TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF COUNSELING

Initial Agency Notice

Title of Regulation: 18VAC115-50. Regulations Governing the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy.

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

Name of Petitioner: David and Suzanne Mikkelson.

Nature of Petitioner's Request: To amend 18VAC115-50-55 to reduce the required internship number of hours of experience with couples and families from 200 to 120 of the required 240 hours.

Agency Plan for Disposition of Request: In accordance with Virginia law, the petition will be filed with the Registrar of Regulations and published on October 14, 2019, with comment requested until November 13, 2019. It will also be placed on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and available for comments to be posted electronically. At its first meeting following the close of comment, which is scheduled for February 7, 2020, the board will consider the request to amend regulations and all comment received in support or opposition. The petitioner will be informed of the board's response and any action it approves.

Public Comment Deadline: November 13, 2019.

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

VA.R. Doc. No. R20-11 Filed September 16, 2019, 12:24 p.m.