HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Even though Governor Tom Corbett has, by order, created new policies to regulate Pennsylvania abortion clinics, a key state senator says lawmakers will still seek a new law to make sure there is no repeat of the nightmare at Kermit Gosnell’s West Philadelphia clinic.

Republican Pat Vance, chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, is glad Governor Corbett has taken action on his own to regulate abortion clinics.

“But we need to put it in statute so that oncoming governors and secretaries of health will have something in law rather than policy,” Vance said.

Vance’s Senate committee and the House Health Committee held a joint hearing to question the governor’s health secretary nominee, Dr. Eli Avila, who said he will play a personal role in regulation.

“And make sure that everyone in my department, and throughout the Commonwealth, realizes that they’re responsible,” Dr. Avila said. “And that they need to be aware of this and they need to be part of the community, and make sure something this horrific happens again.”

Avila says that starts in his office, and he takes it seriously.

Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio