Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers intends to consider amending 18VAC65-40, Regulations for the Funeral Service Internship Program. The purpose of the proposed action is to (i) require training to be completed within not less than 18 months nor more than 60 months, and that the board only consider extensions for extenuating circumstances; (ii) require supervisors to register for supervision of each funeral service intern, with an expiration for the registration after 60 months or at the completion of the intern's training, whichever occurs first, in order to allow the board to track active supervisors and make sure supervisors are in good standing; and (iii) add a requirement that interns be identified to the public as interns in titles, correspondence, and communications with the public. Amendments for clarifications and to reduce the number of internship hours currently required also may be considered.

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: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2817 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: August 7, 2019.

Agency Contact: Corie Tillman-Wolf, Executive Director, Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4424, FAX (804) 527-4637, or email corie.wolf@dhp.virginia.gov.