Guidance Documents
Vol. 36 Iss. 14 - March 02, 2020

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY

Pursuant to § 2.2-4002.1 of the Code of Virginia, a certified guidance document is subject to a 30-day public comment period after publication in the Virginia Register of Regulations and prior to the guidance document's effective date. During the public comment period, comments may be made through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website (http://www.townhall.virginia.gov) or sent to the agency contact. Under subsection C of § 2.2-4002.1, the effective date of the guidance document may be delayed for an additional period. The guidance document may also be withdrawn.

The following guidance documents have been submitted for publication by the listed agencies for a public comment period. Online users of this issue of the Virginia Register of Regulations may click on the name of a guidance document to access it. Guidance documents are also available on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall (http://www.townhall.virginia.gov) or from the agency contact or may be viewed at the Office of the Registrar of Regulations, 900 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY

Title of Document: Virginia Board of Accountancy Policy #1 Trust Account.

Public Comment Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Effective Date: April 2, 2020.

Agency Contact: Nancy Glynn, Executive Director, Board of Accountancy, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 402, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-8540, or email nancy.glynn@boa.virginia.gov.

BOARD OF COUNSELING

Title of Document: Guidance on Emotional Support Animals.

Public Comment Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Effective Date: April 2, 2020.

Agency Contact: Elaine J. Yeatts, Agency Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Health Professions, Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4688, or email elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov.

BOARD OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Title of Document: Virginia Homeless and Special Needs Housing Funding Guidelines, 2020–2022.

Public Comment Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Effective Date: April 2, 2020.

Agency Contact: Kyle Flanders, Senior Policy Analyst, Department of Housing and Community Development, Main Street Centre, 600 East Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-6761, or email kyle.flanders@dhcd.virginia.gov.

BOARD OF OPTOMETRY

Title of Document: Virginia Board of Optometry Bylaws.

Public Comment Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Effective Date: April 2, 2020.

Agency Contact: Elaine J. Yeatts, Agency Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Health Professions, Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4688, or email elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Title of Document: Locally Administered Projects Manual.

Public Comment Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Effective Date: April 2, 2020.

Agency Contact: Jo Anne P. Maxwell, Regulatory Coordinator, Policy Division, Department of Transportation, 11th Floor, 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-1830, or email joanne.maxwell@vdot.virginia.gov.

ANNUAL LIST

Section 2.2-4103.1 of the Code of Virginia requires annual publication in the Virginia Register of Regulations of guidance document lists from state agencies. A guidance document is defined as "…any document developed by a state agency or staff that provides information or guidance of general applicability to the staff or public to interpret or implement statutes or the agency's rules or regulations..." Agencies are required to maintain a complete, current list of all guidance documents and make the full text of such documents available to the public.

Generally, the format for the guidance document list is: document number (if any), title of document, date issued or last revised, and citation of Virginia Administrative Code regulatory authority or Code of Virginia statutory authority. Questions concerning documents or requests for copies of documents should be directed to the contact person listed by the agency.

VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM

Copies of the following documents may be viewed during regular work days from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the office of the Virginia Retirement System, 1200 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Copies may be obtained free of charge by contacting Wendy Jenkins, at the same address, telephone (804) 775-3499, or email wjenkins@varetire.org. The documents may be downloaded from the Virginia Retirement System website at www.varetire.org and www.varetire.org/hybrid.

Questions regarding interpretation of benefit plan provisions or implementation of procedures outlined in these documents may be directed to Cynthia Wilkinson, Director of Policy, Planning and Compliance, Virginia Retirement System, 1200 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (888) 827-3847, FAX (804) 786-1541, or email cwilkinson@varetire.org.

Guidance Documents:

2019 Legislative Summary, published April 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

457 Deferred Compensation Plan Features and Highlights, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 6.6.1

457 Deferred Compensation and Cash Match Plan Features and Highlights, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 6,6.1

Approved Domestic Relations Orders Guide, revised January 2016, Addendum January 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 1

Benefits for VRS Members, revised June 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Choose the Plan and Provider That’s Right for You – Optional Retirement Plan for Higher Education, revised May 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 1

Choosing Your Retirement Plan – Plan 1 – Optional Retirement Plan for Higher Education, Membership Date: Before July 1, 2010, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 1

Choosing Your Retirement Plan – Plan 2 – Optional Retirement Plan for Higher Education, Membership Date: July 1, 2010 – December 31, 2013, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 1

Choosing Your Retirement Plan – Hybrid Retirement Plan, Membership Date: On or after January 1, 2014, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 1

Choosing Your Retirement Plan – Plan 1 – Optional Retirement Plan for Political Appointees, Membership Date: Before July 1, 2010, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1-126.5

Choosing Your Retirement Plan – Plan 2 – Optional Retirement Plan for Political Appointees, Membership Date: July 1, 2010 – December 31, 2013, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1-126.5

Choosing Your Retirement Plan – Optional Retirement Plan for Political Appointees – Hybrid Retirement Plan, Membership Date: On or after January 1, 2014, revised December 2017, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1-126.5

Choosing Your Retirement Plan – Plan 1 – the Optional Retirement Plan for School Superintendents, Membership Date: Before July 1, 2010, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1-126.6

Choosing Your Retirement Plan – Plan 2 – Optional Retirement Plan for School Superintendents, Membership Date: July 1, 2010 – December 31, 2013, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1-126.6

Choosing Your Retirement Plan – Optional Retirement Plan for School Superintendents – Hybrid Retirement Plan, Membership Date: On or after January 1, 2014, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1-126.6

Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, published annually, last published December 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Counseling Checklist for New Hybrid Retirement Plan Member, revised September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1- 7

Defined Contribution Plan Payroll Guide for Political Subdivisions, School Divisions and Decentralized State Employers, revised April 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 6.6.1

Disability Retirement Checklist for Employers, revised September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Employer Manual, revised July 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Employer Update – published monthly online, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Enhanced Benefits for Eligible Political Subdivision Hazardous Duty Employees Handbook for Members – Plan 1, revised July 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 2, 2.1

Enhanced Benefits for Eligible Political Subdivision Hazardous Duty Employees Handbook for Members – Plan 2, revised December 2019, addendum July 1, 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 2, 2.1

Fee Disclosure Notice for Defined Contribution Plan, published October 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 6, 6.1

Fee Disclosure Notice for Optional Retirement Plan for Higher Education, June 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Focus Newsletter for Participants in Hybrid Retirement Plan and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, posted quarterly, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Get Organized Guide, published September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Getting Ready to Retire Guide, revised September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Getting Ready to Retire Guide for Hybrid Members, revised, May 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 1

How to Designate Your Beneficiary – VRS Defined Contribution Plans, published June 2017, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Hybrid Contributions Illustration, published October 2017, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 1

Hybrid Retirement Plan Features and Highlights Brochure, revised October 2019, Title 51.1-169

Hybrid Retirement Plan – Handbook for Members, revised August 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1- 7

Hybrid Retirement Plan Roadmap, revised May 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Investment Guide, Commonwealth of Virginia Defined Contribution Plans, revised September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1,6,6.1

Investment Option Performance Commonwealth of Virginia Defined Contribution Plans, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6.1

Investment Policy Statement for the Unbundled Defined Contribution Plans, revised February 9, 2017, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Judicial Retirement System – Handbook for Members in the JRS Plan 1, JRS Plan 2, and the JRS Hybrid Retirement Plan, revised March 2017, Addendum July 1, 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1,3

Leaving Employment Guide, Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Virginia Cash Match Plan, revised June 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Leaving Employment Guide Defined Contribution Component Hybrid Retirement Plan, revised June 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Leaving Employment Guide, Optional Retirement Plans, revised June 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 2

Losing a Loved One: Guide for Families, revised June 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 2, 2.1, 3, 5

Member News, published online February, May, September, and November, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Model Language for Domestic Relations Orders – Defined Benefit Plan, revised August 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Model Language for Domestic Relations Orders – Defined Contribution Plan Accounts, revised August 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Model Language for Domestic Relations Orders – Optional Retirement Plan for Employees of Institutions of Higher Education Accounts, published July 2007, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Optional Retirement Plan for Higher Education Handbook, revised July 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Optional Retirement Plan for Higher Education Plan Features and Highlights, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Optional Retirement Plan for Political Appointees Plan Features and Highlights, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Optional Retirement Plan for Political Appointees Plan: Choose the Plan That's Right for You, published October 2017, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Optional Retirement Plan for School Superintendents Plan Features and Highlights, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Payroll Guide for Commonwealth Integrated Payroll Personnel System - Reporting State Agencies, revised July 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Payroll Guide for Political Subdivisions, School Divisions and Decentralized State Employers, revised April 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Popular Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, published annually, last published December 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Quick and Easy Access to Your Account VRS Defined Contribution Plans, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Quicken Instructions VRS Defined Contribution Plans, revised June 2017, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Retiree Handbook, revised May 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Retiree News – published semiannually, June, December, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) Checklist VRS Defined Contribution Plans, revised November 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Return-to-Work Checklist for Employers, revised September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Service Retirement Checklist for Employers, revised September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Special Tax Notice - Hybrid 401(a), revised July 2017, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Special Tax Notice - Hybrid 457, revised July 2017, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Special Tax Notice – VRS Defined Benefit Plans, revised December 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

Stable Value Fund Disclosure, revised May 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

State Police Officers' Retirement System Handbook – Plan 1, revised July 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 14

State Police Officers' Retirement System Handbook – Plan 2, Revised March 2017, addendum July 1, 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 14

Transitional Benefits Program Enhance Retirement Benefit Checklist for Employers, revised April 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 2, 2.1

Understanding myVRS Navigator's Calculations and Business Rules, revised March 2013, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 14

Understanding myVRS Navigator's Calculations and Business Rules for Employees Who Work less than 12 Months, revised March 2013, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 14

Virginia Disability Retirement Employer Manual, revised July 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System Handbook – Plan 1, revised July 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 14

Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System Handbook – Plan 2, revised December 2018, Addendum July 1, 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 14

Virginia Local Disability Program Long-Term Care Plan Brochure, revised February 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 11.1

Virginia Local Disability Program Handbook – Handbook for Employees in the VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan whose School Division or Political Subdivision Participates in Virginia Local Disability Program , revised November 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 11.1

Virginia Local Disability Program Employer Manual, revised September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 11.1

Virginia Retirement System Disability Retirement Handbook for Members – Plans 1 and 2, revised January 2017, Addendum July 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

Virginia Sickness and Disability Program – Handbook for State Employees in the Virginia Retirement System, State Police Officers' Retirement System and Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System, revised September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 11

Virginia Sickness and Disability Program Benefits Employer Manual, revised September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 11

Virginia Retirement System Handbook for Members – Plan 1, revised July 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 14

Virginia Retirement System Handbook for Members – Plan 2, revised July 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 14

Virginia Supplemental 401(a) Retirement Plan for Middle School Specialists Plan Features and Highlights, revised October 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1, 6, 6.1

VRS 101: An Introduction to the Virginia Retirement System, published January 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 14

VRS Investment Portfolio Disclosure, revised September 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

VRS Plan Comparison Guide, revised November 2017, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7

VSDP Long-Term Care Plan Brochure, revised July 2018, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapter 1

Workforce Transition Act Retirement Checklist for Employers, revised April 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 14 

Your Retirement Handbook for Hybrid Retirement Plan Retirees, published January 2019, Code of Virginia, Title 51.1, Chapters 1-7