Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services intends to consider amending 12VAC35-46, Regulations for Children's Residential Facilities. The purpose of the proposed action is to align licensing regulations with the American Society of Addiction Medicine Levels of Care Criteria or an equivalent set of criteria to ensure individualized, clinically driven, participant-directed, and outcome-informed treatment pursuant to Item 318 of Chapter 1289 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly (Appropriation Act of 2020). The proposed action incorporates best practices in the department's licensing regulations to promote recovery from the disease of addiction.

The agency does not intend to hold a public hearing at the proposed stage.

Statutory Authority: §§ 37.2-408 and 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: March 3, 2021.

Agency Contact: John Cimino, Licensing Legal and Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, 1220 Bank Street P.O. Box 1797, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 298-3279, FAX (804) 692-0066, TDD (804) 371-8977, or email john.cimino@dbhds.virginia.gov.