Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Board of Health intends to consider amending 12VAC5-410, Regulations for the Licensure of Hospitals in Virginia. The purpose of the proposed action is to amend the regulation to comply with § 32.1-127 B 18 of the Code of Virginia, enacted by Chapter 661 of the 2015 Acts of Assembly, which requires the board to adopt regulations requiring each hospital that provides obstetrical services to establish policies to follow when a stillbirth occurs. The policies must meet the guidelines pertaining to counseling patients and their families and other aspects of managing stillbirths as may specified by the board.

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

Statutory Authority: §§ 32.1-123 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: March 11, 2016.

Agency Contact: Susan Puglisi, Policy Analyst, Department of Health, 9960 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-2157, FAX (804) 527-4502, or email susan.puglisi@vdh.virginia.gov.