Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Medicine intends to consider amending 18VAC85-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatry, and Chiropractic. The purpose of the proposed action is to address the need for additional public protection in the administration of office-based anesthesia in response to a petition for rulemaking published in 31:6 VA.R. 343 November 17, 2014. Specific amendments recommended by the petitioner will be considered, as well as comments received on the petition and on this Notice of Intended Regulatory Action.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2912.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Agency Contact: William L. Harp, M.D., Executive Director, Board of Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4621, FAX (804) 527-4429, or email william.harp@dhp.virginia.gov.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Medicine intends to consider adopting 18VAC85-170, Regulations Governing the Practice of Genetic Counselors, in accordance with Chapters 10 and 266 of the 2014 Acts of Assembly. The purpose of the proposed action is to (i) ensure minimal competency for practice and continued competency for renewal of licensure and (ii) establish standards of conduct for safe practice.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2957.18 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Agency Contact: William L. Harp, M.D., Executive Director, Board of Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4558, FAX (804) 527-4429, or email william.harp@dhp.virginia.gov.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Pharmacy intends to consider amending 18VAC110-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Pharmacy. The purpose of the proposed action is to establish standards for collection sites similar to those required by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in order for the board to inspect for and enforce standards for collection of controlled substances. If requirements for collection and destruction are not followed and there is risk of commingling with existing stocks, there may be opportunity for diversion of donated drugs or adulteration of controlled substances. Designation of authorized collection sites will facilitate the disposal of unused prescription drugs, which in turn reduces the supply of such drugs for abuse and diversion. However, the collection must be handled in a manner that protects the drugs until destruction in compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

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

Public Comment Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Agency Contact: Caroline Juran, RPh, Executive Director, Board of Pharmacy, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4416, FAX (804) 527-4472, or email caroline.juran@dhp.virginia.gov.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Counseling intends to consider amending 18VAC115-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling. The purpose of the proposed action is to add a requirement for all counseling programs leading to a license as a professional counselor to be clinically focused and accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or an approved affiliate, such as the Council on Rehabilitation Education. This would be a phased-in requirement, allowing seven years from the effective date for students to complete their education in a non-CACREP program and for programs to achieve accreditation standards.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

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

Public Comment Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Agency Contact: Catherine Chappell, Executive Director, Board of Counseling, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4406, FAX (804) 527-4435, or email catherine.chappell@dhp.virginia.gov.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Veterinary Medicine intends to consider amending 18VAC150-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine. The purpose of the proposed action is to eliminate a burdensome restriction on the preceptorships for veterinary students. Through preceptorships, veterinary students gain practical experience under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Currently, students are not allowed to engage in a preceptorship until their final year in veterinary college.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

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

Public Comment Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Agency Contact: Leslie L. Knachel, Executive Director, Board of Veterinary Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4468, FAX (804) 527-4471, or email leslie.knachel@dhp.virginia.gov.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Veterinary Medicine intends to consider amending 18VAC150-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine. The purpose of the proposed action is to increase the number of continuing education hours required for renewal of a license as a veterinary technician from six to eight hours per year.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3805.2 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Agency Contact: Leslie L. Knachel, Executive Director, Board of Veterinary Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4468, FAX (804) 527-4471, or email leslie.knachel@dhp.virginia.gov.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Veterinary Medicine intends to consider amending 18VAC150-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine. The purpose of the proposed action is to add a definition of "specialist" to 18VAC150-20-10 and to expand the elements of unprofessional conduct to include identifying oneself as a specialist without possessing the proper credentials. The goal is to prevent misrepresentation to the public in the use of the term "specialist" or "specialty" for an individual licensee or in the name of an establishment.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

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

Public Comment Deadline: July 1, 2015.

Agency Contact: Leslie L. Knachel, Executive Director, Board of Veterinary Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4468, FAX (804) 527-4471, or email leslie.knachel@dhp.virginia.gov.