Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Criminal Justice Services Board intends to consider amending 6VAC20-60, Rules Relating to Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for Dispatchers. The purpose of the proposed action is to amend the regulation as a result of a periodic review and small business impact review, and 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 proposed substantive amendments being considered include requiring dispatcher academies to have coursework approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) prior to the first scheduled class and enhancing training by requiring that dispatchers complete in-service training. Other proposed revisions to the regulation will remove dated language and add clarifying language where appropriate.

The regulation identifies broad training categories. Specific performance outcomes, training objectives, criteria for testing, and lesson plan guides are located on the DCJS website. The proposed action will add a reference to the DCJS website to assist dispatchers in locating the Virginia Criminal Justice Services Training Manual and Compulsory Minimum Training Standards - Performance Outcomes for Dispatchers. In addition, DCJS will review and consider the appropriateness of setting a minimum number of training hours for basic dispatcher training as part of this action.

The agency does not intend to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: July 27, 2016.

Agency Contact: Barbara Peterson-Wilson, Law Enforcement Program Coordinator, Department of Criminal Justice Services, 1100 Bank Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 225-4503, FAX (804) 786-0410, or email barbara.peterson-wilson@dcjs.virginia.gov.