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 promulgating the following regulation: 12VAC5-105, Rabies Regulations. The purpose of the proposed action is to implement the revisions made to certain rabies related sections of the Code of Virginia by the 2010 Acts of Assembly. These regulations will inform and add detail to the five rabies related sections of the Code of Virginia that were modified and one completely new section that was developed as part of Chapters 182 and 834 of the 2010 Acts of Assembly. Specific goals of these regulations include: developing a system for rabies vaccine exemptions, creating definitions for common terms in the rabies related laws, and developing a model plan for rabies exposure response at the local level.

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

Statutory Authority: § 32.1-12 of the Code of Virginia and the second enactment of Chapter 834 of the 2010 Acts of Assembly.

Public Comment Deadline: December 22, 2010.

Agency Contact: Julia Murphy, DVM, State Epidemiological Veterinarian, Department of Health, 109 Governor Street, 5th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 864-8113, FAX (804) 864-8131, or email julia.murphy@vdh.virginia.gov.