Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Board of Health intends to consider amending 12VAC5-412, Regulations for Licensure of Abortion Facilities. The purpose of the proposed action is to amend the regulations based on the findings of a periodic review. As a result of the review, the Department of Health determined it is necessary to use the regulatory process to amend these regulations as follows: (i) clarify the requirements for parental consent; (ii) insert additional best practices regarding medical testing and laboratory services; (iii) insert additional best practices regarding anesthesia service; (iv) align the requirements for administration, storage, and dispensing of drugs more precisely with the Code of Virginia; (v) align the requirements regarding emergency services more specifically with medical best practices; and (vi) update the requirements for facility design and construction.

This Notice of Intended Regulatory Action serves as the report of the findings of the regulatory review pursuant to § 2.2-4007.1 of the Code of Virginia.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: February 11, 2015.

Agency Contact: Susan Horn, Policy Analyst, Licensure and Certification, Department of Health, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 401, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-2157, FAX (804) 527-4502, or email susan.horn@vdh.virginia.gov.