Title of Regulation: 18VAC140-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work (amending 18VAC140-20-10, 18VAC140-20-50).

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

The Board of Social Work has filed a notice of objection to the fast-track rulemaking action for 18VAC140-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work.The fast-track regulation was published in Volume 35, Issue 22, pages 2623-2627 of the Virginia Register of Regulations, on June 24, 2019. A 30-day public comment period was provided, and public comment was received through July 24, 2019.

The fast-track regulation was intended to (i) clarify that the definition of "face-to-face" includes the contact a supervisee and a client must have, (ii) reduce the number of hours of continuing education required to become an approved supervisor, and (iii) eliminate the requirement that those hours must be repeated every five years to remain an approved supervisor.

The board received more than the requisite 10 objections to the amendments. Due to the objections, the board has discontinued using the fast-track rulemaking process. The board will decide whether to proceed with adoption of the amendments using the standard process under Article 2 (§ 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act (APA) or withdraw the action.

If the board decides to move forward with the standard APA process, in accordance with § 2.2-4012.1 of the Code of Virginia, the publication on June 24, 2019, will serve as a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action.

Agency Contact: Jaime Hoyle, Executive Director, Board of Social Work, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4406, FAX (804) 527-4435, or email jaime.hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov.