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 promulgating 12VAC5-416, Sexual Assault Survivor Treatment and Transfer Regulation. The purpose of the proposed action is to implement Chapter 725 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly, which requires the board to promulgate regulations to effectuate the act, specifically to establish the standards for review and approval of sexual assault survivor transfer plans, pediatric sexual assault survivor transfer plans, sexual assault survivor treatment plans, and pediatric sexual assault survivor treatment plans. As the requirement to have such plans extends to hospitals, clinics, and physician's offices, no existing regulatory chapter best fits this mandate; therefore the board intends to promulgate a new regulatory chapter for these standards.

The agency does not intend to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 32.1-12, 32.1-162.15:4, 32.1-162.15:5, and 32.1-162.15:6 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: March 31, 2021.

Agency Contact: Rebekah E. Allen, Senior Policy Analyst, Department of Health, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 401, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-2102, FAX (804) 527-4502, or email regulatorycomment@vdh.virginia.gov.