Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Board of Social Services intends to consider amending 22VAC40-705, Child Protective Services. The purpose of the proposed action is to comply with 2017 legislative changes and applicable federal law. The action will address changes in the Code of Virginia, comments from any workgroup convened to review the regulation, and comments received during the public comment period for this Notice of Intended Regulatory Action. The agency plans to (i) amend provisions regarding substance-exposed infants in accordance with Chapters 176 and 428 of the 2017 Acts of Assembly; (ii) amend provisions related to active duty members of the United States Armed Forces in accordance with Chapters 88 and 142 of the 2017 Acts of Assembly; (iii) consider adding a new provision for a 24-hour child protective services response to reports alleging abuse or neglect of a child under the age of two years based on Chapter 604 of the 2017 Acts of Assembly; and (iv) consider changes in response to recommendations made by a workgroup examining barriers to treatment for substance-exposed infants established in Chapter 197 of the 2017 Acts of Assembly.

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

Statutory Authority: § 63.2-217 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: December 13, 2017.

Agency Contact: Mary Walter, Program Consultant, Child Protective Services, Department of Social Services, 801 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 726-7569, FAX (804) 726-7499, or email mary.walter@dss.virgnia.gov.