Title of Regulation: 18VAC85-80. Regulations Governing the Practice of Occupational Therapy (amending 18VAC85-80-10, 18VAC85-80-26, 18VAC85-80-70, 18VAC85-80-71).

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

The Governor has approved the request of the Board of Medicine to extend the expiration date of the emergency regulation for 18VAC85-80 for six months as provided for in § 2.2-4011 D of the Code of Virginia. Therefore, the emergency regulation is continued in effect through December 29, 2023. This extension is required because the regulatory action is necessary to conform regulation to Chapter 242 of the 2021 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I, which enters Virginia into the Occupational Therapy Interjurisdictional Compact and requires the board to promulgate regulations to implement the legislation. The board promulgated an emergency action, which is currently effective but set to expire on June 30, 2023. The Board of Medicine voted on proposed regulations to replace the emergency regulations at its April 8, 2022, and submitted the proposed regulations for executive branch review. The board therefore requests an extension of the emergency regulations. The emergency regulation was published in 38:11 VA.R. 1124-1126 January 17, 2022.

Effective Date Extended Through: December 29, 2023.

Agency Contact: William L. Harp, M.D., Executive Director, Board of Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4558, FAX (804) 527-4429, or email william.harp@dhp.virginia.gov.