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 22VAC40-201, Permanency Services - Prevention, Foster Care, Adoption, and Independent Living. The purpose of the proposed action is to (i) align the regulation with Chapters 282, 301, 437, 446, and 677 of the 2019 Acts of Assembly; (ii) align the regulation with changes in federal law resulting from the 2018 Family First Prevention Services Act; and (iii) make other changes the agency deems necessary after comments and review. The proposed action will include changes to regulations on credit freezes, notification of a child with a developmental disability, qualified residential treatment programs, relative search and notification, placement authority of the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, a foster care complaint system, birth parent engagement, and caseload standard.

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: February 19, 2020.

Agency Contact: Em Parente, Department of Social Services, 801 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 726-7895, FAX (804) 726-7538, or email em.parente@dss.virginia.gov.