Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Board of Education intends to consider repealing 8VAC20-780, Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers, and promulgating 8VAC20-781, Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers. The purpose of the proposed action is to address the regulation's structure and format and provide clarification where burdensome and confusing language makes it difficult for the public to accurately interpret the regulation. Repeal of the existing regulation and adoption of a new regulation will allow greater flexibility to adjust the structure, format, and language of the current regulation; remove requirements found in the Code of Virginia; and incorporate updates to address changing national health and safety guidelines and practices, as well as pursuant to the Executive Order 19 (2022) while preserving protection of the health, safety, and welfare of children in care in programs regulated by the Department of Education. A comprehensive, yearlong review of the regulation using a workgroup made up of key stakeholders, including multiple child day center leaders and practitioners, resulted in the regulation intended to replace the regulation transferred to the Department of Education from the Department of Social Services pursuant to Chapters 860 and 861 of the 2020 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: §§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-289.046 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: January 31, 2024.

Agency Contact: Jim Chapman, Director of Board Relations, Department of Education, James Monroe Building,101 North 14th Street, 25th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 750-8750, or email jim.chapman@doe.virginia.gov.