Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Juvenile Justice intends to consider amending 6VAC35-180, Regulations Governing Mental Health Services Transition Plans for Incarcerated Juveniles. The purpose of the proposed action is to conduct a comprehensive review and amendment of this existing regulatory chapter to ensure that the regulation (i) establishes requirements that are feasible for applicable staff in juvenile correctional centers, court service units, and postdispositional programs operated by juvenile detention centers; (ii) is not broader in scope than intended by the governing statute; and (iii) includes provisions aimed at successfully transitioning youth with recognized mental health, substance abuse, or other treatment needs from these facilities to the community. The Regulation Governing Mental Health Service Transition Plans for Incarcerated Juveniles (6VAC35-180) establishes a process for ensuring the provision of post-release services for juveniles committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice or detained in a postdispositional program who have been identified as having a recognized mental health, substance abuse, or other therapeutic treatment need. The department has not amended this regulation since it took effect in 2008.

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

Statutory Authority: §§ 16.1-293.1 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: March 16, 2022.

Agency Contact: Ken Davis, Regulatory Affairs Coordinator, Department of Juvenile Justice, 600 East Main Street, 20th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 807-0486, FAX (804) 371-6490, or email kenneth.davis@djj.virginia.gov.