TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF COUNSELING

Initial Agency Notice

Title of Regulation: 18VAC115-80. Regulations Governing the Registration of Qualified Mental Health Professionals.

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400, 54.1-3500, and 54.1-3505 of the Code of Virginia.

Name of Petitioner: Kathy Johnson.

Nature of Petitioner's Request: The petitioner requests that the Board of Counseling license qualified mental health professionals (QMHPs) as licensed mental health professionals. The petitioner states that QMHPs are highly trained in the behavioral aspect of mental health and many hold masters degrees or higher.

Agency Plan for Disposition of Request: The petition for rulemaking will be published in the Virginia Register of Regulations on April 24, 2023. The petition will also be published on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive public comment, which will open on April 24, 2023, and close on May 24, 2023. The board will consider the petition at its next meeting after the close of public comment, currently scheduled for July 21, 2023. The petitioner will be notified of the board's decision after that meeting.

Public Comment Deadline: May 24, 2023.

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

VA.R. Doc. No. PFR23-25; Filed March 22, 2023, 3:36 p.m.