Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services intends to consider promulgating 22VAC30-140, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and amending 22VAC30-60, Grants to Area Agencies on Aging. The purpose of the proposed action is to repeal 22VAC30-60-570, 22VAC30-60-580, and 22VAC30-60-590 regarding the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (OSLTCO) and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (SLTCOP) and amend several additional sections within 22VAC30-60 that include OSLTCO and the SLTCOP references or content to fully execute the move of program requirements to a single new chapter. The new chapter will more clearly present OSLTCO and SLTCOP requirements and update the regulation provisions to incorporate new requirements stemming from the 2006 reauthorization of the federal Older Americans Act (P.L. 109-365) and its ensuing federal regulations (45 CFR Parts 1321 and 1324), aligning Virginia's regulations for OSLTCO and SLTCOP operations with the federal requirements.

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

Statutory Authority: § 51.5-131 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 3001 et seq.

Public Comment Deadline: March 6, 2019.

Agency Contact: Charlotte Arbogast, Policy Advisor, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, 8004 Franklin Farms Drive, Richmond, VA 23229, telephone (804) 662-7093, FAX (804) 662-7663, TTY (800) 464-9950, or email charlotte.arbogast@dars.virginia.gov.