Gov. David Ige signed a bill into law Friday ensuring care homes for the elderly and disabled have proper licensing and certification required by the Department of Health, with violators subject to a misdemeanor criminal offense.

Rep. John Mizuno (D-Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, a portion of Lower Kalihi), who authored House Bill 1911 (Act 148), said the problem of unregulated and illegal care homes “has exploded in the last two years.” The new law, now in effect, requires care homes to follow building codes and safety guidelines for health care facilities, undergo annual and unannounced inspections, conduct criminal background checks of employees and obtain proper business licensing and liability insurance.

It also is now unlawful for a hospital, nurse, social worker or health planner to refer a patient to an unlicensed or uncertified health care facility.

Hawaii has 2,000 licensed, certified community care homes serving 13,000 patients, according to Mizuno.