Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Optometry intends to consider amending 18VAC105-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Optometry. The purpose of the proposed action is to address the opioid abuse crisis in Virginia by adopting regulations for optometrists prescribing controlled substances containing opioids. The regulations for the management of acute pain include requirements for (i) prescribing a dosage not to exceed seven days, (ii) evaluation of the patient, and (iii) limitations on quantity. Requirements for prescribing an opioid beyond seven days include a reevaluation of the patient, check of the Prescription Monitoring Program, and specific information in the patient record. In addition, if a therapeutic pharmaceutical agent-certified optometrist finds an opioid prescription for chronic pain is necessary, he must refer the patient to a physician or comply with Board of Medicine regulation for managing chronic pain.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: December 13, 2017.

Agency Contact: Leslie L. Knachel, Executive Director, Board of Optometry, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4508, FAX (804) 527-4471, or email leslie.knachel@dhp.virginia.gov.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Pharmacy intends to consider amending 18VAC110-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Pharmacy. The purpose of the proposed action is to require an applicant as a pharmacist, a pharmacy intern, or a pharmacy technician to obtain an e-profile ID number that may be utilized by the applicant and the board to track discipline, exam scores, and continuing education. There is no cost to applicants to obtain the number, and there is no cost to the board for using an e-profile ID number to get information from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: December 13, 2017.

Agency Contact: Caroline Juran, RPh, Executive Director, Board of Pharmacy, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4456, FAX (804) 527-4472, or email caroline.juran@dhp.virginia.gov.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services intends to consider amending 22VAC30-30, Provision of Independent Living Rehabilitation Services. The purpose of the proposed action is to comply with 45 CFR Part 1329, which implements The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 for the independent living program and independent living services, and ensure that Virginia's centers for independent living receiving federal funds comply with federal regulations. In addition, this action will bring the regulation up to date with the changes in the independent living movement that have occurred since this regulation was last amended. This action will protect the welfare of citizens because it stipulates the specific, core independent living services that are required by the federal regulations and will allow the individual centers the flexibility to provide additional services that are needed by their specific geographical areas if there are additional funding sources available.

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

Statutory Authority: § 51.5-131 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: December 13, 2017.

Agency Contact: Vanessa S. Rakestraw, Ph.D., CRC, Policy Analyst, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, 8004 Franklin Farms Drive, Richmond, VA 23229, telephone (804) 662-7612, FAX (804) 662-7663, TTY (800) 464-9950, or email vanessa.rakestraw@dars.virginia.gov.

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.