v. Department of Public Welfare, 541 A.2d 63 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1988), as support.
(DHS’s Br. at 20-22.) DHS further argues YMCA was not in substantial compliance
at the time of the Incident, and thus DHS properly denied considering YMCA for a
provisional license. (Id. at 22-26.) DHS also contends YMCA had the burden to
prove at the hearing that it was in substantial compliance at the time of the Incident,
which it failed to do.      (Id. at 25-29.)     DHS further contends Certification
Representative’s “testimony cannot change the plain meaning of [Section] 1008.”

                                           10
(Id. at 29.) Finally, DHS argues YMCA’s reputation and lack of serious violations
is irrelevant in determining whether a facility is entitled to a provisional license. (Id.
at 31.)
          Section 1008 of the Human Services Code governs provisional licenses and
provides:

          (a) When there has been substantial but not complete compliance with
          all the applicable statutes, ordinances and regulations and when the
          applicant has taken appropriate steps to correct deficiencies, [DHS]
          shall issue a provisional license.

          (b) [DHS] may issue a provisional license under this section when it is
          unable to assess compliance with all statutes, ordinances and
          regulations because the facility has not yet begun to operate.

          (c) A provisional license shall be for a specified period of not more than
          six months which may be renewed no more than three times.

          (d) Upon full compliance by the facility, [DHS] shall issue a regular
          license immediately.

62 P.S. § 1008. DHS’s regulations also provide that “[a] provisional certificate of
compliance is issued if the facility . . . is in substantial, but not complete, compliance
with applicable statutes, ordinances, and regulations.” 55 Pa. Code § 20.54(a).
          Generally, a facility must be in substantial compliance at the time of the
violation in order to be considered for a provisional license. KC Equities, 95 A.3d
at 931. In addition, licensees are eligible for provisional licenses, not just applicants.
Kidzoo Child Care Ctr. & Preschool v. Dep’t of Hum. Servs. (Pa. Cmwlth., No. 985
C.D. 2021, filed July 15, 2022), slip op. at 12.7

          7
         Unreported panel decisions of this Court may be cited for their persuasive value pursuant
to Rule 126(b)(1) of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure, Pa.R.A.P 126(b)(1)-(2), and
Section 414(a) of this Court’s Internal Operating Procedures, 210 Pa. Code § 69.414(a).

                                               11
       DHS argues that the Court here should follow Aaron’s in which this Court
held that an egregious violation can justify revocation without a provisional license.
541 A.2d at 65. However, Aaron’s is distinguishable. In Aaron’s, the Department
of Public Welfare (DPW)8 revoked the license of a personal care boarding home for
violation of Section 1026(b)(5). The letter sent by DPW stated that the decision to
revoke was

       based upon evidence we have received that Mr. John Aaron, acting in
       the capacity of provider, subjected residents . . . to physical and verbal
       abuse . . . . Mr. John Aaron yelled and swore and proceeded to hit, slap
       and choke a resident . . . inflicting bruises and drawing blood. The
       incident was witnessed and confirmed by other residents and staff . . . .

Aaron’s, 541 A.2d at 64 (emphasis in original). More specifically, it was not
disputed that Mr. Aaron, who committed the violation, was at times left in charge of
the facility, and the Court emphasized that he was “at various times [] in a
supervisory capacity . . . and was not the traditional employee one might find in this
situation. At the time of the incident [in question] . . . Mr. Aaron was in charge.”
Id. at 65 (emphasis added). In addition, the resident sought treatment at a hospital
emergency room. The Court found “[t]hese facts are most compelling and fully
support the revocation. . . .” Id. Therefore, the Court concluded that DPW properly
revoked the boarding home’s license based, not only on the nature of the incident,
but the fact that the incident was committed by an employee in a position of
supervisory authority, who was in charge of the facility, and not a “traditional
employee.” Id.

       8
        DPW subsequently changed its name to the DHS. Section 103 of the Human Services
Code, added by Section 2 of the Act of September 24, 2014, P.L. 2458, 62 P.S. § 103 (effective
November 24, 2014).

                                             12
      Thus, the Court in Aaron’s relied on both factors – the nature of the incident
and the authority of the employee involved in determining whether the facts
supported revocation of the license. However, in this case, DHS has examined only
the nature of the incident and has not considered the authority of the employees
involved. Unlike in Aaron’s, the employee who mistreated the child and the
employee who witnessed the mistreatment and did not report it were not in charge,
and had no supervisory authority. DHS did not take this into consideration or discuss
the correction plan proposed by those in authority regarding how they would prevent
any future reoccurrence before permanently revoking the license.
      DHS’s failure is particularly problematic in this case, where there is no history
or pattern of violations. This Court has found a lack of substantial compliance where
a licensee has a history of violations or continues to repeat the same violations. Lil
Shining Stars, Inc. v. Dep’t of Hum. Servs., 140 A.3d 83, 97 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2016);
Liberty Manor Personal Care Home v. Dep’t of Pub. Welfare (Pa. Cmwlth., No. 979
C.D. 2014, filed Apr. 17, 2015), slip op. at 24-25. However, when a licensee does
not have a history or pattern of violations, this Court has held the licensee should be
issued a provisional license. In Kidzoo, a nine-year-old child tricked his teacher into
believing he was using the restroom, snuck out the front door, and hid behind bushes
before heading home. The facility in Kidzoo reported the incident and the child was
returned to the facility the same day, which the Court found was “clear evidence that
the mother believed it was her son’s conduct, rather than gross incompetence,
negligence, or misconduct on the part of [the facility], that caused the violation.”
Slip op. at 12-13. The facility was not cited for any repeat violations, was never
issued a provisional license, and only received citations for minor violations up until
the incident in question. Id. at 12. The Court in Kidzoo held the facility established

                                          13
it was in substantial compliance and was entitled to a provisional license and DHS
erred by revoking its license and refusing to issue a provisional license. Id. at 13.
      The Center has been in operation for over 40 years, and YMCA currently
operates 30 other facilities that are in good standing with valid certificates of
compliance. (FOF ¶¶ 1-2, 26.) The Center, in its 40-year history of operations, has
only been cited for minor violations until the Incident. (Id. ¶ 4.) YMCA, indeed, is
not a “problem facility,” (YMCA’s Br. at 25), with a history or pattern of violations.
DHS’s inspections on April 27, 2018, and June 28, 2018, which resulted in the
violations and resultant revocation, stemmed from the single Incident; DHS did not
cite any other violations during these inspections. As previously noted, neither the
employee who mistreated the child nor the employee who witnessed the abuse and
did not report it were in charge or supervisors; rather, the Incident was committed
by a “traditional employee.” Aaron’s, 541 A.2d at 65. YMCA, once it learned of
the Incident and the failure to report, reported the Incident immediately, fired the
two employees, and took the necessary steps to insure its employees were aware of
their duties.   (FOF ¶¶ 11, 12.)       YMCA further submitted correction plans
immediately once it received the Revocation Notice. (Id. ¶ 23.)
      There was no evaluation of the correction plans and no opportunity for YMCA
to demonstrate that it could make the necessary changes, which would enable it to
continue to provide services. We have stated that, “[c]ertainly, we would not expect
[YMCA] or any other entity in this particular industry to maintain 100% compliance
at all times during their respective operations[.]” Lil Shining Stars, 140 A.3d at 97.
We do not minimize the seriousness of the Incident that occurred. Once fully
informed of the Incident, YMCA has not minimized its seriousness and its remaining
facilities continue to operate without incident. Given these facts, this case is

                                          14
distinguishable from Aaron’s, and DHS erred in finding it directly applicable. This
case is more akin to Kidzoo where we found the facility was in substantial
compliance and deserved a provisional license.               Accordingly, DHS erred by
revoking YMCA’s license without considering it for a provisional license. For these
reasons, the BHA’s order is reversed.9

                                            __________________________________________
                                            RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, President Judge

      9
          Given our disposition, it is unnecessary to address YMCA’s other arguments.

                                               15
       IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Harrisburg Area YMCA,                   :
                        Petitioner      :
                                        :
                v.                      :   No. 799 C.D. 2022
                                        :
Department of Human Services,           :
                      Respondent        :

                                     ORDER

     NOW, October 19, 2023, the Order of the Department of Human Services,
Bureau of Hearings and Appeals, entered in the above-captioned matter, is
REVERSED.

                                      __________________________________________
                                      RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, President Judge