Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-720. Pertaining to Restrictions on Oyster Harvest(amending 4VAC20-720-106).

Statutory Authority: §§28.2-201 and 28.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Dates: September 1, 2008, through September 30, 2008.

Agency Contact: Jane Warren, Agency Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resource Commission, 2600 Washington Ave. 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, telephone (757) 247-2248, FAX (757) 247-2002, or email betty.warren@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments establish summer harvest hours and other restrictions necessary when working on public or private oyster grounds in order to protect the public's health.

4VAC20-720-106. Public health and warm water harvest restrictions.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to have any cat, dog, or other animal on board a vessel during the harvest of oysters.

B. From May 1 through September 30, any vessel used for the harvest of oysters for human consumption from either public or private grounds shall have shading over the area that serves as storage for the oysters (except as described in subsection C of this section), and all oysters in the vessel shall be offloaded every day.

C. From May 1 through September 30, any vessel used for the harvest of oysters for human consumption that are placed in an aquaculture container completely covered by a lid or top, shall not be required to have shading over that container.

D. From May 1 June 15 through September 30 August 31, it shall be unlawful for any person, or person aboard a vessel, to leave the dock or shore prior to one hour before sunrise to harvest or attempt to harvest oysters from public or private grounds.

E. From May 1 through June 14, it shall be unlawful to harvest oysters for human consumption from public or private grounds after 11 a.m., and oysters harvested before 11 a.m. shall be refrigerated by 11 a.m. that same day.

E. F. From May 1 June 15 through September 30 August 31, it shall be unlawful to harvest oysters for human consumption from public or private grounds after 10 a.m., and oysters harvested before 10 a.m. shall be refrigerated by 10 a.m. that same day, except as described below:.

G. From September 1 through September 30, it shall be unlawful to harvest oysters for human consumption from public or private grounds after 12 p.m., and oysters harvested before 12 p.m. shall be refrigerated by 12 p.m. that same day.

1. This H. Subsections E, F, and G of this section shall not apply to the harvest of seed oysters or the customary husbandry processes associated with aquaculture of oysters.

2. I. Oysters may be harvested after 10 a.m. the designated end time in subsections E, F, and G provided there is a Virginia Department of Health, Division of Shellfish Sanitation-approved refrigeration system or ice storage area for the oysters on board the harvest vessel that is in use for cooling oysters at all times after 10 a.m. or the total time expended on harvesting those oysters does not exceed two hours from start of harvest to refrigeration of those oysters and there is verifiable documentation, such as a log book or GPS trip log that corresponds to that harvest event.

3. The total time expended on harvesting those oysters does not exceed two hours from start of harvest to refrigeration of those oysters, and there is verifiable documentation, such as a log book or GPS trip log that corresponds to that harvesting event.

Title of Regulation: 12VAC5-220. Virginia Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Rules and Regulations (amending 12VAC5-220-160).

Statutory Authority: §32.1-102.2 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: Carrie Eddy, Policy Analyst, Department of Health, 3600 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230, telephone (804) 367-2157, or email carrie.eddy@vdh.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendment conforms the regulation with Chapter 292 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly by adding a new criteria for the State Health Commissioner to consider when determining a public need for a medical care facility or service project that requires a certificate of public need. The new criteria addresses whether a proposed project (i) increases citizen accessibility, (ii) demonstrates community support, and (iii) introduces institutional competition into a health planning region.

Part IV
Determination of Public Need (Required Considerations)

12VAC5-220-160. Required considerations.

In determining whether a public need exists for a proposed project, the following factors shall be taken into account when applicable:

1. The recommendation and the reasons therefor of the appropriate regional health planning agency.

2. The relationship of the project to the applicable health plans of the regional health planning agency and the Board of Health.

3. The relationship of the project to the long-range development plan, if any, of the person applying for a certificate.

4. The need that the population served or to be served by the project has for the project, including, but not limited to, the needs of rural populations in areas having distinct and unique geographic, socioeconomic, cultural, transportation, and other barriers to access to care.

5. The extent to which the project will be accessible to all residents of the area proposed to be served and the effects on accessibility of any proposed relocation of an existing service or facility.

6. The area, population, topography, highway facilities and availability of the services to be provided by the project in the particular part of the health planning region in which the project is proposed, in particular, the distinct and unique geographic, socioeconomic, cultural, transportation, and other barriers to access to care.

7. Less costly or more effective alternate methods of reasonably meeting identified health service needs.

8. The immediate and long-term financial feasibility of the project.

9. The relationship of the project to the existing health care system of the area in which the project is proposed; however, for projects proposed in rural areas, the relationship of the project to the existing health care services in the specific rural locality shall be considered.

10. The availability of resources for the project.

11. The organizational relationship of the project to necessary ancillary and support services.

12. The relationship of the project to the clinical needs of health professional training programs in the area in which the project is proposed.

13. The special needs and circumstances of an applicant for a certificate, such as a medical school, hospital, multidisciplinary clinic, specialty center or regional health service provider, if a substantial portion of the applicant's services or resources or both is provided to individuals not residing in the health planning region in which the project is to be located.

14. The need and the availability in the health planning region for osteopathic and allopathic services and facilities and the impact on existing and proposed institutional training programs for doctors of osteopathy and medicine at the student, internship, and residency training levels.

15. The special needs and circumstances of health maintenance organizations. When considering the special needs and circumstances of health maintenance organizations, the commissioner may grant a certificate for a project if the commissioner finds that the project is needed by the enrolled or reasonably anticipated new members of the health maintenance organizations or the beds or services to be provided are not available from providers which are not health maintenance organizations or from other health maintenance organizations in a reasonable and cost effective manner.

16. The special needs and circumstances for biomedical and behavioral research projects which are designed to meet a national need and for which local conditions offer special advantages.

17. The costs and benefits of the construction associated with the proposed project.

18. The probable impact of the project on the costs of and charges for providing health services by the applicant for a certificate and on the costs and charges to the public for providing health services by other persons in the area.

19. Improvements or innovations in the financing and delivery of health services which foster competition and serve to promote quality assurance and cost effectiveness.

20. In the case of health services or facilities proposed to be provided, the efficiency and appropriateness of the use of existing services and facilities in the area similar to those proposed, including, in the case of rural localities, any distinct and unique geographic, socioeconomic, cultural, transportation, and other barriers to access to care.

21. In the case of proposed health services or facilities, the extent to which a proposed service or facility will increase citizen accessibility, demonstrate documented community support, and introduce institutional competition into a health planning region.

Title of Regulation: 12VAC5-220. Virginia Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Rules and Regulations (amending 12VAC5-220-110, 12VAC5-220-200).

Statutory Authority: §§32.1-12 and 32.1-102.2 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: Carrie Eddie, Policy Analyst, Department of Health, 3600 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230, telephone (804) 367-2157, or email carrie.eddy@vdh.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments increase the capital expenditure threshold for projects requiring a certificate of public need (COPN) as required by § 32.1-102.1 of the Code of Virginia. Section 32.1-202.1 requires annual revision of this amount to reflect inflation. Using the Consumer Price Index recently published by the U.S. Department of Labor, the amendments increase this amount from $15 million to $15,615,000.

12VAC5-220-110. Requirements for registration of certain capital expenditures.

At least 30 days before any person contracts to make or is otherwise legally obligated to make a capital expenditure by or on behalf of a medical care facility that is $5 million or more but is less than $15 million $15,615,000 and has not been previously authorized by the commissioner, the owner of any medical care facility as defined in this chapter shall register in writing such expenditure with the commissioner. The format for registration shall include information concerning the purpose of such expenditure and projected impact that the expenditure will have upon the charges for services. For purposes of registration, the owner shall include any person making the affected capital expenditure. See definition of "project."

12VAC5-220-200. One hundred ninety-day review cycle.

The department shall review the following groups of completed applications in accordance with the following 190-day scheduled review cycles and the following descriptions of projects within each group, except as provided for in 12VAC5-220-220.

Batch Group A includes:

1. The establishment of a general hospital.

2. An increase in the total number of general acute care beds in an existing or authorized general hospital.

3. The relocation at the same site of 10 general hospital beds or 10% of the general hospital beds of a medical care facility, whichever is less, from one existing physical facility to another in any two-year period if such relocation involves a capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more (see 12VAC5-220-280).

4. The introduction into an existing medical care facility of any new neonatal special care or obstetrical services that the facility has not provided in the previous 12 months.

5. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category included in Batch Groups B through G, by or in behalf of a general hospital.

Batch Group B includes:

1. The establishment of a specialized center, clinic, or portion of a physician's office developed for the provision of outpatient or ambulatory surgery or cardiac catheterization services.

2. An increase in the total number of operating rooms in an existing medical care facility or establishment of operating rooms in a new facility.

3. The introduction into an existing medical care facility of any new cardiac catheterization, open heart surgery, or organ or tissue transplant services that the facility has not provided in the previous 12 months.

4. The addition by an existing medical care facility of any medical equipment for the provision of cardiac catheterization.

5. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category in Batch Group A or Batch Groups C through G, by or in behalf of a specialized center, clinic, or portion of a physician's office developed for the provision of outpatient or ambulatory surgery or cardiac catheterization services.

6. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category in Batch Group A or Batch Groups C through G, by or in behalf of a medical care facility, that is primarily related to the provision of surgery, cardiac catheterization, open heart surgery, or organ or tissue transplant services.

Batch Group C includes:

1. The establishment of a mental hospital, psychiatric hospital, intermediate care facility established primarily for the medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics or drug addicts, or mental retardation facility.

2. An increase in the total number of beds in an existing or authorized mental hospital, psychiatric hospital, intermediate care facility established primarily for the medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics or drug addicts, or mental retardation facility.

3. An increase in the total number of mental hospital, psychiatric hospital, substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation, or mental retardation beds in an existing or authorized medical care facility which is not a dedicated mental hospital, psychiatric hospital, intermediate care facility established primarily for the medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics or drug addicts, or mental retardation facility.

4. The relocation at the same site of 10 mental hospital, psychiatric hospital, substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation, or mental retardation beds or 10% of the mental hospital, psychiatric hospital, substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation, or mental retardation beds of a medical care facility, whichever is less, from one existing physical facility to another in any two-year period if such relocation involves a capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more (see 12VAC5-220-280).

5. The introduction into an existing medical care facility of any new psychiatric or substance abuse treatment service that the facility has not provided in the previous 12 months.

6. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category in Batch Groups A and B or Batch Groups D/F through G, by or in behalf of a mental hospital, psychiatric hospital, intermediate care facility established primarily for the medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics or drug addicts, or mental retardation facilities.

7. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category in Batch Groups A through B or Batch Groups D/F through G, by or in behalf of a medical care facility, which is primarily related to the provision of mental health, psychiatric, substance abuse treatment or rehabilitation, or mental retardation services.

Batch Group D/F includes:

1. The establishment of a specialized center, clinic, or that portion of a physician's office developed for the provision of computed tomographic (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic source imaging (MSI), positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning, or nuclear medicine imaging, except for the purpose of nuclear cardiac imaging.

2. The introduction into an existing medical care facility of any new computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic source imaging (MSI), positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning, or nuclear medicine imaging services, except for the purpose of nuclear cardiac imaging that the facility has not provided in the previous 12 months.

3. The addition by an existing medical care facility of any equipment for the provision of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic source imaging (MSI), positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning.

4. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category in Batch Groups A B, C, E, and G, by or in behalf of a specialized center, clinic, or that portion of a physician's office developed for the provision of computed tomographic (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic source imaging (MSI), positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning, or nuclear medicine imaging, except that portion of a physician's office dedicated to providing nuclear cardiac imaging.

5. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category in Batch Groups A B, C, E, and G, by or in behalf of a medical care facility, which is primarily related to the provision of computed tomographic (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic source imaging (MSI), positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning, or nuclear medicine imaging, except for the purpose of nuclear cardiac imaging.

Batch Group E includes:

1. The establishment of a medical rehabilitation hospital.

2. An increase in the total number of beds in an existing or authorized medical rehabilitation hospital.

3. An increase in the total number of medical rehabilitation beds in an existing or authorized medical care facility that is not a dedicated medical rehabilitation hospital.

4. The relocation at the same site of 10 medical rehabilitation beds or 10% of the medical rehabilitation beds of a medical care facility, whichever is less, from one existing physical facility to another in any two-year period, if such relocation involves a capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more (see 12VAC220-280).

5. The introduction into an existing medical care facility of any new medical rehabilitation service that the facility has not provided in the previous 12 months.

6. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category in Batch Groups A B, C, D/F, and G, by or in behalf of a medical rehabilitation hospital.

7. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category in Batch Groups A B, C, D/F, and G, by or in behalf of a medical care facility, that is primarily related to the provision of medical rehabilitation services.

Batch Group D/F includes:

1. The establishment of a specialized center, clinic, or that portion of a physician's office developed for the provision of gamma knife surgery, lithotripsy, or radiation therapy.

2. Introduction into an existing medical care facility of any new gamma knife surgery, lithotripsy, or radiation therapy services that the facility has not provided in the previous 12 months.

3. The addition by an existing medical care facility of any medical equipment for the provision of gamma knife surgery, lithotripsy, or radiation therapy.

4. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project in Batch Groups A B, C, E, and G, by or in behalf of a specialized center, clinic, or that portion of a physician's office developed for the provision of gamma knife surgery, lithotripsy, or radiation therapy.

5. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project in Batch Groups A B, C, E, and G, by or in behalf of a medical care facility, which is primarily related to the provision of gamma knife surgery, lithotripsy, or radiation therapy.

Batch Group G includes:

1. The establishment of a nursing home, intermediate care facility, or extended care facility of a continuing care retirement community by a continuing care provider registered with the State Corporation Commission pursuant to Chapter 49 (§38.2-4900 et seq.) of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia.

2. The establishment of a nursing home, intermediate care facility, or extended care facility that does not involve an increase in the number of nursing home facility beds within a planning district.

3. An increase in the total number of beds in an existing or authorized nursing home, intermediate care facility, or extended care facility of a continuing care retirement community by a continuing care provider registered with the State Corporation Commission pursuant to Chapter 49 (§38.2-4900 et seq.) of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia.

4. An increase in the total number of beds in an existing or authorized nursing home, intermediate care facility, or extended care facility that does not involve an increase in the number of nursing home facility beds within a planning district.

5. The relocation at the same site of 10 nursing home, intermediate care facility, or extended care facility beds or 10% of the nursing home, intermediate care facility, or extended care facility beds of a medical care facility, whichever is less, from one physical facility to another in any two-year period, if such relocation involves a capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more (see 12VAC5-220-280).

6. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category in Batch Groups A through D/F, by or in behalf of a nursing home, intermediate care facility, or extended care facility, which does not increase the total number of beds of the facility.

7. Any capital expenditure of $15 million $15,615,000 or more, not defined as a project category in Batch Groups A through D/F, by or in behalf of a medical care facility, that is primarily related to the provision of nursing home, intermediate care, or extended care services, and does not increase the number of beds of the facility.

Titles of Regulations: 12VAC30-10. State Plan Under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program; General Provisions (amending 12VAC30-10-560).

12VAC30-20. Administration of Medical Assistance Services (adding 12VAC30-20-141; repealing 12VAC30-20-140).

Statutory Authority: §§32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearings are scheduled.

Public Comments: Public comments may be submitted until November 14, 2008.

Agency Contact: Kathy Colley, Fiscal Division, Department of Medical Assistance Services, 600 East Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-3839, FAX (804) 786-1680, or email kathy.colley@dmas.virginia.gov.

Basis: Section 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia grants to the Board of Medical Assistance Services the authority to administer and amend the Plan for Medical Assistance. Section 32.1-324 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the director of the department to administer and amend the Plan for Medical Assistance according to the board's requirements. The Medicaid authority as established by §1902 (a) of the Social Security Act (42 USC §1396a) provides governing authority for payments for services.

The Medicaid Estate Recovery program was mandated by the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, as codified at 42 USC §1396p(b)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 USC §1396p), which requires the Commonwealth to seek adjustment or recovery from certain beneficiaries' estates. Section 32.1-326.1 of the Code of Virginia directs DMAS to comply with the federal requirements and operate a Medicaid estate recovery program.

Purpose: Several aspects of the regulations regarding Medicaid estate recovery are in need of updating and clarification. This action clarifies ambiguous language and augments the language of the estate recovery regulations to add greater detail to enhance understanding about the Medicaid estate recovery process. This proposed action is expected to have a significant and positive impact on the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth by aiding the fiscal integrity of the Medicaid program, and recovering Medicaid benefits correctly and incorrectly paid under the estate recoveries provisions in §1917(b) of the Social Security Act. This regulatory action further provides clarification on mandatory and optional recovery when a Medicaid beneficiary receives services that are specified as collectible services under the Commonwealth’s State Plan for estate recovery.

Substance: DMAS intends to update the language of the estate recovery regulations to more closely reflect current agency practice based upon language provided by the federal Medicaid agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Specifically the agency intends to delete the definitions for "estate" and "applicable medical assistance payments" located in 12VAC30-10-560 and move these two definitions into new 12VAC30-20-141.

The agency also intends to repeal 12VAC30-20-140 (Estate Recoveries) in order to repromulgate this section in a restructured and revised format in 12VAC30-20-141. The agency intends to revise several of the definitions included in the section and to add two new definitions, for "cost effective" and "homestead of modest value." The revision also includes the exemption from Medicaid estate recovery for American Indian/Alaska Native income, resources and property as defined in the State Medicaid Manual, and assets or resources that were disregarded due to an authorized State Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership policy.

Issues: The advantages of these changes to the public are that they clarify what is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services relating to Medicaid estate recovery. The proposed update does not change how DMAS is currently handling Medicaid estate recovery, but better articulates the provisions and understanding of the regulations. DMAS has not identified any disadvantages to the public or the Commonwealth regarding these proposed changes.

The Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis:

Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. The proposed changes will clarify and update the regulations to more closely reflect the estate recovery practices currently followed in accordance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid guidance document titled "State Medicaid Manual."

Result of Analysis. The benefits likely exceed the costs for all proposed changes.

Estimated Economic Impact. The proposed changes will clarify and update the regulations to more closely reflect the estate recovery practices currently followed in accordance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid guidance document titled "State Medicaid Manual." These changes include reorganizing the regulations and adding clarifying definitions and language.

According to Department of Medical Assistance Services, none of the proposed changes will change the estate recovery practices currently followed in practice, but the changes are expected to increase the clarity of the regulations. Consequently, no significant economic effect is expected other than avoiding the potential confusions and communication costs that may have otherwise occurred from less clear language.

Businesses and Entities Affected. Approximately, 10 estate recovery cases per year are estimated.

Localities Particularly Affected. The proposed regulations apply throughout the Commonwealth.

Projected Impact on Employment. No significant effect on employment is expected.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. No significant effect on the use and value of private property is expected.

Small Businesses: Costs and Other Effects. The proposed regulations are not expected to create any significant costs or other effects on small businesses.

Small Businesses: Alternative Method that Minimizes Adverse Impact. The proposed regulations are not expected to create any significant adverse impact on small businesses.

Real Estate Development Costs. No significant effect on real estate development costs is expected.

Legal Mandate. The Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) has analyzed the economic impact of this proposed regulation in accordance with § 2.2-4007.04 of the Administrative Process Act and Executive Order Number 36 (06). Section 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include, but need not be limited to, the projected number of businesses or other entities to whom the regulation would apply, the identity of any localities and types of businesses or other entities particularly affected, the projected number of persons and employment positions to be affected, the projected costs to affected businesses or entities to implement or comply with the regulation, and the impact on the use and value of private property. Further, if the proposed regulation has adverse effect on small businesses, § 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include (i) an identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the regulation; (ii) the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs required for small businesses to comply with the regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparing required reports and other documents; (iii) a statement of the probable effect of the regulation on affected small businesses; and (iv) a description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the regulation. The analysis presented above represents DPB’s best estimate of these economic impacts.

Agency's Response to the Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis: The Department of Medical Assistance Services concurs with the economic impact analysis prepared by the Department of Planning and Budget regarding the regulations concerning Estate Recovery (12VAC 30-10-560, 12VAC 30-20-140, and 12VAC 30-20-141).

Summary:

The proposed amendments update and clarify the current regulations regarding Medicaid estate recovery carried out by the Department of Medical Assistance Services. This regulatory action more closely reflects current agency practice based upon language provided by the federal Medicaid agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in its guidance document publication titled "State Medicaid Manual." This change repeals 12VAC30-20-140 (Estate Recoveries) in order to repromulgate this section in a restructured and revised format as 12VAC30-20-141. This regulatory action will add new definitions for "cost effective" and "homestead of modest value." The definitions for "estate" and "applicable medical payments" will be deleted from 12VAC30-10-560 and moved into new 12VAC30-20-141. This revision also includes the exemption from Medicaid estate recovery for American Indian/Alaska Native income, resources and property as defined in the federal State Medicaid Manual. Consistent with the State Medicaid Manual, assets or resources that were disregarded due to an authorized State Long-Term Medicaid Insurance Partnership policy are being exempted from estate recovery actions.

12VAC30-10-560. Liens and recoveries.

Liens are not imposed against an individual's property.

A. Adjustments or recoveries for Medicaid claims correctly paid are as follows: See 12VAC30-20-140 12VAC30-20-141.

1. For permanently institutionalized individuals, adjustments or recoveries are made from the individual's estate.

2. For any individual who received medical assistance at age 55 or older, recovery of payments are made for nursing facility services, home- and community-based services, and related hospital and prescription drug services.

Payments are recovered for all services covered under the plan which are provided to individuals at age 55.

3. For any individual with long-term care insurance policies, if assets or resources are disregarded, recovery is made for all Medicaid costs for nursing facility and other long-term care services from the estate of persons who have such policies.

4. 3. If an individual covered under a qualified long-term care partnership insurance policy pursuant to § 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia received benefits for which assets or resources were disregarded as provided for in 12VAC30-40-290 G, the state Commonwealth does not seek adjustment or recovery from the individual's estate for the amount of assets or resources disregarded.

B. No money payments under another program are reduced as a means of recovering Medicaid claims incorrectly paid.

C. Liens. See 12VAC30-20-130.

1. Specifies the process for determining that an institutionalized individual cannot reasonably be expected to be discharged from the medical institution and return home; the description of the process meets the requirements of 42 CFR 433.36(d).

The Commonwealth does not impose liens therefore this subsection is not applicable.

2. Specifies the criteria by which a son or daughter can establish that he or she has been providing care under 42 CFR 433.36(f).

3. Definitions: individual's home; equity interest in home; residing in home for at least 1 or 2 years, on a continuing basis; discharge from the medical institution and return home; and lawfully residing.

The Commonwealth does not impose liens therefore this subsection is not applicable.

D. Estate recoveries.

1. Definitions.

"Applicable medical assistance payments" means the amount of any medical assistance payments made on behalf of an individual under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

"Estate" means with respect to a deceased individual, (i) all real and personal property and other assets held by the individual at the time of death and (ii) any other real and personal property and other assets in which the individual had any legal title or interest (to the extent of such interest) at the time of death.

2. 12VAC30-20-140 further 12VAC30-20-141 (Attachment 4.17-C) specifies the policy for estate recoveries.

12VAC30-20-140. Estate recoveries. (Repealed.)

A. General. Under the authority and consistent with the requirements of the Social Security Act §1917, the Commonwealth recovers certain Medicaid benefits when they have been correctly paid on behalf of certain individuals. The Commonwealth seeks recovery for all services which have been paid for consistent with the coverage and reimbursement policies in the State Plan for Medical Assistance.

B. Identification of deceased recipients' estates. The Medical Assistance Title XIX agency shall take all reasonable measures to determine the existence of deceased eligible individuals with recoverable estates.

C. Initiation of claim and recovery.

1. The Medical Assistance Title XIX agency's estate recovery unit will review and initiate recovery activities for all deceased eligible individual's estates identified which meet agency minimum criteria defined in subsection B of this section. A review of all deceased eligible individuals' applicable medical assistance payments paid correctly must be performed to determine the amount of the Commonwealth's claim against the estate. A "Notice of Claim" shall be sent to the deceased eligible individual's estate administrator or executor upon determination that estate recovery meets the minimum criteria. The "Notice of Claim" shall include, at minimum, (i) the deceased eligible individual's identification information, (ii) the claim amount, (iii) the agency contact, and (iv) the attached summary of applicable medical claims paid. The "Notice of Claim" shall also contain, but not necessarily be limited to, information regarding the exclusions identified below, the applicant's right to appeal, and the hardship rule.

2. The Medical Assistance Title XIX agency will, at a minimum, initiate recovery when the following conditions are met:

a. Legal estate administrator or executor has been verified.

b. Dollar amount of applicable medical assistance payments (claim amount) and estate meets agency cost effective threshold. The Title XIX agency will determine a cost effective threshold based on the administrative costs to pursue recovery from an estate. The Title XIX agency will adjust the cost effective threshold as the agency's administrative costs change. Recovery shall not be initiated unless both the amount of the claim and the value of the estate at least exceed the administrative cost of recovery.

c. Deceased eligible was single or surviving spouse is deceased.

d. Deceased eligible has no surviving children under 21 or children who are blind or disabled.

e. Deceased eligible was 55 years of age or older when the individual received such medical assistance.

f. Deceased eligible had no surviving sibling who had an equity interest in the deceased's home and such sibling resided in the property for at least one year prior to the deceased's entering a nursing facility.

3. Appeals related to the recovery of funds will be administered by the Medical Assistance Title XIX agency.

4. The Medical Assistance Title XIX agency will pursue recovery only to the extent that payments for applicable medical claims have been correctly made under the State Plan for Medical Assistance.

D. Hardship clause. The Medical Assistance Title XIX agency shall waive its claim if it determines that enforcement of the claim would result in substantial hardship to the devisees, legatees, and heirs or dependents of the individual against whose estate the claim exists. Special consideration shall be given to cases in which the estate subject to recovery is (i) the sole income-producing asset of survivors (where such income is limited), such as a family farm or other business, or (ii) a homestead of modest value, or (iii) other compelling circumstances. In cases where recovery is not waived and beneficiaries of the estate from which recovery is sought wish to satisfy the Commonwealth's claim without selling a nonliquid asset which is subject to recovery, alternative methods of recovery may be considered.

12VAC30-20-141. Estate recoveries.

A. Definitions. The following words and terms when used in this regulation shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Act" means the Social Security Act (42 USC §1396) as applicable.

"Applicable medical assistance payment" means the amount of any medical assistance payments made on behalf of an individual under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

"Claim" means, for the purposes of this section, action taken by DMAS to recover from the estate of an individual, who was age 55 or older when that person received medical assistance, the total amount of assistance paid for services consistent with the coverage and reimbursement policies in the State Plan for Medical Assistance.

"Cost effective" means that both the dollar amount of the medical assistance payments (claim) and the value of the estate at least exceed the administrative costs of recovery.

"Dual eligibles" mean individuals who are entitled to Medicare hospital insurance under Part A or supplementary medical insurance under Part B, or both, and are eligible for some form of Medicaid benefit.

"Estate" means, with respect to a deceased individual, (i) all real and personal property and other assets held by the individual at the time of death and (ii) any other real and personal property and other assets in which the individual had any legal title or interest (to the extent of such interest) at the time of his death.

"Homestead of modest value" means a home that is worth 50% or less of the average price, as contained in the most recent U.S. Census data, of homes in the county or city, as appropriate, where the homestead is located as of the date of the individual’s death.

"Undue hardship" means that DMAS has determined that enforcement of a claim to recover Medicaid benefits would result in substantial hardship to the devisees, legatees, and heirs or dependents of the deceased individual against whose estate the Medicaid claim exists.

B. Under the authority and consistent with the requirements of the Social Security Act §1917 (the Act), the Commonwealth shall recover applicable medical assistance payments when such payments have been correctly or incorrectly paid on behalf of certain individuals. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) shall provide notice of the Commonwealth’s Medicaid estate recovery program at the time of application for medical assistance.

C. Adjustment and recovery. Adjustment or recovery can only be made after the death of the individual's surviving spouse, if any, and only at a time when the individual has no surviving child under age 21, or a blind or disabled child as defined in §1614 of the Act. The Commonwealth shall seek adjustment or recovery of all medical assistance payments correctly paid on behalf of an individual under the State Plan as follows:

1. The Commonwealth shall seek adjustment or recovery from the estate of an individual who was age 55 or older when that person received medical assistance. The Commonwealth shall recover amounts up to the total amount spent on the individual's behalf for medical assistance for all items or services provided for the individual under the State Plan.

2. The Commonwealth shall recover from the estates of the following dual eligibles who receive full Medicaid benefits in addition to Medicare: (i) qualified Medicare beneficiaries with full Medicaid benefits (QMB Plus), (ii) specified low-income Medicare beneficiaries with full Medicaid benefits (SLMB Plus), and (iii) Medicare beneficiaries eligible for a limited package of Medicaid benefits (QMB, SLMB, qualified individuals (QI) or qualified disabled and working individuals (QDWI)). The Commonwealth shall recover from the individual’s estate for all medical assistance payments made on behalf of the individual. In addition, the Commonwealth shall include in the Commonwealth’s claim against the estate, amounts expended for Medicare cost-sharing or Medicare premiums, or both.

3. The Commonwealth shall recover from individuals with long-term care insurance policies. The Commonwealth shall not seek adjustment or recovery from the individual's estate for all Medicaid costs for nursing facility and other long-term care services if assets or resources are disregarded to the extent of payments made under a qualified long-term care partnership insurance policy.

4. Estate recovery and managed care. When a Medicaid beneficiary is enrolled in a managed care organization and services are provided by the managed care organization that are included under the State Plan, the Commonwealth shall seek adjustment or recovery from the individual’s estate for the premium payments in the Commonwealth’s claim against the estate. When the individual enrolls in the managed care organization, the Commonwealth shall provide a separate notice to the individual that explains that the premium payments made to the managed care organization are included in whole in the claim against the estate. The Commonwealth shall recover from the individual’s estate the total capitation rate for the period the individual was enrolled in the managed care organization.

5. The following American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) income, resources, and property shall be exempt from Medicaid estate recovery pursuant to §1917(b)(3) of the Act for hardship applicable to federally recognized tribes:

a. Certain AI/AN income and resources (such as interests in and income derived from tribal land and other resources currently held in trust status and judgment funds from the Indian Claims Commission and the U.S. Claims Court) that are exempt from Medicaid estate recovery by other laws and regulations;

b. Ownership interest in trust or nontrust property, including real property and improvements:

(1) Located on a reservation (any federally recognized Indian tribe’s reservation or near a reservation) as designated and approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior; or

(2) For any federally recognized tribe not described in this subdivision, located within the most recent boundaries of a prior federal reservation.

(3) Protection of nontrust property described in this subdivision is limited to circumstances when it passes from an Indian (as defined in §4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 25 USC §§ 1601-1683) to one or more relatives (by blood, adoption, or marriage), including Indians not enrolled as members of a tribe and non-Indians, such as spouses and step-children, that their culture would nevertheless protect as family members; to a tribe or tribal organization or to one or more Indians, or all of these;

c. Income left as a remainder in an estate derived from property protected in this subdivision, that was either collected by an Indian, or by a tribe or tribal organization and distributed to an Indian or Indians, as long as the individual can clearly trace such income as coming from the protected property.

d. Ownership interests left as a remainder in an estate in rents, leases, royalties, or usage rights related to natural resources (including, but not necessarily limited to, extraction of natural resources or harvesting of timber, other plants and plant products, animals, fish, and shellfish) resulting from the exercise of federally protected rights, and income either collected by an Indian, or by a tribe or tribal organization and distributed to an Indian or Indians derived from these sources as long as the individual can clearly trace the interest as coming from protected sources.

e. Ownership interests in or usage rights to items not covered by this subdivision that have unique religious, spiritual, traditional, or cultural significance or rights, or all of these, that support subsistence or a traditional lifestyle according to applicable tribal law or custom.

6. The Commonwealth shall recover the following income, resources and property from the estates of American Indians and Alaska Natives:

a. Ownership interests in assets and property, both real and personal, that are not described in this subdivision.

b. Any income and assets left as a remainder in an estate that do not derive from protected property or sources in this subdivision.

7. Reparation payments to individuals. Government reparation payments to special populations shall be exempt from Medicaid estate recovery.

8. Annuities. The Commonwealth considers annuities to be legal devices by which ownership of assets, such as estates, is defined and therefore may seek recovery from individuals’ estates that may include such annuities. This provision is effective for deaths or estates that are opened 90 days after the Commonwealth meets applicable state and federal law for appropriate notice and due process.

D. Undue hardship. Whenever estate recovery would work an undue hardship on the deceased individual’s heirs, the Commonwealth shall waive adjustment or recovery. Recovery from deceased individuals’ estates shall be waived when the heirs are themselves Medicaid eligible. The Commonwealth shall determine whether individuals who will be affected by Medicaid estate recovery may have the right to apply for an undue hardship waiver.

1. Special consideration shall be shown in cases in which the estate subject to recovery is: (i) the sole income-producing asset of survivors (where such income is limited), such as a family farm or other family business; (ii) a homestead of modest value; or (iii) other compelling circumstances as may be set out in agency guidance documents.

2. The Commonwealth may determine that an undue hardship exists when it would not be cost effective to recover the assistance paid.

3. In cases where recovery is not waived and heirs of the estate from which recovery is sought wish to satisfy the Commonwealth's claim without selling a nonliquid asset that is subject to recovery, alternative methods of recovery may be considered. DMAS may also establish a reasonable payment schedule.

4. The Commonwealth may limit the hardship waiver to the time period during which the undue hardship circumstances existed or continue to exist.

5. An undue hardship shall not exist if the beneficiary created the hardship by resorting to estate planning methods under which the beneficiary divested assets in order to avoid estate recovery.

E. DMAS shall establish collection procedures to include identification of the estate administrator or executor, determination of the medical assistance claim amount, notification procedures, and such other procedures as are appropriate to pursue the recovery of medical assistance expenditures. Such procedures will be set out in an agency guidance document.

F. Recovery or adjustment not cost effective.

1. The Commonwealth may waive adjustment or recovery in cases in which it is determined that it would not be cost effective for the Commonwealth to recover from a deceased individual’s estate. The estate administrator, executor, survivor, or heir does not need to assert undue hardship in such situations.

2. In determining whether recovery would be cost effective, the department may consider, but is not limited to consideration of, the following costs: staff time, litigation costs, expert witness fees, deposition expenses, travel expenses, office supplies, postage, advertising, and publishing costs. DMAS shall adjust the cost effective threshold as the agency's administrative costs change.

G. Appeals. The DMAS Appeals Division will administer appeals related to the recovery of funds pursuant to 12VAC30-110.

Titles of Regulations: 12VAC30-10. State Plan Under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program; General Provisions (amending 12VAC30-10-560).

12VAC30-20. Administration of Medical Assistance Services (adding 12VAC30-20-141; repealing 12VAC30-20-140).

Statutory Authority: §§32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearings are scheduled.

Public Comments: Public comments may be submitted until November 14, 2008.

Agency Contact: Kathy Colley, Fiscal Division, Department of Medical Assistance Services, 600 East Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-3839, FAX (804) 786-1680, or email kathy.colley@dmas.virginia.gov.

Basis: Section 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia grants to the Board of Medical Assistance Services the authority to administer and amend the Plan for Medical Assistance. Section 32.1-324 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the director of the department to administer and amend the Plan for Medical Assistance according to the board's requirements. The Medicaid authority as established by §1902 (a) of the Social Security Act (42 USC §1396a) provides governing authority for payments for services.

The Medicaid Estate Recovery program was mandated by the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, as codified at 42 USC §1396p(b)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 USC §1396p), which requires the Commonwealth to seek adjustment or recovery from certain beneficiaries' estates. Section 32.1-326.1 of the Code of Virginia directs DMAS to comply with the federal requirements and operate a Medicaid estate recovery program.

Purpose: Several aspects of the regulations regarding Medicaid estate recovery are in need of updating and clarification. This action clarifies ambiguous language and augments the language of the estate recovery regulations to add greater detail to enhance understanding about the Medicaid estate recovery process. This proposed action is expected to have a significant and positive impact on the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth by aiding the fiscal integrity of the Medicaid program, and recovering Medicaid benefits correctly and incorrectly paid under the estate recoveries provisions in §1917(b) of the Social Security Act. This regulatory action further provides clarification on mandatory and optional recovery when a Medicaid beneficiary receives services that are specified as collectible services under the Commonwealth’s State Plan for estate recovery.

Substance: DMAS intends to update the language of the estate recovery regulations to more closely reflect current agency practice based upon language provided by the federal Medicaid agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Specifically the agency intends to delete the definitions for "estate" and "applicable medical assistance payments" located in 12VAC30-10-560 and move these two definitions into new 12VAC30-20-141.

The agency also intends to repeal 12VAC30-20-140 (Estate Recoveries) in order to repromulgate this section in a restructured and revised format in 12VAC30-20-141. The agency intends to revise several of the definitions included in the section and to add two new definitions, for "cost effective" and "homestead of modest value." The revision also includes the exemption from Medicaid estate recovery for American Indian/Alaska Native income, resources and property as defined in the State Medicaid Manual, and assets or resources that were disregarded due to an authorized State Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership policy.

Issues: The advantages of these changes to the public are that they clarify what is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services relating to Medicaid estate recovery. The proposed update does not change how DMAS is currently handling Medicaid estate recovery, but better articulates the provisions and understanding of the regulations. DMAS has not identified any disadvantages to the public or the Commonwealth regarding these proposed changes.

The Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis:

Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. The proposed changes will clarify and update the regulations to more closely reflect the estate recovery practices currently followed in accordance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid guidance document titled "State Medicaid Manual."

Result of Analysis. The benefits likely exceed the costs for all proposed changes.

Estimated Economic Impact. The proposed changes will clarify and update the regulations to more closely reflect the estate recovery practices currently followed in accordance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid guidance document titled "State Medicaid Manual." These changes include reorganizing the regulations and adding clarifying definitions and language.

According to Department of Medical Assistance Services, none of the proposed changes will change the estate recovery practices currently followed in practice, but the changes are expected to increase the clarity of the regulations. Consequently, no significant economic effect is expected other than avoiding the potential confusions and communication costs that may have otherwise occurred from less clear language.

Businesses and Entities Affected. Approximately, 10 estate recovery cases per year are estimated.

Localities Particularly Affected. The proposed regulations apply throughout the Commonwealth.

Projected Impact on Employment. No significant effect on employment is expected.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. No significant effect on the use and value of private property is expected.

Small Businesses: Costs and Other Effects. The proposed regulations are not expected to create any significant costs or other effects on small businesses.

Small Businesses: Alternative Method that Minimizes Adverse Impact. The proposed regulations are not expected to create any significant adverse impact on small businesses.

Real Estate Development Costs. No significant effect on real estate development costs is expected.

Legal Mandate. The Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) has analyzed the economic impact of this proposed regulation in accordance with § 2.2-4007.04 of the Administrative Process Act and Executive Order Number 36 (06). Section 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include, but need not be limited to, the projected number of businesses or other entities to whom the regulation would apply, the identity of any localities and types of businesses or other entities particularly affected, the projected number of persons and employment positions to be affected, the projected costs to affected businesses or entities to implement or comply with the regulation, and the impact on the use and value of private property. Further, if the proposed regulation has adverse effect on small businesses, § 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include (i) an identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the regulation; (ii) the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs required for small businesses to comply with the regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparing required reports and other documents; (iii) a statement of the probable effect of the regulation on affected small businesses; and (iv) a description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the regulation. The analysis presented above represents DPB’s best estimate of these economic impacts.

Agency's Response to the Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis: The Department of Medical Assistance Services concurs with the economic impact analysis prepared by the Department of Planning and Budget regarding the regulations concerning Estate Recovery (12VAC 30-10-560, 12VAC 30-20-140, and 12VAC 30-20-141).

Summary:

The proposed amendments update and clarify the current regulations regarding Medicaid estate recovery carried out by the Department of Medical Assistance Services. This regulatory action more closely reflects current agency practice based upon language provided by the federal Medicaid agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in its guidance document publication titled "State Medicaid Manual." This change repeals 12VAC30-20-140 (Estate Recoveries) in order to repromulgate this section in a restructured and revised format as 12VAC30-20-141. This regulatory action will add new definitions for "cost effective" and "homestead of modest value." The definitions for "estate" and "applicable medical payments" will be deleted from 12VAC30-10-560 and moved into new 12VAC30-20-141. This revision also includes the exemption from Medicaid estate recovery for American Indian/Alaska Native income, resources and property as defined in the federal State Medicaid Manual. Consistent with the State Medicaid Manual, assets or resources that were disregarded due to an authorized State Long-Term Medicaid Insurance Partnership policy are being exempted from estate recovery actions.

12VAC30-10-560. Liens and recoveries.

Liens are not imposed against an individual's property.

A. Adjustments or recoveries for Medicaid claims correctly paid are as follows: See 12VAC30-20-140 12VAC30-20-141.

1. For permanently institutionalized individuals, adjustments or recoveries are made from the individual's estate.

2. For any individual who received medical assistance at age 55 or older, recovery of payments are made for nursing facility services, home- and community-based services, and related hospital and prescription drug services.

Payments are recovered for all services covered under the plan which are provided to individuals at age 55.

3. For any individual with long-term care insurance policies, if assets or resources are disregarded, recovery is made for all Medicaid costs for nursing facility and other long-term care services from the estate of persons who have such policies.

4. 3. If an individual covered under a qualified long-term care partnership insurance policy pursuant to § 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia received benefits for which assets or resources were disregarded as provided for in 12VAC30-40-290 G, the state Commonwealth does not seek adjustment or recovery from the individual's estate for the amount of assets or resources disregarded.

B. No money payments under another program are reduced as a means of recovering Medicaid claims incorrectly paid.

C. Liens. See 12VAC30-20-130.

1. Specifies the process for determining that an institutionalized individual cannot reasonably be expected to be discharged from the medical institution and return home; the description of the process meets the requirements of 42 CFR 433.36(d).

The Commonwealth does not impose liens therefore this subsection is not applicable.

2. Specifies the criteria by which a son or daughter can establish that he or she has been providing care under 42 CFR 433.36(f).

3. Definitions: individual's home; equity interest in home; residing in home for at least 1 or 2 years, on a continuing basis; discharge from the medical institution and return home; and lawfully residing.

The Commonwealth does not impose liens therefore this subsection is not applicable.

D. Estate recoveries.

1. Definitions.

"Applicable medical assistance payments" means the amount of any medical assistance payments made on behalf of an individual under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

"Estate" means with respect to a deceased individual, (i) all real and personal property and other assets held by the individual at the time of death and (ii) any other real and personal property and other assets in which the individual had any legal title or interest (to the extent of such interest) at the time of death.

2. 12VAC30-20-140 further 12VAC30-20-141 (Attachment 4.17-C) specifies the policy for estate recoveries.

12VAC30-20-140. Estate recoveries. (Repealed.)

A. General. Under the authority and consistent with the requirements of the Social Security Act §1917, the Commonwealth recovers certain Medicaid benefits when they have been correctly paid on behalf of certain individuals. The Commonwealth seeks recovery for all services which have been paid for consistent with the coverage and reimbursement policies in the State Plan for Medical Assistance.

B. Identification of deceased recipients' estates. The Medical Assistance Title XIX agency shall take all reasonable measures to determine the existence of deceased eligible individuals with recoverable estates.

C. Initiation of claim and recovery.

1. The Medical Assistance Title XIX agency's estate recovery unit will review and initiate recovery activities for all deceased eligible individual's estates identified which meet agency minimum criteria defined in subsection B of this section. A review of all deceased eligible individuals' applicable medical assistance payments paid correctly must be performed to determine the amount of the Commonwealth's claim against the estate. A "Notice of Claim" shall be sent to the deceased eligible individual's estate administrator or executor upon determination that estate recovery meets the minimum criteria. The "Notice of Claim" shall include, at minimum, (i) the deceased eligible individual's identification information, (ii) the claim amount, (iii) the agency contact, and (iv) the attached summary of applicable medical claims paid. The "Notice of Claim" shall also contain, but not necessarily be limited to, information regarding the exclusions identified below, the applicant's right to appeal, and the hardship rule.

2. The Medical Assistance Title XIX agency will, at a minimum, initiate recovery when the following conditions are met:

a. Legal estate administrator or executor has been verified.

b. Dollar amount of applicable medical assistance payments (claim amount) and estate meets agency cost effective threshold. The Title XIX agency will determine a cost effective threshold based on the administrative costs to pursue recovery from an estate. The Title XIX agency will adjust the cost effective threshold as the agency's administrative costs change. Recovery shall not be initiated unless both the amount of the claim and the value of the estate at least exceed the administrative cost of recovery.

c. Deceased eligible was single or surviving spouse is deceased.

d. Deceased eligible has no surviving children under 21 or children who are blind or disabled.

e. Deceased eligible was 55 years of age or older when the individual received such medical assistance.

f. Deceased eligible had no surviving sibling who had an equity interest in the deceased's home and such sibling resided in the property for at least one year prior to the deceased's entering a nursing facility.

3. Appeals related to the recovery of funds will be administered by the Medical Assistance Title XIX agency.

4. The Medical Assistance Title XIX agency will pursue recovery only to the extent that payments for applicable medical claims have been correctly made under the State Plan for Medical Assistance.

D. Hardship clause. The Medical Assistance Title XIX agency shall waive its claim if it determines that enforcement of the claim would result in substantial hardship to the devisees, legatees, and heirs or dependents of the individual against whose estate the claim exists. Special consideration shall be given to cases in which the estate subject to recovery is (i) the sole income-producing asset of survivors (where such income is limited), such as a family farm or other business, or (ii) a homestead of modest value, or (iii) other compelling circumstances. In cases where recovery is not waived and beneficiaries of the estate from which recovery is sought wish to satisfy the Commonwealth's claim without selling a nonliquid asset which is subject to recovery, alternative methods of recovery may be considered.

12VAC30-20-141. Estate recoveries.

A. Definitions. The following words and terms when used in this regulation shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Act" means the Social Security Act (42 USC §1396) as applicable.

"Applicable medical assistance payment" means the amount of any medical assistance payments made on behalf of an individual under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

"Claim" means, for the purposes of this section, action taken by DMAS to recover from the estate of an individual, who was age 55 or older when that person received medical assistance, the total amount of assistance paid for services consistent with the coverage and reimbursement policies in the State Plan for Medical Assistance.

"Cost effective" means that both the dollar amount of the medical assistance payments (claim) and the value of the estate at least exceed the administrative costs of recovery.

"Dual eligibles" mean individuals who are entitled to Medicare hospital insurance under Part A or supplementary medical insurance under Part B, or both, and are eligible for some form of Medicaid benefit.

"Estate" means, with respect to a deceased individual, (i) all real and personal property and other assets held by the individual at the time of death and (ii) any other real and personal property and other assets in which the individual had any legal title or interest (to the extent of such interest) at the time of his death.

"Homestead of modest value" means a home that is worth 50% or less of the average price, as contained in the most recent U.S. Census data, of homes in the county or city, as appropriate, where the homestead is located as of the date of the individual’s death.

"Undue hardship" means that DMAS has determined that enforcement of a claim to recover Medicaid benefits would result in substantial hardship to the devisees, legatees, and heirs or dependents of the deceased individual against whose estate the Medicaid claim exists.

B. Under the authority and consistent with the requirements of the Social Security Act §1917 (the Act), the Commonwealth shall recover applicable medical assistance payments when such payments have been correctly or incorrectly paid on behalf of certain individuals. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) shall provide notice of the Commonwealth’s Medicaid estate recovery program at the time of application for medical assistance.

C. Adjustment and recovery. Adjustment or recovery can only be made after the death of the individual's surviving spouse, if any, and only at a time when the individual has no surviving child under age 21, or a blind or disabled child as defined in §1614 of the Act. The Commonwealth shall seek adjustment or recovery of all medical assistance payments correctly paid on behalf of an individual under the State Plan as follows:

1. The Commonwealth shall seek adjustment or recovery from the estate of an individual who was age 55 or older when that person received medical assistance. The Commonwealth shall recover amounts up to the total amount spent on the individual's behalf for medical assistance for all items or services provided for the individual under the State Plan.

2. The Commonwealth shall recover from the estates of the following dual eligibles who receive full Medicaid benefits in addition to Medicare: (i) qualified Medicare beneficiaries with full Medicaid benefits (QMB Plus), (ii) specified low-income Medicare beneficiaries with full Medicaid benefits (SLMB Plus), and (iii) Medicare beneficiaries eligible for a limited package of Medicaid benefits (QMB, SLMB, qualified individuals (QI) or qualified disabled and working individuals (QDWI)). The Commonwealth shall recover from the individual’s estate for all medical assistance payments made on behalf of the individual. In addition, the Commonwealth shall include in the Commonwealth’s claim against the estate, amounts expended for Medicare cost-sharing or Medicare premiums, or both.

3. The Commonwealth shall recover from individuals with long-term care insurance policies. The Commonwealth shall not seek adjustment or recovery from the individual's estate for all Medicaid costs for nursing facility and other long-term care services if assets or resources are disregarded to the extent of payments made under a qualified long-term care partnership insurance policy.

4. Estate recovery and managed care. When a Medicaid beneficiary is enrolled in a managed care organization and services are provided by the managed care organization that are included under the State Plan, the Commonwealth shall seek adjustment or recovery from the individual’s estate for the premium payments in the Commonwealth’s claim against the estate. When the individual enrolls in the managed care organization, the Commonwealth shall provide a separate notice to the individual that explains that the premium payments made to the managed care organization are included in whole in the claim against the estate. The Commonwealth shall recover from the individual’s estate the total capitation rate for the period the individual was enrolled in the managed care organization.

5. The following American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) income, resources, and property shall be exempt from Medicaid estate recovery pursuant to §1917(b)(3) of the Act for hardship applicable to federally recognized tribes:

a. Certain AI/AN income and resources (such as interests in and income derived from tribal land and other resources currently held in trust status and judgment funds from the Indian Claims Commission and the U.S. Claims Court) that are exempt from Medicaid estate recovery by other laws and regulations;

b. Ownership interest in trust or nontrust property, including real property and improvements:

(1) Located on a reservation (any federally recognized Indian tribe’s reservation or near a reservation) as designated and approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior; or

(2) For any federally recognized tribe not described in this subdivision, located within the most recent boundaries of a prior federal reservation.

(3) Protection of nontrust property described in this subdivision is limited to circumstances when it passes from an Indian (as defined in §4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 25 USC §§ 1601-1683) to one or more relatives (by blood, adoption, or marriage), including Indians not enrolled as members of a tribe and non-Indians, such as spouses and step-children, that their culture would nevertheless protect as family members; to a tribe or tribal organization or to one or more Indians, or all of these;

c. Income left as a remainder in an estate derived from property protected in this subdivision, that was either collected by an Indian, or by a tribe or tribal organization and distributed to an Indian or Indians, as long as the individual can clearly trace such income as coming from the protected property.

d. Ownership interests left as a remainder in an estate in rents, leases, royalties, or usage rights related to natural resources (including, but not necessarily limited to, extraction of natural resources or harvesting of timber, other plants and plant products, animals, fish, and shellfish) resulting from the exercise of federally protected rights, and income either collected by an Indian, or by a tribe or tribal organization and distributed to an Indian or Indians derived from these sources as long as the individual can clearly trace the interest as coming from protected sources.

e. Ownership interests in or usage rights to items not covered by this subdivision that have unique religious, spiritual, traditional, or cultural significance or rights, or all of these, that support subsistence or a traditional lifestyle according to applicable tribal law or custom.

6. The Commonwealth shall recover the following income, resources and property from the estates of American Indians and Alaska Natives:

a. Ownership interests in assets and property, both real and personal, that are not described in this subdivision.

b. Any income and assets left as a remainder in an estate that do not derive from protected property or sources in this subdivision.

7. Reparation payments to individuals. Government reparation payments to special populations shall be exempt from Medicaid estate recovery.

8. Annuities. The Commonwealth considers annuities to be legal devices by which ownership of assets, such as estates, is defined and therefore may seek recovery from individuals’ estates that may include such annuities. This provision is effective for deaths or estates that are opened 90 days after the Commonwealth meets applicable state and federal law for appropriate notice and due process.

D. Undue hardship. Whenever estate recovery would work an undue hardship on the deceased individual’s heirs, the Commonwealth shall waive adjustment or recovery. Recovery from deceased individuals’ estates shall be waived when the heirs are themselves Medicaid eligible. The Commonwealth shall determine whether individuals who will be affected by Medicaid estate recovery may have the right to apply for an undue hardship waiver.

1. Special consideration shall be shown in cases in which the estate subject to recovery is: (i) the sole income-producing asset of survivors (where such income is limited), such as a family farm or other family business; (ii) a homestead of modest value; or (iii) other compelling circumstances as may be set out in agency guidance documents.

2. The Commonwealth may determine that an undue hardship exists when it would not be cost effective to recover the assistance paid.

3. In cases where recovery is not waived and heirs of the estate from which recovery is sought wish to satisfy the Commonwealth's claim without selling a nonliquid asset that is subject to recovery, alternative methods of recovery may be considered. DMAS may also establish a reasonable payment schedule.

4. The Commonwealth may limit the hardship waiver to the time period during which the undue hardship circumstances existed or continue to exist.

5. An undue hardship shall not exist if the beneficiary created the hardship by resorting to estate planning methods under which the beneficiary divested assets in order to avoid estate recovery.

E. DMAS shall establish collection procedures to include identification of the estate administrator or executor, determination of the medical assistance claim amount, notification procedures, and such other procedures as are appropriate to pursue the recovery of medical assistance expenditures. Such procedures will be set out in an agency guidance document.

F. Recovery or adjustment not cost effective.

1. The Commonwealth may waive adjustment or recovery in cases in which it is determined that it would not be cost effective for the Commonwealth to recover from a deceased individual’s estate. The estate administrator, executor, survivor, or heir does not need to assert undue hardship in such situations.

2. In determining whether recovery would be cost effective, the department may consider, but is not limited to consideration of, the following costs: staff time, litigation costs, expert witness fees, deposition expenses, travel expenses, office supplies, postage, advertising, and publishing costs. DMAS shall adjust the cost effective threshold as the agency's administrative costs change.

G. Appeals. The DMAS Appeals Division will administer appeals related to the recovery of funds pursuant to 12VAC30-110.

Title of Regulation: 12VAC30-40. Eligibility Conditions and Requirements (amending 12VAC30-40-290).

Statutory Authority: §§32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Dates: August 27, 2008, through August 26, 2009.

Agency Contact: Cindy Olson, Project Manager, Department of Medical Assistance Services, 600 East Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 225-4282, FAX (804) 786-1680, or email cindy.olson@dmas.virginia.gov.

Preamble:

Section 2.2-4011 of the Administrative Process Act provides that agencies may adopt emergency regulations in situations in which Virginia statutory law, the Virginia appropriation act, or federal law or regulation requires that a regulation shall be effective in 280 days or less from its enactment.

Item 306 NN of the 2008 Appropriation Act (Chapter 879 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly) directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to count life estates as a resource in determining Medicaid eligibility for covered groups for which a resource determination is required, including individuals requesting Medicaid payment for long-term care services. This action is intended to satisfy that mandate.

This regulatory action is intended to change the way life estates are evaluated in the Medicaid eligibility determination process per the requirement of the 2008 Appropriation Act. Upon implementation of this change, life estates will be evaluated as a resource for those Medicaid groups that have a resource requirement. This change will require the amendment of regulations addressing Medicaid eligibility.

This change is needed to eliminate the opportunity to shelter assets equal to the value of a life estate for individuals who are subject to a resource test for Medicaid eligibility.

12VAC30-40-290. More liberal methods of treating resources under §1902(r)(2) of the Act: §1902(f) states.

A. Resources to meet burial expenses. Resources set aside to meet the burial expenses of an applicant/recipient or that individual's spouse are excluded from countable assets. In determining eligibility for benefits for individuals, disregarded from countable resources is an amount not in excess of $3,500 for the individual and an amount not in excess of $3,500 for his spouse when such resources have been set aside to meet the burial expenses of the individual or his spouse. The amount disregarded shall be reduced by:

1. The face value of life insurance on the life of an individual owned by the individual or his spouse if the cash surrender value of such policies has been excluded from countable resources; and

2. The amount of any other revocable or irrevocable trust, contract, or other arrangement specifically designated for the purpose of meeting the individual's or his spouse's burial expenses.

B. Cemetery plots. Cemetery plots are not counted as resources regardless of the number owned.

C. Life rights. Life rights to real property established prior to August 28, 2008, are not counted as a resource. The purchase of a life right in another individual's home is subject to transfer of asset rules. See 12VAC30-40-300. Life rights to real property established on or after August 28, 2008 are evaluated as a resource in determining Medicaid eligibility in covered groups for which a resource determination is required, in the same manner as home or real property, as applicable.

D. Reasonable effort to sell.

1. For purposes of this section, "current market value" is defined as the current tax assessed value. If the property is listed by a realtor, then the realtor may list it at an amount higher than the tax assessed value. In no event, however, shall the realtor's list price exceed 150% of the assessed value.

2. A reasonable effort to sell is considered to have been made:

a. As of the date the property becomes subject to a realtor's listing agreement if:

(1) It is listed at a price at current market value; and

(2) The listing realtor verifies that it is unlikely to sell within 90 days of listing given the particular circumstances involved (e.g., owner's fractional interest; zoning restrictions; poor topography; absence of road frontage or access; absence of improvements; clouds on title, right of way or easement; local market conditions); or

b. When at least two realtors refuse to list the property. The reason for refusal must be that the property is unsaleable at current market value. Other reasons for refusal are not sufficient; or

c. When the applicant has personally advertised his property at or below current market value for 90 days by use of a "Sale By Owner" sign located on the property and by other reasonable efforts, such as newspaper advertisements, or reasonable inquiries with all adjoining landowners or other potential interested purchasers.

3. Notwithstanding the fact that the recipient made a reasonable effort to sell the property and failed to sell it, and although the recipient has become eligible, the recipient must make a continuing reasonable effort to sell by:

a. Repeatedly renewing any initial listing agreement until the property is sold. If the list price was initially higher than the tax-assessed value, the listed sales price must be reduced after 12 months to no more than 100% of the tax-assessed value.

b. In the case where at least two realtors have refused to list the property, the recipient must personally try to sell the property by efforts described in subdivision 2 c of this subsection for 12 months.

c. In the case of a recipient who has personally advertised his property for a year without success (the newspaper advertisements and "for sale" sign do not have to be continuous; these efforts must be done for at least 90 days within a 12-month period), the recipient must then:

(1) Subject his property to a realtor's listing agreement at price or below current market value; or

(2) Meet the requirements of subdivision 2 b of this subsection which are that the recipient must try to list the property and at least two realtors refuse to list it because it is unsaleable at current market value; other reasons for refusal to list are not sufficient.

4. If the recipient has made a continuing effort to sell the property for 12 months, then the recipient may sell the property between 75% and 100% of its tax assessed value and such sale shall not result in disqualification under the transfer of property rules. If the recipient requests to sell his property at less than 75% of assessed value, he must submit documentation from the listing realtor, or knowledgeable source if the property is not listed with a realtor, that the requested sale price is the best price the recipient can expect to receive for the property at this time. Sale at such a documented price shall not result in disqualification under the transfer of property rules. The proceeds of the sale will be counted as a resource in determining continuing eligibility.

5. Once the applicant has demonstrated that his property is unsaleable by following the procedures in subdivision 2 of this subsection, the property is disregarded in determining eligibility starting the first day of the month in which the most recent application was filed, or up to three months prior to this month of application if retroactive coverage is requested and the applicant met all other eligibility requirements in the period. A recipient must continue his reasonable efforts to sell the property as required in subdivision 3 of this subsection.

E. Automobiles. Ownership of one motor vehicle does not affect eligibility. If more than one vehicle is owned, the individual's equity in the least valuable vehicle or vehicles must be counted. The value of the vehicles is the wholesale value listed in the National Automobile Dealers Official Used Car Guide (NADA) Book, Eastern Edition (update monthly). In the event the vehicle is not listed, the value assessed by the locality for tax purposes may be used. The value of the additional motor vehicles is to be counted in relation to the amount of assets that could be liquidated that may be retained.

F. Life, retirement, and other related types of insurance policies. Life, retirement, and other related types of insurance policies with face values totaling $1,500 or less on any one person 21 years old and over are not considered resources. When the face values of such policies of any one person exceeds $1,500, the cash surrender value of the policies is counted as a resource.

G. Long-term care partnership insurance policy (partnership policy). Resources equal to the amount of benefits paid on the insured’s behalf by the long-term care insurer through a Virginia issued long-term care partnership insurance policy shall be disregarded. A long-term care partnership insurance policy shall meet the following requirements:

1. The policy is a qualified long-term care partnership insurance policy as defined in §7702B(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

2. The policy meets the requirements of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Long-Term Care Insurance Model Regulation and Long-Term Care Insurance Model Act as those requirements are set forth in §1917(b)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 USC §1396p).

3. The policy was issued no earlier than May 1, 2007.

4. The insured individual was a resident of a partnership state when coverage first became effective under the policy. If the policy is later exchanged for a different long-term care policy, the individual was a resident of a partnership state when coverage under the earliest policy became effective.

5. The policy meets the inflation protection requirements set forth in §1917(b)(1)(C)(iii)(IV) of the Social Security Act.

6. The Insurance Commissioner requires the issuer of the partnership policy to make regular reports to the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services that include notification of the date benefits provided under the policy were paid and the amount paid, the date the policy terminates, and such other information as the secretary determines may be appropriate to the administration of such partnerships. Such information shall also be made available to the Department of Medical Assistance Services upon request.

7. The state does not impose any requirement affecting the terms or benefits of a partnership policy that the state does not also impose on nonpartnership policies.

8. The policy meets all the requirements of the Bureau of Insurance of the State Corporation Commission described in 14VAC5-200.

H. Reserved.

I. Resource exemption for Aid to Dependent Children categorically and medically needy (the Act §§1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(III), (IV), (VI), (VII); §§1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(VIII), (IX); §1902(a)(10)(C)(i)(III)). For ADC-related cases, both categorically and medically needy, any individual or family applying for or receiving assistance may have or establish one interest-bearing savings or investment account per assistance unit not to exceed $5,000 if the applicant, applicants, recipient or recipients designate that the account is reserved for purposes related to self-sufficiency. Any funds deposited in the account shall be exempt when determining eligibility for medical assistance for so long as the funds and interest remain on deposit in the account. Any amounts withdrawn and used for purposes related to self-sufficiency shall be exempt. For purposes of this section, purposes related to self-sufficiency shall include, but are not limited to, (i) paying for tuition, books, and incidental expenses at any elementary, secondary, or vocational school, or any college or university; (ii) for making down payment on a primary residence; or (iii) for establishment of a commercial operation that is owned by a member of the medical assistance unit.

J. Disregard of resources. The Commonwealth of Virginia will disregard all resources for qualified children covered under §§1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(I), 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(III), 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(VIII), and 1905(n) of the Social Security Act.

K. Household goods and personal effects. The Commonwealth of Virginia will disregard the value of household goods and personal effects. Household goods are items of personal property customarily found in the home and used in connection with the maintenance, use and occupancy of the premises as a home. Examples of household goods are furniture, appliances, televisions, carpets, cooking and eating utensils and dishes. Personal effects are items of personal property that are worn or carried by an individual or that have an intimate relation to the individual. Examples of personal property include clothing, jewelry, personal care items, prosthetic devices and educational or recreational items such as books, musical instruments, or hobby materials.

L. Determining eligibility based on resources. When determining Medicaid eligibility, an individual shall be eligible in a month if his countable resources were at or below the resource standard on any day of such month.

Title of Regulation: 12VAC30-60. Standards Established and Methods Used to Assure High Quality Care (adding 12VAC30-60-500).

Statutory Authority: §§32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearings are scheduled.

Public Comments: Public comments may be submitted until November 14, 2008.

Agency Contact: Meredith Lee, Health Care Services Division, Department of Medical Assistance Services, 600 East Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-5040, FAX (804) 786-1680, or email meredith.lee@dmas.virginia.gov.

Basis: Section 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia grants to the Board of Medical Assistance Services the authority to administer and amend the Plan for Medical Assistance. Section 32.1-324 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the director of DMAS to administer and amend the Plan for Medical Assistance according to the board's requirements. The Medicaid authority as established by §1902 (a) of the Social Security Act (42 USC §1396a) provides governing authority for payments for services.

This action was also mandated by the 2006 Appropriation Act, Items 302 CC and GG. In Chapter 847 of the 2007 Acts of Assembly, Item 302 FFF required DMAS to add chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to the conditions already covered under the DMAS Disease Management program.

Purpose: The Commonwealth of Virginia seeks to offer a voluntary alternative benefits package that combines traditional Medicaid services with new, comprehensive disease management (DM) services. This initiative will be established under authority granted by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, P.L. 109-171, State Flexibility in Benefits Packages. This option provides states with the opportunity to offer an alternative benefits package to beneficiaries without regard to comparability (42 CFR 440.240) and certain other traditional Medicaid requirements.

The DM program offered through the alternative benefits package is called Healthy Returns^SM. Healthy Returns^SM targets chronic care conditions in both children and adults. It provides DM services statewide to Medicaid clients eligible for Title XIX Medicaid fee-for-service. The program provides services on an "opt-in" basis so individuals eligible for the program must proactively enroll to receive DM services. The goal of this program is to improve a patient’s ability to manage his condition(s) and thereby improve his health and quality of life.

Substance: The section of the State Plan for Medical Assistance that is affected by this action is Attachment 3.1-C; Standards Established and Methods used to Assure High Quality Care: Alternate Benefits for Disease Management (12VAC30-60).

The alternative benefits disease management program is described in a new regulatory section, 12VAC30-60-500. The alternative benefits package that includes Healthy Returns^SM DM services will be offered to all Medicaid and Medicaid expansion enrollees who meet the criteria for Healthy Returns^SM with the exception of:

1. Individuals enrolled in managed care organizations (managed care organizations already provide these same DM services to their beneficiaries);

2. Individuals enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles);

3. Individuals who live in institutional settings (such as nursing homes); and

4. Individuals who have third-party insurance.

The Virginia program will also include individuals who receive home- and community-based 1915(c) waiver services. Virginia currently has seven home- and community-based services waiver programs.

Virginia’s chronic condition alternative benefits program is designed to meet the following objectives:

1. Identification, evaluation, and management of disease state(s) specified in the contract;

2. Adherence to national evidence-based disease management practice guidelines in order to improve participants’ health status;

3. Integration of preventive care into the clinical management tool;

4. Overall reduction of acute medical expenditures, on average, for the population of participants served;

5. Reduction in hospital admissions and nonemergent emergency department use;

6. Coordination and reduction of inappropriate medication;

7. Increased participant and provider education and participant self-management skills;

8. Measured indication of participant and provider satisfaction with program;

9. Coordination of participant care including establishment of coordination between providers, the participant, and the community; and

10. Regular reporting of clinical outcome measures, profiles of participants and providers, and Medicaid health care expenditures of participants.

Previous emergency regulations provided that any qualifying individual in fee-for-service who was determined to have asthma and diabetes could participate in this program and also provided that qualifying individuals 21 years and older having coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were eligible for the Healthy Returns^SM program. In this proposed regulation, the language "for individuals age 21 and over" has been changed to read "for individuals age 18 and over" to modify the provisions that any fee-for-service individual 18 years or older having CAD, CHF, or COPD may elect to participate in this program.

Healthy Returns^SM may cover, but will not be limited to covering, the following conditions:

1. Asthma (all qualifying fee-for-service individuals);

2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (individuals 18 years old and over)--The emergency regulations stated that all qualifying individuals in fee-for-service who have COPD and are aged 21 years or older, are eligible for the Healthy Returns^SM program. In this proposed regulation, for COPD, the language has been changed to "individuals age 18 and over" are eligible for the Healthy Returns^SM program;

3. Congestive heart failure (CHF) (individuals 18 years old and over)--The emergency regulations stated that all qualifying individuals in fee-for-service who have CHF and are aged 21 years or older, are eligible for the Healthy Returns^SM program. In this proposed regulation package, for CHF, the language has been changed to “individuals age 18 and over” are eligible for the Healthy Returns^SM program;

4. Coronary artery disease (CAD) (individuals 18 years old and over)--The emergency regulations stated that all qualifying individuals in fee-for-service who have CAD and are aged 21 years or older, are eligible for the Healthy Returns^SM program. In this proposed regulation, for CAD, the language has been changed to “individuals age 18 and over” are eligible for the Healthy Returns^SM program;

5. Diabetes (all qualifying fee-for-service individuals).

The Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) enrollees are shown as being excluded (12VAC 30-60-500(B)(2)(e)) in this additional benefit because they already receive this benefit under Title XXI (see 12 VAC 30-141-200).

Various technical edits and corrections have been made in this proposed stage over the previous emergency regulatory action to conform this new Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) section to the Registrar’s style and format requirements.

Issues: Increased preventive care and patient education increases participants’ ability to effectively manage chronic conditions and ultimately decrease the number of hospitalizations and inappropriate emergency room use. The goal of Healthy Returns^SM is to improve the health and quality of life for program participants. Participants with asthma, COPD, CHF, CAD, and diabetes stand to greatly benefit from the support, education, and interventions provided through disease management.

Since this is strictly an opt-in benefit, the regulatory action poses no disadvantages to the public or the Commonwealth.

The Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis:

Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. Pursuant to the legislative mandates¹, the Department of Medical Assistance Services proposes to establish a voluntary disease management program for Medicaid adult and children fee-for-service recipients with chronic care conditions. The proposed regulations have temporarily been in effect since January 2006 under emergency regulations.

Result of Analysis. There is insufficient data to accurately compare the magnitude of the benefits versus the costs.

Estimated Economic Impact. Pursuant to the legislative mandates¹, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) proposes to establish a disease management (DM) program for Medicaid fee-for-service recipients with chronic care conditions. The proposed permanent DM program covers all adult and children enrolled in the Medicaid fee-for-service delivery model who have asthma or diabetes and individuals 18 years and older² who have coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The participation in the program is voluntary. The proposed DM program has been known in practice as Healthy Returns^SM program.

The purpose of a DM program is to improve the health status of the recipients with chronic diseases while reducing treatment costs. A DM program may improve health status by establishing a coordinated system of intervention and information sharing, encouraging healthcare providers to use proven practice guidelines, educating patients about their condition and how to avoid complications, and monitoring patient outcomes.³ Healthy Returns^SM program specifically focuses on preventive care, promotion of self-management, and appropriate use of medical services.⁴ According to DMAS, approximately 14,488 recipients were actively enrolled in the program as of November 2007.

Currently, Medicaid recipients enrolled in managed care organizations have access to DM programs through their managed care organizations. The proposed regulations make access to DM programs available for fee-for-service recipients.

The main expected benefits of the program are improving the status and the quality of health outcomes and preventing more expensive and serious medical services such as inpatient admissions and emergency visits. Based on the preliminary evaluation of one-year results, DMAS finds the program generally successful in improving health outcomes, but acknowledges improvement is needed in some areas.4 While reducing health care costs is also an important goal of the program, there is no available data to measure the amount of savings the program may have produced.

On the other hand, providing DM services to about 15,000 recipients requires significant resources. DMAS provides DM services through a contractor. The contractor received $2.3 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 for DM services provided and the projected payments for the FY 2008 are $4.2 million.

Businesses and Entities Affected. The proposed DM program will directly affect one DM contractor and the participating enrollees. As of November 2007, approximately 14,488 recipients were voluntarily enrolled in the program. The program may also have indirect effects on certain health care providers. As discussed above, DM programs increase utilization of preventative care in order to reduce inpatient admissions and emergency room visits.

Localities Particularly Affected. The proposed regulations apply throughout the Commonwealth. However, localities where managed care is not available are expected to be affected more than others.

Projected Impact on Employment. The effect of proposed DM program on employment is ambiguous. On one hand the demand for labor is expected to increase due to administration of the program and preventative health care services. On the other hand, demand for labor is expected to decrease due to likely reduction in inpatient admissions and emergency room visits. The net effect on labor demand is uncertain.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. The proposed regulations are expected to increase the asset value of the contractor due to increased revenues and the asset value of premeditative health care service provider while the asset value of inpatient and emergency services are expected to decrease.

Small Businesses: Costs and Other Effects. The proposed regulations do not have a direct effect on any small businesses. However, if some of the Medicaid inpatient and emergency services providers are small businesses, there may be a reduction in their revenues.

Small Businesses: Alternative Method that Minimizes Adverse Impact. In order to implement a DM program, a reduction in the use of inpatient and emergency services appear to be unavoidable.

Real Estate Development Costs. There are no anticipated effects of the real estate development costs.

Legal Mandate. The Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) has analyzed the economic impact of this proposed regulation in accordance with § 2.2-4007.04 of the Administrative Process Act and Executive Order Number 36 (06). Section 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include, but need not be limited to, the projected number of businesses or other entities to whom the regulation would apply, the identity of any localities and types of businesses or other entities particularly affected, the projected number of persons and employment positions to be affected, the projected costs to affected businesses or entities to implement or comply with the regulation, and the impact on the use and value of private property. Further, if the proposed regulation has adverse effect on small businesses, § 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include (i) an identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the regulation; (ii) the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs required for small businesses to comply with the regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparing required reports and other documents; (iii) a statement of the probable effect of the regulation on affected small businesses; and (iv) a description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the regulation. The analysis presented above represents DPB’s best estimate of these economic impacts.

____________________________________

¹ 2006 Appropriation Act, Items 302 CC and GG and the 2007 Acts of Assembly, Chapter 847, Item 302 FFF.

² The emergency regulations covers individuals 21 years and older who have coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

³ Rural Medicaid Disease Management: Afterthought or Strategic Aim? Report of a National Study, The Council of State Governments and Julia F. Costich, J.D., Ph.D., August 2007.

⁴ Virginia Medicaid Healthy Returns^SM Disease Management Program, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, November 1, 2007.

Agency's Response to the Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis: The Department of Medical Assistance Services has reviewed the economic impact analysis prepared by the Department of Planning and Budget regarding the regulations concerning Disease Management 12VAC30-60-500. The agency raises no issues with this analysis.

Summary:

The proposed amendments establish a voluntary alternative benefit package (known as the Healthy Returns^SM program) that combines traditional Medicaid services with comprehensive disease management (DM) services. Previous emergency regulations provided that (i) both adults and children in fee-for-service who are determined to have asthma and diabetes could participate in this program and (ii) individuals 21 years and older having coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were eligible for the Healthy Returns^SM program. The substantive change recommended in the proposed regulations is to drop the age limit of 21 years for CHF, CAD, and COPD to age 18 years and older.

12VAC30-60-500. Disease management services.

A. The Commonwealth elects to provide secretary-approved coverage as appropriate for the population served under §1937 of the Social Security Act (the Act). Virginia’s disease management program is designed to help patients better understand and manage their condition or conditions through prevention, education, lifestyle changes, and adherence to their physician-prescribed plans of care (POC). The purpose of the program is not to offer medical advice, but rather to support providers in reinforcing patients’ POCs.

B. Populations.

1. The Commonwealth shall provide the alternative benefit package to individuals who voluntarily enroll in the program (opt-in). Individuals shall be informed of the available benefit options prior to having the option to voluntarily enroll.

a. Opt-in alternative coverage will be offered to the following populations of Medicaid recipients:

(1) All individuals in fee-for-service who have asthma or diabetes.

(2) All individuals in fee-for-service age 18 and over who have congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

b. Individuals who choose to participate in the opt-in program shall maintain their eligibility for the regular Medicaid benefits at all times.

2. Persons excluded from this program shall be those:

a. Who have third-party insurance;

b. Who are enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations;

c. Who reside in institutional settings;

d. Who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles); or

e. Who are children enrolled in Virginia’s Title XXI program, Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS). Children enrolled in FAMIS receive disease management services through the FAMIS program pursuant to 12VAC30-141-200.

3. The Commonwealth shall inform each individual that such enrollment is voluntary, that such individual may opt out of such alternative benefit package at any time, and retain eligibility for the standard Medicaid program under the State Plan.

4. Individuals are to be encouraged to participate in the program through mailings and telephonic outreach by DMAS or the disease management program administrator.

C. Benchmark benefits. In addition to all regular Medicaid program benefits, the alternative benefit package includes at least the following disease management services:

1. Condition-specific education on an ongoing basis;

2. Access to a 24-hour nurse call line;

3. Regularly scheduled telephonic condition management, support and referrals (for individuals identified by DMAS as having more acute or intensive health care needs); and

4. Patient health activity monitoring and providing information feedback to primary care physicians to help facilitate changes to patients’ plans of care pursuant to the provision of disease management services (for individuals identified by DMAS as having more acute or intensive health care needs).

D. Geographical classification. Services under this alternative benefit package shall be available statewide.

E. Service delivery system. Alternative benefits shall be offered through a prepaid ambulatory health plan, under contract with the Commonwealth. All other Medicaid State Plan services shall be provided on a fee-for-service basis.

F. Additional assurances.

1. The Commonwealth assures that individuals shall have access, through benchmark coverage, benchmark-equivalent coverage, or otherwise, to rural health clinic services and federally qualified health center services as defined in §1905(a)(2) (B) and (C) of the Act.

2. The Commonwealth assures that payment for rural health clinic and federally qualified health clinic services shall be made in accordance with the requirements of §1902(bb) of the Act.

G. Cost effectiveness of plans. Benchmark or benchmark-equivalent coverage and any additional benefits are provided in accordance with economy and efficiency principles.

H. Compliance with the law. The Commonwealth shall continue to comply with all other provisions of the Social Security Act in the administration of the Commonwealth’s disease management program under this chapter.

Title of Regulation: 12VAC30-80. Methods and Standards for Establishing Payment Rates; other Types of Care (amending 12VAC30-80-190).

Statutory Authority: §§32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Dates: August 27, 2008, through August 26, 2009.

Agency Contact: Carla Russell, Project Manager, Department of Medical Assistance Services, 600 East Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 225-4586, FAX (804) 786-1680, or email carla.russell@dmas.virginia.gov.

Preamble:

Section 2.2-4011 of the Administrative Process Act provides that agencies may adopt emergency regulations in situations in which Virginia statutory law, the Virginia appropriation act, or federal law or regulation requires that a regulation shall be effective in 280 days or less from its enactment.

Item 306 PP of the 2008 Appropriation Act directed recalibration of Resource Based Relative Value System (RBRVS) physician rates and implementation of site of service differentials. This regulation is intended to satisfy the mandate effective July 1, 2008.

12VAC30-80-190 is being amended to implement a site of service differential for RBRVS physician rates. Payment for physician services in some cases will be recalibrated to implement different rates for services depending on the site of service, based on the relative value units (RVUs) for a procedure code published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). For procedure codes that can be performed in either a facility or nonfacility, CMS has been publishing separate RVUs for several years and Medicare rates are based on site of service.

Currently, DMAS uses only the nonfacility RVU in calculating rates. Different Medicaid rates by site of service will be phased in over a four-year period. In FY09, DMAS will add 75% of the difference between the facility RVU and nonfacility RVU to the facility RVU. In FY10, DMAS will add 50% of the difference between the facility RVU and nonfacility RVU to the facility RVU. In FY11, DMAS will add 25% of the difference between the facility RVU and nonfacility RVU to the facility RVU. In subsequent fiscal years, DMAS will use the Medicare facility RVU.

Different rates based on site of service will be implemented in a budget neutral manner. Any savings in total reimbursement to physicians as a result of the implementation of site of service rates will be reallocated proportionately to all physician categories of service as a percentage increase. The annual RBRVS update to physician services will be performed in conjunction with the implementation of site of service.

12VAC30-80-190. State agency fee schedule for RBRVS.

A. Reimbursement of fee-for-service providers. Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 1995, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) shall reimburse fee-for-service providers, with the exception of home health services (see 12VAC30-80-180) and durable medical equipment services (see 12VAC30-80-30), using a fee schedule that is based on a Resource Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS).

B. Fee schedule.

1. For those services or procedures which are included in the RBRVS published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as amended from time to time, DMAS' fee schedule shall employ the Relative Value Units (RVUs) developed by CMS as periodically updated.

a. Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2008, DMAS shall implement site of service differentials and employ both non-facility and facility RVUs. The implementation shall be budget neutral using the methodology in subsection 2 below.

b. The implementation of site of service shall be transitioned over a four-year period.

(1) Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2008, DMAS shall calculate the transitioned facility RVU by adding 75 percent of the difference between the facility RVU and non-facility RVU to the facility RVU.

(2) Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2009, DMAS shall calculate the transitioned facility RVU by adding 50 percent of the difference between the facility RVU and non-facility RVU to the facility RVU.

(3) Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2010, DMAS shall calculate the transitioned facility RVU by adding 25 percent of the difference between the facility RVU and non-facility RVU to the facility RVU.

(4) Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2011, DMAS shall use the unadjusted Medicare facility RVU.

2. DMAS shall calculate the RBRVS-based fees using conversion factors (CFs) published from time to time by CMS. DMAS shall adjust CMS' CFs by additional factors so that no change in expenditure will result solely from the implementation of the RBRVS-based fee schedule. DMAS may revise the additional factors when CMS updates its RVUs or CFs so that no change in expenditure will result solely from such updates. Except for this adjustment, DMAS' CFs shall be the same as those published from time to time by CMS. The calculation of the additional factors shall be based on the assumption that no change in services provided will occur as a result of these changes to the fee schedule. The determination of the additional factors required above shall be accomplished by means of the following calculation:

a. The estimated amount of DMAS expenditures if DMAS were to use Medicare's RVUs and CFs without modification, is equal to the sum, across all relevant procedure codes, of the RVU value published by the CMS, multiplied by the applicable conversion factor published by the CMS, multiplied by the number of occurrences of the procedure code in DMAS patient claims in the most recent period of time (at least six months).

b. The estimated amount of DMAS expenditures, if DMAS were not to calculate new fees based on the new CMS RVUs and CFs, is equal to the sum, across all relevant procedure codes, of the existing DMAS fee multiplied by the number of occurrences of the procedures code in DMAS patient claims in the period of time used in subdivision 2 a of this subsection.

c. The relevant additional factor is equal to the ratio of the expenditure estimate (based on DMAS fees in subdivision 2 b of this subsection) to the expenditure estimate based on unmodified CMS values in subdivision 2 a of this subsection.

d. DMAS shall calculate a separate additional factor for:

(1) Emergency room services (defined as the American Medical Association's (AMA) publication of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 99281, 99282, 99283, 99284, and 992851 in effect at the time the service is provided);

(2) Obstetrical/gynecological services (defined as maternity care and delivery procedures, female genital system procedures, obstetrical/gynecological-related radiological procedures, and mammography procedures, as defined by the American Medical Association’s (AMA) publication of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) manual in effect at the time the service is provided);

(3) Pediatric preventive services (defined as preventive E&M procedures, excluding those listed in subdivision 2 d (1) of this subsection, as defined by the AMA’s publication of the CPT manual, in effect at the time the service is provided, for recipients under age 21);

(4) Pediatric primary services (defined as evaluation and management (E&M) procedures, excluding those listed in subdivisions 2 d (1) and 2 d (3) of this subsection, as defined by the AMA’s publication of the CPT manual, in effect at the time the service is provided, for recipients under age 21);

(5) Adult primary and preventive services (defined as E&M procedures, excluding those listed in subdivision 2 d (1) of this subsection, as defined by the AMA's publication of the CPT manual, in effect at the time the service is provided, for recipients age 21 and over); and

(6) All other procedures set through the RBRVS process combined.

3. For those services or procedures for which there are no established RVUs, DMAS shall approximate a reasonable relative value payment level by looking to similar existing relative value fees. If DMAS is unable to establish a relative value payment level for any service or procedure, the fee shall not be based on a RBRVS, but shall instead be based on the previous fee-for-service methodology.

4. Fees shall not vary by geographic locality.

5. Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2007, fees for emergency room services (defined in subdivision 2 d ­(1) of this subsection) shall be increased by 5.0% relative to the fees that would otherwise be in effect.

C. Effective for dates of service on or after May 1, 2006, fees for obstetrical/gynecological services (defined in subdivision B 2 d (2) of this section) shall be increased by 2.5% relative to the fees in effect on July 1, 2005.

D. Effective for dates of service on or after May 1, 2006, fees for pediatric services (defined in subdivisions B 2 d (3) and (4) of this section) shall be increased by 5.0% relative to the fees in effect on July 1, 2005. Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2006, fees for pediatric services (defined in subdivisions B 2 d (3) and (4) of this section) shall be increased by 5.0% relative to the fees in effect on May 1, 2006. Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2007, fees for pediatric primary services (defined in subdivision B 2 d (4) of this section) shall be increased by 10% relative to the fees that would otherwise be in effect.

E. Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2007, fees for pediatric preventive services (defined in subdivision B 2 d (3) of this section) shall be increased by 10% relative to the fees that would otherwise be in effect.

F. Effective for dates of service on or after May 1, 2006, fees for adult primary and preventive services (defined in subdivision B 2 d (4) of this section) shall be increased by 5.0% relative to the fees in effect on July 1, 2005. Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2007, fees for adult primary and preventive services (defined in subdivision B 2 d (5) of this section) shall be increased by 5.0% relative to the fees that would otherwise be in effect.

G. Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2007, fees for all other procedures set through the RBRVS process combined (defined in subdivision B 2 d (6) of this section) shall be increased by 5.0% relative to the fees that would otherwise be in effect.

Title of Regulation: 12VAC30-120. Waivered Services (amending 12VAC30-120-370, 12VAC30-120-380).

Statutory Authority: §§32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearings are scheduled.

Public Comments: Public comments may be submitted until November 14, 2008.

Agency Contact: Adrienne Fegans, Program Operations Administrator, Department of Medical Assistance Services, 600 East Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-4112, FAX (804) 786-1680, or email adrienne.fegans@dmas.virginia.gov.

Basis: Section 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia grants to the Board of Medical Assistance Services the authority to administer and amend the Plan for Medical Assistance. Section 32.1-324 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the Director of DMAS to administer and amend the Plan for Medical Assistance according to the board's requirements. The Medicaid authority as established by §1902 (a) of the Social Security Act (42 USC §1396a) provides governing authority for payments for services.

The legislation (Chapter 3, 2006 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I) directed DMAS, in consultation with the appropriate stakeholders, to develop a long-range blueprint for the development and implementation of an integrated acute and long-term care system. In addition to this plan, the department was directed to move forward with two different models for the integration of acute and long-term care services: a community model (Chapter 847 Item 302, AAA) and the regional model (Item 302, BBB). Item 302 M.1 and M.2 of the 2006 Acts of Assembly provided DMAS with the authority to seek federal approval of these changes to its MEDALLION and Medallion II waivers.

Purpose: In order to best protect the health, safety, and welfare of the persons who qualify for home and community-based care services, DMAS is proposing that they retain their enrollment in their managed care organizations once approved for waiver services rather than being required to seek needed acute care services from the fee-for-service program. This change will sustain already established physician-patient relationships for these often fragile Medicaid recipients.

The goals of this action are to (i) better support these affected often fragile Medicaid recipients in their receipt of acute care services, once they qualify for waiver services and (ii) begin the process of integrating acute and long-term care services as mandated to the department.

Substance: Managed care systems (MCOs) were introduced in the Commonwealth in 1996. Currently, 114 localities are served by MCOs, with their approved provider networks that provide services to 400,783 Medicaid recipients. DMAS expends $1.17 billion on capitation rates for the seven MCOs that operate in the Commonwealth. The recipients who live in localities of the Commonwealth that are not served by MCOs obtain their acute medical care from individual fee-for-service providers. Presently, when a recipient who has been in managed care qualifies for waiver services, this individual is disenrolled from his MCO thereby requiring that he obtain his acute care services from individual fee-for-service providers. This has disrupted long-standing physician-patient relationships and forced vulnerable Medicaid recipients to negotiate a complex, unmanaged health care system on their own.

Governor Timothy Kaine, with support from the 2006 General Assembly, set in motion a major reform of the Virginia Medicaid funded long-term care services program to focus on care coordination and integration of acute and long-term care services for our most vulnerable citizens—low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. The legislation (Chapter 3, 2006 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I) directed DMAS, in consultation with the appropriate stakeholders, to develop a long-range blueprint for the development and implementation of an integrated acute and long-term care system. In addition to this plan, the department was directed to move forward with two different models for the integration of acute and long-term care services: a community model and a regional model.

The proposed change will permit managed care enrolled persons to remain in their MCOs while receiving their waiver services. Excluded from this proposed program change are those persons who qualify for the Technology Assisted Waiver, nursing facility residents and persons classified as dual eligibles (Medicare-Medicaid eligibles).

The home and community-based waiver population is currently excluded from participation in the managed care program. This policy derives from years of federal policy that precluded recipients from participating in more than one waiver program at a time. In light of the ever-increasing nationwide aging population, more federal policy options are available to the states than ever before.

This regulatory change will expand managed care operations over previously "unmanaged" populations and also integrate acute and long-term care by increasing care coordination for the elderly and certain persons with disabilities. This program change will prevent enrollees, when they are approved for CBC waiver services, from having to change their current managed care organization for their acute medical care, therefore eliminating any disruptions in care (loss of established provider relationships). Key provisions allow for MCO enrollees who are newly enrolled into the HIV-AIDS, IFDDS, MR, EDCD, Day Support, and Alzheimer’s Waiver programs to continue enrollment in one of the contracted MCOs for their acute care medical needs.

Issues: There are no disadvantages to the public for these proposed regulations. The advantages to the public and the Commonwealth are that reductions in Medicaid expenditures may be realized for the coordination of services previously provided in an unmanaged care environment. Medicaid recipients will still have ready access to medical and long-term care providers and services.

The degree of chronic illness and disability among seniors and individuals with disabilities is a key policy and budget issue for the Commonwealth as well as nationwide with the graying of the general population. Seniors and individuals with disabilities make up 30% of the Medicaid population in the state, but 70% of the costs of a budget that now exceeds $5 billion annually. The Commonwealth’s challenge is curbing Medicaid growth in the long run without compromising access to services for vulnerable populations. While Virginia has been successful in implementing managed care for low-income children and families, it has not yet applied the same successful principles to programs specifically designed for the long-term care populations. Currently in Virginia, most Medicaid seniors and individuals with disabilities receive acute and long-term care services through a patchwork of fragmented health and social programs that are not necessarily responsive to individual consumer needs. Acute care for these often fragile individuals is provided in a fee-for-service environment with little chronic care management. Long-term care is provided in a nursing facility or by a variety of home and community-based care providers with little overall care coordination or case management. In addition, many Medicaid seniors and individuals with disabilities qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, which further complicates the access, quality, and funding of an integrated system.

This regulatory change responds to the need to expand managed care operations over "unmanaged" populations and also integrate acute and long-term care by improving the current system and increasing care coordination for the elderly and disabled population.

The Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis:

Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. The proposed changes allow Medicaid recipients to retain their enrollment in managed care organizations and access needed acute care services through their managed care organization when they qualify for certain waivers. The proposed changes have been mandated by the 2006 Acts of Assembly and have been in effect since September 2007 under emergency regulations.

Result of Analysis. The benefits likely exceed the costs for all proposed changes.

Estimated Economic Impact. The main goal of the proposed regulations is to prevent disruption of a recipient’s relationship with his/her managed care organization when they become eligible for certain waivers¹. The proposed changes have been mandated by the 2006 Acts of Assembly² and have been in effect since September 2007 under emergency regulations.

Prior to the emergency regulations, when a managed care recipient enrolled in certain community-based care waivers, they were required to disenroll from their managed care organization and were provided acute care services through the fee-for-service delivery model. With the proposed changes, when a managed care recipient enrolls in the certain community-based care waivers, their acute care services will be provided through the managed care service delivery model rather than the fee-for-service delivery model, and they will not be required to drop their enrollment in the managed care organization.

The main fiscal effect of the proposed changes would be the cost difference of providing acute care services to approximately 500 individuals under fee-for-service delivery model versus delivering the same services under managed care model. Department of Medical Services (DMAS) estimates that fee-for-service payments would be about the same as managed care payments to provide acute care services rendering the proposed changes budget neutral.

A significant benefit of the proposed changes is preventing the interruption of the relationship between the managed care provider and the recipient. Prior to the emergency regulations, the recipient were required to disenroll from his/her managed care organization and receive services under unmanaged fee-for-service delivery model. Since managed care organizations have access to an individuals’ health history and have case management resources already in place, uninterrupted relationship is expected to produce better health outcomes and prevent otherwise likely health care costs.

Businesses and Entities Affected. The proposed regulations are expected to primarily affect approximately 500 recipients and seven managed care organizations.

Localities Particularly Affected. The proposed changes are statewide. However, the effects of the proposed changes are likely to occur in areas where managed care is available. According to DMAS, 114 localities are currently served by managed care organizations.

Projected Impact on Employment. The proposed changes are not expected to create any significant effect on employment.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. The proposed changes are not expected to create any significant effect on the use and value of private property.

Small Businesses: Costs and Other Effects. The proposed changes are not expected to impose any significant costs or other affects on small businesses.

Small Businesses: Alternative Method that Minimizes Adverse Impact. No effect on small businesses is anticipated.

Real Estate Development Costs. No effect on real estate development costs is anticipated.

Legal Mandate. The Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) has analyzed the economic impact of this proposed regulation in accordance with § 2.2-4007.04 of the Administrative Process Act and Executive Order Number 36 (06). Section 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include, but need not be limited to, the projected number of businesses or other entities to whom the regulation would apply, the identity of any localities and types of businesses or other entities particularly affected, the projected number of persons and employment positions to be affected, the projected costs to affected businesses or entities to implement or comply with the regulation, and the impact on the use and value of private property. Further, if the proposed regulation has adverse effect on small businesses, § 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include (i) an identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the regulation; (ii) the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs required for small businesses to comply with the regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparing required reports and other documents; (iii) a statement of the probable effect of the regulation on affected small businesses; and (iv) a description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the regulation. The analysis presented above represents DPB’s best estimate of these economic impacts.

_________________________

¹ The certain waivers referenced are the following community-based care waivers: HIV-AIDS waiver, Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities Support waiver, Mental Retardation waiver, Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction waiver, Day Support waiver, and Alzheimer’s waiver.

² Chapter 847, Item 302, AAA, BBB, M.1, M.2.

Agency's Response to the Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis: The Department of Medical Assistance Services concurs with the economic impact analysis prepared by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget regarding the regulations concerning Acute Long Term Care (12VAC 30-120-370; 12VAC 30-120-380).

Summary:

This proposed change, generally referred to as Phase I of the Integration of Acute and Long-Term Care, will permit persons who become newly enrolled home-based and commnity-based care (CBC) waiver recipients (HIV-AIDS, Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities Support (IFDDS), Mental Retardation (MR), Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD), Day Support, and Alzheimer’s Waiver programs) to retain their enrollment in their managed care organization for purposes of obtaining needed acute medical care. Excluded from this change will be persons newly admitted to the Technology Assisted waiver, to nursing facilities, and those persons who become dual eligibles (eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid). Prior to the agency’s current emergency regulation, these persons have been disenrolled from their managed care organization (once they qualify for certain CBC waivers) and have been required to seek needed acute care services in the unmanaged fee-for-service environment. The persons who will be affected by this change will have their home-based and community-based waiver services, including necessary transportation to waiver services, reimbursed by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) through a fee-for-service mechanism. The managed care organizations will be financially responsible for these affected persons’ acute medical care.

12VAC30-120-370. Medallion II enrollees.

A. DMAS shall determine enrollment in Medallion II. Enrollment in Medallion II is not a guarantee of continuing eligibility for services and benefits under the Virginia Medical Assistance Services Program. DMAS reserves the right to exclude from participation in the Medallion II managed care program any recipient who has been consistently noncompliant with the policies and procedures of managed care or who is threatening to providers, MCOs, or DMAS. There must be sufficient documentation from various providers, the MCO, and DMAS of these noncompliance issues and any attempts at resolution. Recipients excluded from Medallion II through this provision may appeal the decision to DMAS.

B. The following individuals shall be excluded (as defined in 12VAC30-120-360) from participating in Medallion II. Individuals not meeting the exclusion criteria must participate in the Medallion II program.

1. Individuals who are inpatients in state mental hospitals;

2. Individuals who are approved by DMAS as inpatients in long-stay hospitals, nursing facilities, or intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded;

3. Individuals who are placed on spend-down;

4. Individuals who are participating in the family planning waiver, and or in federal waiver programs for home-based and community-based Medicaid coverage prior to managed care enrollment;

5. Individuals who are participating in foster care or subsidized adoption programs;

6. Individuals under age 21 who are enrolled in DMAS authorized residential treatment or treatment foster care programs;

7. Newly eligible individuals who are in the third trimester of pregnancy and who request exclusion within a department-specified timeframe of the effective date of their MCO enrollment. Exclusion may be granted only if the member's obstetrical provider (physician or hospital) does not participate with the enrollee's assigned MCO. Exclusion requests made during the third trimester may be made by the recipient, MCO, or provider. DMAS shall determine if the request meets the criteria for exclusion. Following the end of the pregnancy, these individuals shall be required to enroll to the extent they remain eligible for Medicaid;

8. Individuals, other than students, who permanently live outside their area of residence for greater than 60 consecutive days except those individuals placed there for medically necessary services funded by the MCO;

9. Individuals who receive hospice services in accordance with DMAS criteria;

10. Individuals with other comprehensive group or individual health insurance coverage, including Medicare, insurance provided to military dependents, and any other insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Premium Payment Program (HIPP);

11. Individuals requesting exclusion who are inpatients in hospitals, other than those listed in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, at the scheduled time of enrollment or who are scheduled for inpatient hospital stay or surgery within 30 calendar days of the enrollment effective date. The exclusion shall remain effective until the first day of the month following discharge;

12. Individuals who request exclusion during preassignment to an MCO or within a time set by DMAS from the effective date of their MCO enrollment, who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition and who have a life expectancy of six months or less. The client's physician must certify the life expectancy;

13. Certain individuals between birth and age three certified by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services as eligible for services pursuant to Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 USC §1471 et seq.) who are granted an exception by DMAS to the mandatory Medallion II enrollment;

14. Individuals who have an eligibility period that is less than three months;

15. Individuals who are enrolled in the Commonwealth's Title XXI SCHIP program;

16. Individuals who have an eligibility period that is only retroactive; and

17. Children enrolled in the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program established pursuant to Chapter 50 (§38.2-5000 et seq.) of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia.

C. Individuals enrolled with a MCO that subsequently meet one or more of the aforementioned criteria during MCO enrollment shall be excluded from MCO participation as determined by DMAS, with the exception of those who subsequently become recipients in the federal long-term care waiver programs, as otherwise defined elsewhere in this chapter, for home-based and community-based Medicaid coverage (AIDS, IFDDS, MR, EDCD, Day Support, or Alzheimers, or as may be amended from time to time). These individuals shall receive acute and primary medical services via the MCO and shall receive waiver services and related transportation to waiver services via the fee-for-service program.

Individuals excluded from mandatory managed care enrollment shall receive Medicaid services under the current fee-for-service system. When enrollees no longer meet the criteria for exclusion, they shall be required to enroll in the appropriate managed care program.

D. Medallion II managed care plans shall be offered to recipients, and recipients shall be enrolled in those plans, exclusively through an independent enrollment broker under contract to DMAS.

D. E. Clients shall be enrolled as follows:

1. All eligible persons, except those meeting one of the exclusions of subsection B of this section, shall be enrolled in Medallion II.

2. Clients shall receive a Medicaid card from DMAS, and shall be provided authorized medical care in accordance with DMAS' procedures after Medicaid eligibility has been determined to exist.

3. Once individuals are enrolled in Medicaid, they will receive a letter indicating that they may select one of the contracted MCOs. These letters shall indicate a preassigned MCO, determined as provided in subsection E F of this section, in which the client will be enrolled if he does not make a selection within a period specified by DMAS of not less than 30 days.

4. Any newborn whose mother is enrolled with an MCO at the time of birth shall be considered an enrollee of that same MCO for the newborn enrollment period. This requirement does not preclude the enrollee, once he is assigned a Medicaid identification number, from disenrolling from one MCO to another in accordance with subdivision F G 1 of this section.

The newborn's continued enrollment with the MCO is not contingent upon the mother's enrollment. Additionally, if the MCO's contract is terminated in whole or in part, the MCO shall continue newborn coverage if the child is born while the contract is active, until the newborn receives a Medicaid number or for the newborn enrollment period, whichever timeframe is earlier. Infants who do not receive a Medicaid identification number prior to the end of the newborn enrollment period will be disenrolled. Newborns who remain eligible for participation in Medallion II will be reenrolled in an MCO through the preassignment process upon receiving a Medicaid identification number.

5. Individuals who lose then regain eligibility for Medallion II within 60 days will be reenrolled into their previous MCO without going through preassignment and selection.

E. F. Clients who do not select an MCO as described in subdivision D E 3 of this section shall be assigned to an MCO as follows:

1. Clients are assigned through a system algorithm based upon the client's history with a contracted MCO.

2. Clients not assigned pursuant to subdivision 1 of this subsection shall be assigned to the MCO of another family member, if applicable.

3. All other clients shall be assigned to an MCO on a basis of approximately equal number by MCO in each locality.

4. In areas where there is only one contracted MCO, recipients have a choice of enrolling with the contracted MCO or the PCCM program. All eligible recipients in areas where one contracted MCO exists, however, are automatically assigned to the contracted MCO. Individuals are allowed 90 days after the effective date of new or initial enrollment to change from either the contracted MCO to the PCCM program or vice versa.

5. DMAS shall have the discretion to utilize an alternate strategy for enrollment or transition of enrollment from the method described in this section for expansions to new client populations, new geographical areas, expansion through procurement, or any or all of these.

F. G. Following their initial enrollment into an MCO or PCCM program, recipients shall be restricted to the MCO or PCCM program until the next open enrollment period, unless appropriately disenrolled or excluded by the department (as defined in 12VAC30-120-360).

1. During the first 90 calendar days of enrollment in a new or initial MCO, a client may disenroll from that MCO to enroll into another MCO or into PCCM, if applicable, for any reason. Such disenrollment shall be effective no later than the first day of the second month after the month in which the client requests disenrollment.

2. During the remainder of the enrollment period, the client may only disenroll from one MCO into another MCO or PCCM, if applicable, upon determination by DMAS that good cause exists as determined under subsection H I of this section.

G. H. The department shall conduct an annual open enrollment for all Medallion II participants. The open enrollment period shall be the 60 calendar days before the end of the enrollment period. Prior to the open enrollment period, DMAS will inform the recipient of the opportunity to remain with the current MCO or change to another MCO, without cause, for the following year. In areas with only one contracted MCO, recipients will be given the opportunity to select either the MCO or the PCCM program. Enrollment selections will be effective on the first day of the next month following the open enrollment period. Recipients who do not make a choice during the open enrollment period will remain with their current MCO selection.

H. I. Disenrollment for cause may be requested at any time.

1. After the first 90 days of enrollment in an MCO, clients must request disenrollment from DMAS based on cause. The request may be made orally or in writing to DMAS and must cite the reasons why the client wishes to disenroll. Cause for disenrollment shall include the following:

a. A recipient's desire to seek services from a federally qualified health center which is not under contract with the recipient's current MCO, and the recipient (i) requests a change to another MCO that subcontracts with the desired federally qualified health center or (ii) requests a change to the PCCM, if the federally qualified health center is contracting directly with DMAS as a PCCM;

b. Performance or nonperformance of service to the recipient by an MCO or one or more of its providers which is deemed by the department's external quality review organizations to be below the generally accepted community practice of health care. This may include poor quality care;

c. Lack of access to a PCP or necessary specialty services covered under the State Plan or lack of access to providers experienced in dealing with the enrollee's health care needs;

d. A client has a combination of complex medical factors that, in the sole discretion of DMAS, would be better served under another contracted MCO or PCCM program, if applicable, or provider;

e. The enrollee moves out of the MCO's service area;

f. The MCO does not, because of moral or religious objections, cover the service the enrollee seeks;

g. The enrollee needs related services to be performed at the same time; not all related services are available within the network, and the enrollee's primary care provider or another provider determines that receiving the services separately would subject the enrollee to unnecessary risk; or

h. Other reasons as determined by DMAS through written policy directives.

2. DMAS shall determine whether cause exists for disenrollment. Written responses shall be provided within a timeframe set by department policy; however, the effective date of an approved disenrollment shall be no later than the first day of the second month following the month in which the enrollee files the request, in compliance with 42 CFR 438.56.

3. Cause for disenrollment shall be deemed to exist and the disenrollment shall be granted if DMAS fails to take final action on a valid request prior to the first day of the second month after the request.

4. The DMAS determination concerning cause for disenrollment may be appealed by the client in accordance with the department's client appeals process at 12VAC30-110-10 through 12VAC30-110-380.

5. The current MCO shall provide, within two working days of a request from DMAS, information necessary to determine cause.

6. Individuals enrolled with a MCO that subsequently meet one or more of the exclusions in subsection B of this section during MCO enrollment shall be disenrolled as appropriate by DMAS, with the exception of those who subsequently become recipients into the AIDS, IFDDS, MR, EDCD, Day Support, or Alzheimer's federal waiver programs for home-based and community-based Medicaid coverage. These individuals shall receive acute and primary medical services via the MCO and shall receive waiver services and related transportation to waiver services via the fee-for-service program.

Individuals excluded from mandatory managed care enrollment shall receive Medicaid services under the current fee-for-service system. When enrollees no longer meet the criteria for exclusion, they shall be required to enroll in the appropriate managed care program.

12VAC30-120-380. Medallion II MCO responsibilities.

A. The MCO shall provide, at a minimum, all medically necessary covered services provided under the State Plan for Medical Assistance and further defined by written DMAS regulations, policies and instructions, except as otherwise modified or excluded in this part.

1. Nonemergency services provided by hospital emergency departments shall be covered by MCOs in accordance with rates negotiated between the MCOs and the emergency departments.

2. Services that shall be provided outside the MCO network shall include those services identified and defined by the contract between DMAS and the MCO. Services reimbursed by DMAS include dental and orthodontic services for children up to age 21; for all others, dental services (as described in 12VAC30-50-190), school health services (as defined in 12VAC30-120-360) and, community mental health services (rehabilitative, targeted case management and substance abuse services), and long-term care services provided under the §1915(c) home-based and community-based waivers including related transportation to such authorized waiver services.

3. The MCOs shall pay for emergency services and family planning services and supplies whether they are provided inside or outside the MCO network.

B. EPSDT services shall be covered by the MCO. The MCO shall have the authority to determine the provider of service for EPSDT screenings.

C. The MCOs shall report data to DMAS under the contract requirements, which may include data reports, report cards for clients, and ad hoc quality studies performed by the MCO or third parties.

D. Documentation requirements.

1. The MCO shall maintain records as required by federal and state law and regulation and by DMAS policy. The MCO shall furnish such required information to DMAS, the Attorney General of Virginia or his authorized representatives, or the State Medicaid Fraud Control Unit on request and in the form requested.

2. Each MCO shall have written policies regarding enrollee rights and shall comply with any applicable federal and state laws that pertain to enrollee rights and shall ensure that its staff and affiliated providers take those rights into account when furnishing services to enrollees in accordance with 42 CFR 438.100.

E. The MCO shall ensure that the health care provided to its clients meets all applicable federal and state mandates, community standards for quality, and standards developed pursuant to the DMAS managed care quality program.

F. The MCOs shall promptly provide or arrange for the provision of all required services as specified in the contract between the state and the contractor. Medical evaluations shall be available within 48 hours for urgent care and within 30 calendar days for routine care. On-call clinicians shall be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

G. The MCOs must meet standards specified by DMAS for sufficiency of provider networks as specified in the contract between the state and the contractor.

H. Each MCO and its subcontractors shall have in place, and follow, written policies and procedures for processing requests for initial and continuing authorizations of service. Each MCO and its subcontractors shall ensure that any decision to deny a service authorization request or to authorize a service in an amount, duration, or scope that is less than requested, be made by a health care professional who has appropriate clinical expertise in treating the enrollee's condition or disease. Each MCO and its subcontractors shall have in effect mechanisms to ensure consistent application of review criteria for authorization decisions and shall consult with the requesting provider when appropriate.

I. In accordance with 42 CFR 447.50 through 42 CFR 447.60, MCOs shall not impose any cost sharing obligations on enrollees except as set forth in 12VAC30-20-150 and 12VAC30-20-160.

J. An MCO may not prohibit, or otherwise restrict, a health care professional acting within the lawful scope of practice, from advising or advocating on behalf of an enrollee who is his patient in accordance with 42 CFR 438.102.

K. An MCO that would otherwise be required to reimburse for or provide coverage of a counseling or referral service is not required to do so if the MCO objects to the service on moral or religious grounds and furnishes information about the service it does not cover in accordance with 42 CFR 438.102.

Titles of Regulations: 16VAC30-90. Procedural Regulations for Filing First Reports Under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act (repealing 16VAC30-90-10 through 16VAC30-90-80).

16VAC30-91. Claims Reporting (adding 16VAC30-91-10, 16VAC30-91-20, 16VAC30-91-30).

Statutory Authority: §§65.2-201 and 65.2-900 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearings are scheduled.

Public Comments: Public comments may be submitted until 5 p.m. on November 14, 2008.

Agency Contact: Matthew Bryant, Director, Technology Alignment Program, Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, 1000 DMV Drive, Richmond, VA 23220, telephone (804) 367-2253, FAX (877) 432-5423, or email matthew.bryant@vwc.state.va.us.

Basis: The commission is an independent, nonexecutive branch agency, governed by three commissioners elected by the General Assembly. The commission is charged with carrying out the provisions of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act (§65.2-100 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). The commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations, and to examine the "books and records" of parties to proceedings relating to compensation pursuant to § 65.2-201 of the Code of Virginia. The commission is authorized to collect specific accident data, as well as "such other information as may be required by the Commission" concerning injuries, and to regulate this activity (§65.2-900 of the Code of Virginia). The commission is required to notify injured workers of their rights and also to provide reports to other state agencies concerning accidents (§§65.2-201 and 65.2-900 of the Code of Virginia). Any voluntary agreements as to compensation, falling outside the dispute resolution authority of the commission must be filed with the commission in the form prescribed by the commission (§65.2-701 of the Code of Virginia). Also, several of the commission’s dispute resolution rules concern data reporting, including rules requiring agreements, denial, and medical reports to be filed with the commission (16VAC30-50-50).

Purpose: Since the adoption of 16VAC30-90 in 1996, pertaining to the electronic filing of accident reports with the commission, technology and data standards have changed significantly. The commission desires to conform its electronic data collection methods to current industry practice, and provide its customers that are required to submit reports to the commission pursuant to the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act electronic methods that are simple, efficient, and effective. Accordingly, the commission proposes adopting 16VAC30-91, which seeks to conform its electronic data reporting methods to those of the nationwide workers' compensation community standards-setting organization, the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, or IAIABC.

Substance: This action is related to how organizations report certain data to the commission. There are no substantive changes to what the law requires to be reported, only to how the reports are transmitted to the commission. Thus, the substance of the action is this: effective July 1, 2009, such reports shall be filed electronically with the commission.

Issues: The primary advantage to the public and to the Commonwealth is the consistent, efficient and accurate electronic collection of data required by law. In this way the public can better comply with current reporting laws and the commission can better collect such reports. Of particular importance is the standard being proposed, which is industry-created, tested, and controlled, through the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, or the IAIABC. Most workers’ compensation jurisdictions, including the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, are members of the IAIABC, in addition to a vast array of private industry carriers, administrators, and workers’ compensation vendors.

The primary disadvantage to the public is that the reporting methods currently in operation (primarily paper submission) will be changing, and thus operations accustomed to reporting by hand, on paper, or through the mail, will be moving to an electronic system. It is believed that the available alternatives, including web-based submissions available through an Internet browser, will over time virtually eliminate any disadvantage this action might cause, and instead provide tremendous value to the public. There is no disadvantage to the Commonwealth other than in its role as an employer subject to workers’ compensation reporting requirements.

The Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis:

Summary of the Proposed Regulation. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (commission) proposes to repeal the existing regulations on claims reporting and promulgate a new replacement regulation to conform its electronic data reporting methods to the industry standard. The proposed regulation requires that the claims reports be filed with the commission through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or through the internet portal established by the commission effective July 1, 2009.

Results of Analysis. There is insufficient data to accurately compare the magnitude of the benefits versus the costs. Detailed analysis of the benefits and costs can be found in the next section.

Estimated Economic Impact. Adopted in 1996, the existing regulation allows both paper submission of the claim reports and electronic transmission via a non-standardized format developed specifically for the commission, with paper submission being the primary data transmission method. In order to conform to the significant changes in technology and data standards that have occurred over the years, the commission proposes to repeal the current regulation and promulgate a replacement regulation. The proposed regulation will require that effective July 1, 2009, all claims reports shall be filed electronically either through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or through the internet portal established by the commission. This proposed action will only change the way the claims reports are transmitted to the commission without making any substantive changes to the content of data to be reported. The commission will describe the technical specifications and update any changes to the technical formats in the "implementation guide" which will be published by May 1 of each year.

The proposed regulations will provide a consistent, efficient, and accurate electronic collection, based on the standard that is industry-created, tested, and controlled, through the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC). According to the commission, using EDI within the workers’ compensation community has been a long established practice. Currently thirty states use an IAIABC data standard for transacting EDI. Four states, including Virginia, are using a "proprietary" EID format to some degree¹ and are moving to an IAIABC format.

The organizations that are required to file workers’ compensation claims reports to the commission include the insurance carriers and the self-insured employers. According to the commission, about 80-90% of the insurance companies and self-insured employers either use a workers’ compensation vendor or purchase a claim management system from the vendors to do the reporting. Currently most of the vendors and the multi-state insurance companies are performing EDI reporting in some other jurisdictions. This proposed action will allow them to utilize their existing resources in a more efficient way and will likely generate economy of scales. The commission reports that it will cost these organizations a one-time expense ranging from $2,300 to $6,150 to modify their current data transmission systems to conform to Virginia’s specifications. Part or all of the costs on the vendors may later be passed on to the insurance companies and self-insured employers they serve in the form of higher prices. The other 10-20% of the insurance companies and self-insured are mostly small volume reporters that submit fewer than 100 claims annually. They may use the commission’s free internet-based submission method as an alternative to EDI processing. The use of alternative data transmission method will keep reporting consistent among all filers while minimizing the negative impact on small filers.

The commission will incur a one-time cost of about $3,537,772 to implement the new claims management system, half of which is attributed to electronic reporting. The commission will also spend $95,000 annually for using a data ingestion and cleansing service.

Moving from paper reporting to EDI processing will likely save the amount of time spent on transmitting the claims reports. The commission reports that on average each claim requires 2 claims reports², which may take 180 minutes to complete. EDI processing will replace these two paper reports with four EDI reports which will take 60 minutes to finish. Therefore, switching to EDI processing may cause an approximate saving of 120 minutes for each claim. The savings in time may reduce the service fees charged by the vendors. The commission estimates that approximately 200,000 claims are filed every year.

Businesses and Entities Affected. According to the commission, there are approximately 215 affiliated insurance companies and self-insured companies. Approximately 80-90% of them use vendors to do the reporting. Currently there are four reporting vendors and about 14 vendors who develop and sell the claims management systems.

Localities Particularly Affected. The proposed regulations will affect all of the localities in the Commonwealth.

Projected Impact on Employment. Moving from paper reporting to EDI processing will likely save the amount of time spent on transmitting the claims reports. For organizations that already perform EDI processing in other states, it may take a full-time employee two to four weeks to adjust their existing systems to Virginia’s specifications.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. Moving from paper reporting to EDI processing will likely save the amount of time spent on providing the claims reports for the reports, which may have a positive impact on the value of filers. Filers who are currently conducting EDI processing in some other jurisdictions will incur a one-time cost ranging from $2,300 to $6,150 to modify their current data transmission systems to conform to Virginia’s specifications. This cost may slightly reduce their profit and may have a slight adverse impact on the value of their properties.

Small Businesses: Costs and Other Effects. There are approximately 25 insurance companies or self-insured companies who are small businesses. They may use the free internet-based submission method as an alternative to EDI processing. Therefore, they will not be significantly affected by the proposed regulations.

Small Businesses: Alternative Method that Minimizes Adverse Impact. Small businesses will likely not be significantly affected by the proposed amendments.

Real Estate Development Costs. The proposed amendments are unlikely to significantly affect real estate development costs.

Legal Mandate. The Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) has analyzed the economic impact of this proposed regulation in accordance with § 2.2-4007.04 of the Administrative Process Act and Executive Order Number 36 (06). Section 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include, but need not be limited to, the projected number of businesses or other entities to whom the regulation would apply, the identity of any localities and types of businesses or other entities particularly affected, the projected number of persons and employment positions to be affected, the projected costs to affected businesses or entities to implement or comply with the regulation, and the impact on the use and value of private property. Further, if the proposed regulation has adverse effect on small businesses, § 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include (i) an identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the regulation; (ii) the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs required for small businesses to comply with the regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparing required reports and other documents; (iii) a statement of the probable effect of the regulation on affected small businesses; and (iv) a description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the regulation. The analysis presented above represents DPB’s best estimate of these economic impacts.

____________________________________

¹ The "proprietary" EDI format means that basic, fundamental data elements common to every workers’ compensation report, such as employee name and address, employer name and address, policy number, date of injury, etc., result in programming that is unique.

² Each claim will also require on average five other paper reports which will not be affected by this regulation.

Agency's Response to the Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis: The commission has no objection.

Summary:

This action repeals 16VAC30-90 and promulgates 16VAC30-91 to conform the electronic filing method for mandatory reports to the commission to the industry standard for such reports.

CHAPTER 91
CLAIMS REPORTING

16VAC30-91-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Claims reports" means FROI and SROI reports concerning an injury filed by or on behalf of an insurer or self-insurer with the commission pursuant to the requirements set forth in the implementation guide.

"Commission" means the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission.

"EDI" or "electronic data interchange" means the method used to exchange data electronically between the commission and those organizations submitting claims reports to the commission.

"Filed electronically" means filed with the commission through EDI or through the Internet portal established by the commission for submission of claims reports, pursuant to the requirements set forth in the implementation guide.

"First report of injury" or "FROI" means the initial claims report filed with the commission concerning an injury.

"Implementation guide" means the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Implementation Guide, May 1, 2008 Edition, which contains requirements published and updated by the commission to be followed when claims reports are filed electronically with the commission.

"Insurer" means a company licensed to write workers' compensation coverage in Virginia.

"Minor injury" means an injury that meets none of the following seven reporting criteria:

1. Lost time or partial disability exceeding seven days.

2. Medical expenses exceeding $1,000.

3. Any denial of compensability.

4. Any disputed issues.

5. An accident that results in death.

6. Any permanent disability or disfigurement.

7. Any specific request made by the commission.

"Self-insurer" means an entity providing workers' compensation coverage directly to its employees based on formal approval by either the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission or the State Corporation Commission.

"Subsequent report of injury" or "SROI" means a claims report filed with the commission after a FROI, which reports medical or indemnity payment activity about an injury or a decision to deny or no longer make payment on an injury.

16VAC30-91-20. Procedures for filing claims reports.

A. By no later than July 1, 2009, all claims reports must be filed electronically with the commission.

B. The commission shall publish an implementation guide describing the requirements to be followed when claims reports are filed electronically with the commission. Any changes or updates to the implementation guide shall be published by the commission on an annual basis on or about September 1.

C. A FROI must be filed on all injuries in accordance with the implementation guide.

D. SROI reports concerning denials, indemnity payments, medical payments, and suspensions must be filed on all injuries that do not meet the definition of a minor injury in accordance with the implementation guide.

E. An injury that meets the definition of a minor injury may be reported as such to the commission on a FROI in accordance with the implementation guide. If an injury that is reported to the commission as being a minor injury subsequently fails to meet the definition of a minor injury, then an updated FROI on that injury, followed by required SROI reports, must be filed with the commission immediately, in accordance with the implementation guide.

FORMS

First Report of Injury (rev. 5/1/08).

Titles of Regulations: 16VAC30-90. Procedural Regulations for Filing First Reports Under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act (repealing 16VAC30-90-10 through 16VAC30-90-80).

16VAC30-91. Claims Reporting (adding 16VAC30-91-10, 16VAC30-91-20, 16VAC30-91-30).

Statutory Authority: §§65.2-201 and 65.2-900 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearings are scheduled.

Public Comments: Public comments may be submitted until 5 p.m. on November 14, 2008.

Agency Contact: Matthew Bryant, Director, Technology Alignment Program, Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, 1000 DMV Drive, Richmond, VA 23220, telephone (804) 367-2253, FAX (877) 432-5423, or email matthew.bryant@vwc.state.va.us.

Basis: The commission is an independent, nonexecutive branch agency, governed by three commissioners elected by the General Assembly. The commission is charged with carrying out the provisions of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act (§65.2-100 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). The commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations, and to examine the "books and records" of parties to proceedings relating to compensation pursuant to § 65.2-201 of the Code of Virginia. The commission is authorized to collect specific accident data, as well as "such other information as may be required by the Commission" concerning injuries, and to regulate this activity (§65.2-900 of the Code of Virginia). The commission is required to notify injured workers of their rights and also to provide reports to other state agencies concerning accidents (§§65.2-201 and 65.2-900 of the Code of Virginia). Any voluntary agreements as to compensation, falling outside the dispute resolution authority of the commission must be filed with the commission in the form prescribed by the commission (§65.2-701 of the Code of Virginia). Also, several of the commission’s dispute resolution rules concern data reporting, including rules requiring agreements, denial, and medical reports to be filed with the commission (16VAC30-50-50).

Purpose: Since the adoption of 16VAC30-90 in 1996, pertaining to the electronic filing of accident reports with the commission, technology and data standards have changed significantly. The commission desires to conform its electronic data collection methods to current industry practice, and provide its customers that are required to submit reports to the commission pursuant to the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act electronic methods that are simple, efficient, and effective. Accordingly, the commission proposes adopting 16VAC30-91, which seeks to conform its electronic data reporting methods to those of the nationwide workers' compensation community standards-setting organization, the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, or IAIABC.

Substance: This action is related to how organizations report certain data to the commission. There are no substantive changes to what the law requires to be reported, only to how the reports are transmitted to the commission. Thus, the substance of the action is this: effective July 1, 2009, such reports shall be filed electronically with the commission.

Issues: The primary advantage to the public and to the Commonwealth is the consistent, efficient and accurate electronic collection of data required by law. In this way the public can better comply with current reporting laws and the commission can better collect such reports. Of particular importance is the standard being proposed, which is industry-created, tested, and controlled, through the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, or the IAIABC. Most workers’ compensation jurisdictions, including the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, are members of the IAIABC, in addition to a vast array of private industry carriers, administrators, and workers’ compensation vendors.

The primary disadvantage to the public is that the reporting methods currently in operation (primarily paper submission) will be changing, and thus operations accustomed to reporting by hand, on paper, or through the mail, will be moving to an electronic system. It is believed that the available alternatives, including web-based submissions available through an Internet browser, will over time virtually eliminate any disadvantage this action might cause, and instead provide tremendous value to the public. There is no disadvantage to the Commonwealth other than in its role as an employer subject to workers’ compensation reporting requirements.

The Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis:

Summary of the Proposed Regulation. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (commission) proposes to repeal the existing regulations on claims reporting and promulgate a new replacement regulation to conform its electronic data reporting methods to the industry standard. The proposed regulation requires that the claims reports be filed with the commission through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or through the internet portal established by the commission effective July 1, 2009.

Results of Analysis. There is insufficient data to accurately compare the magnitude of the benefits versus the costs. Detailed analysis of the benefits and costs can be found in the next section.

Estimated Economic Impact. Adopted in 1996, the existing regulation allows both paper submission of the claim reports and electronic transmission via a non-standardized format developed specifically for the commission, with paper submission being the primary data transmission method. In order to conform to the significant changes in technology and data standards that have occurred over the years, the commission proposes to repeal the current regulation and promulgate a replacement regulation. The proposed regulation will require that effective July 1, 2009, all claims reports shall be filed electronically either through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or through the internet portal established by the commission. This proposed action will only change the way the claims reports are transmitted to the commission without making any substantive changes to the content of data to be reported. The commission will describe the technical specifications and update any changes to the technical formats in the "implementation guide" which will be published by May 1 of each year.

The proposed regulations will provide a consistent, efficient, and accurate electronic collection, based on the standard that is industry-created, tested, and controlled, through the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC). According to the commission, using EDI within the workers’ compensation community has been a long established practice. Currently thirty states use an IAIABC data standard for transacting EDI. Four states, including Virginia, are using a "proprietary" EID format to some degree¹ and are moving to an IAIABC format.

The organizations that are required to file workers’ compensation claims reports to the commission include the insurance carriers and the self-insured employers. According to the commission, about 80-90% of the insurance companies and self-insured employers either use a workers’ compensation vendor or purchase a claim management system from the vendors to do the reporting. Currently most of the vendors and the multi-state insurance companies are performing EDI reporting in some other jurisdictions. This proposed action will allow them to utilize their existing resources in a more efficient way and will likely generate economy of scales. The commission reports that it will cost these organizations a one-time expense ranging from $2,300 to $6,150 to modify their current data transmission systems to conform to Virginia’s specifications. Part or all of the costs on the vendors may later be passed on to the insurance companies and self-insured employers they serve in the form of higher prices. The other 10-20% of the insurance companies and self-insured are mostly small volume reporters that submit fewer than 100 claims annually. They may use the commission’s free internet-based submission method as an alternative to EDI processing. The use of alternative data transmission method will keep reporting consistent among all filers while minimizing the negative impact on small filers.

The commission will incur a one-time cost of about $3,537,772 to implement the new claims management system, half of which is attributed to electronic reporting. The commission will also spend $95,000 annually for using a data ingestion and cleansing service.

Moving from paper reporting to EDI processing will likely save the amount of time spent on transmitting the claims reports. The commission reports that on average each claim requires 2 claims reports², which may take 180 minutes to complete. EDI processing will replace these two paper reports with four EDI reports which will take 60 minutes to finish. Therefore, switching to EDI processing may cause an approximate saving of 120 minutes for each claim. The savings in time may reduce the service fees charged by the vendors. The commission estimates that approximately 200,000 claims are filed every year.

Businesses and Entities Affected. According to the commission, there are approximately 215 affiliated insurance companies and self-insured companies. Approximately 80-90% of them use vendors to do the reporting. Currently there are four reporting vendors and about 14 vendors who develop and sell the claims management systems.

Localities Particularly Affected. The proposed regulations will affect all of the localities in the Commonwealth.

Projected Impact on Employment. Moving from paper reporting to EDI processing will likely save the amount of time spent on transmitting the claims reports. For organizations that already perform EDI processing in other states, it may take a full-time employee two to four weeks to adjust their existing systems to Virginia’s specifications.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. Moving from paper reporting to EDI processing will likely save the amount of time spent on providing the claims reports for the reports, which may have a positive impact on the value of filers. Filers who are currently conducting EDI processing in some other jurisdictions will incur a one-time cost ranging from $2,300 to $6,150 to modify their current data transmission systems to conform to Virginia’s specifications. This cost may slightly reduce their profit and may have a slight adverse impact on the value of their properties.

Small Businesses: Costs and Other Effects. There are approximately 25 insurance companies or self-insured companies who are small businesses. They may use the free internet-based submission method as an alternative to EDI processing. Therefore, they will not be significantly affected by the proposed regulations.

Small Businesses: Alternative Method that Minimizes Adverse Impact. Small businesses will likely not be significantly affected by the proposed amendments.

Real Estate Development Costs. The proposed amendments are unlikely to significantly affect real estate development costs.

Legal Mandate. The Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) has analyzed the economic impact of this proposed regulation in accordance with § 2.2-4007.04 of the Administrative Process Act and Executive Order Number 36 (06). Section 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include, but need not be limited to, the projected number of businesses or other entities to whom the regulation would apply, the identity of any localities and types of businesses or other entities particularly affected, the projected number of persons and employment positions to be affected, the projected costs to affected businesses or entities to implement or comply with the regulation, and the impact on the use and value of private property. Further, if the proposed regulation has adverse effect on small businesses, § 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include (i) an identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the regulation; (ii) the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs required for small businesses to comply with the regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparing required reports and other documents; (iii) a statement of the probable effect of the regulation on affected small businesses; and (iv) a description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the regulation. The analysis presented above represents DPB’s best estimate of these economic impacts.

____________________________________

¹ The "proprietary" EDI format means that basic, fundamental data elements common to every workers’ compensation report, such as employee name and address, employer name and address, policy number, date of injury, etc., result in programming that is unique.

² Each claim will also require on average five other paper reports which will not be affected by this regulation.

Agency's Response to the Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis: The commission has no objection.

Summary:

This action repeals 16VAC30-90 and promulgates 16VAC30-91 to conform the electronic filing method for mandatory reports to the commission to the industry standard for such reports.

CHAPTER 91
CLAIMS REPORTING

16VAC30-91-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Claims reports" means FROI and SROI reports concerning an injury filed by or on behalf of an insurer or self-insurer with the commission pursuant to the requirements set forth in the implementation guide.

"Commission" means the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission.

"EDI" or "electronic data interchange" means the method used to exchange data electronically between the commission and those organizations submitting claims reports to the commission.

"Filed electronically" means filed with the commission through EDI or through the Internet portal established by the commission for submission of claims reports, pursuant to the requirements set forth in the implementation guide.

"First report of injury" or "FROI" means the initial claims report filed with the commission concerning an injury.

"Implementation guide" means the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Implementation Guide, May 1, 2008 Edition, which contains requirements published and updated by the commission to be followed when claims reports are filed electronically with the commission.

"Insurer" means a company licensed to write workers' compensation coverage in Virginia.

"Minor injury" means an injury that meets none of the following seven reporting criteria:

1. Lost time or partial disability exceeding seven days.

2. Medical expenses exceeding $1,000.

3. Any denial of compensability.

4. Any disputed issues.

5. An accident that results in death.

6. Any permanent disability or disfigurement.

7. Any specific request made by the commission.

"Self-insurer" means an entity providing workers' compensation coverage directly to its employees based on formal approval by either the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission or the State Corporation Commission.

"Subsequent report of injury" or "SROI" means a claims report filed with the commission after a FROI, which reports medical or indemnity payment activity about an injury or a decision to deny or no longer make payment on an injury.

16VAC30-91-20. Procedures for filing claims reports.

A. By no later than July 1, 2009, all claims reports must be filed electronically with the commission.

B. The commission shall publish an implementation guide describing the requirements to be followed when claims reports are filed electronically with the commission. Any changes or updates to the implementation guide shall be published by the commission on an annual basis on or about September 1.

C. A FROI must be filed on all injuries in accordance with the implementation guide.

D. SROI reports concerning denials, indemnity payments, medical payments, and suspensions must be filed on all injuries that do not meet the definition of a minor injury in accordance with the implementation guide.

E. An injury that meets the definition of a minor injury may be reported as such to the commission on a FROI in accordance with the implementation guide. If an injury that is reported to the commission as being a minor injury subsequently fails to meet the definition of a minor injury, then an updated FROI on that injury, followed by required SROI reports, must be filed with the commission immediately, in accordance with the implementation guide.

FORMS

First Report of Injury (rev. 5/1/08).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC15-10. Public Participation Guidelines (repealing 18VAC15-10-10 through 18VAC15-10-90).

18VAC15-11. Public Participation Guidelines (adding 18VAC15-11-10 through 18VAC15-11-110).

Statutory Authority: §§2.2-4007.02 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: David Dick, Executive Director, Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead and Home Inspectors, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-8595, FAX (804) 527-4297, or email alhi@dpor.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulations comply with the legislative mandate (Chapter 321, 2008 Acts of Assembly) that agencies adopt model public participation guidelines issued by the Department of Planning and Budget by December 1, 2008. Public participation guidelines exist to promote public involvement in the development, amendment, or repeal of an agency's regulations.

This regulatory action repeals the current public participation guidelines and promulgates new public participation guidelines as required by Chapter 321 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. Highlights of the public participation guidelines include (i) providing for the establishment and maintenance of notification lists of interested persons and specifying the information to be sent to such persons; (ii) providing for public comments on regulatory action; (iii) establishing the time period during which public comments shall be accepted; (iv) providing that the plan to hold a public meeting shall be indicated in any notice of intended regulatory action; (v) providing for the appointment, when necessary, of regulatory advisory panels to provide professional specialization or technical assistance and negotiated rulemaking panels if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial; and (vi) providing for the periodic review of regulations.

CHAPTER 11
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

18VAC15-11-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors. This chapter does not apply to regulations, guidelines, or other documents exempted or excluded from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

18VAC15-11-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

18VAC15-11-30. Notification list.

A. The agency shall maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

18VAC15-11-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 18VAC15-11-30, the agency shall send the following information:

1. A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3. A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to § 2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

18VAC15-11-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency shall afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment shall include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1. To any requesting person, the agency shall provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2. The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency shall accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6. For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7. Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with § 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency shall send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to § 2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC15-11-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in § 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1. The petitioner's name and contact information;

2. The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3. Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to § 2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

18VAC15-11-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise is necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine when a RAP shall be appointed and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1. The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

18VAC15-11-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1. There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3. The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

18VAC15-11-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with § 2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

18VAC15-11-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency shall indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1. The agency's basic law requires the agency to hold a public hearing;

2. The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

3. The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing shall be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency shall also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

18VAC15-11-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency shall conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with:

1. An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to § 2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and

2. The requirements in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC15-10. Public Participation Guidelines (repealing 18VAC15-10-10 through 18VAC15-10-90).

18VAC15-11. Public Participation Guidelines (adding 18VAC15-11-10 through 18VAC15-11-110).

Statutory Authority: §§2.2-4007.02 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: David Dick, Executive Director, Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead and Home Inspectors, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-8595, FAX (804) 527-4297, or email alhi@dpor.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulations comply with the legislative mandate (Chapter 321, 2008 Acts of Assembly) that agencies adopt model public participation guidelines issued by the Department of Planning and Budget by December 1, 2008. Public participation guidelines exist to promote public involvement in the development, amendment, or repeal of an agency's regulations.

This regulatory action repeals the current public participation guidelines and promulgates new public participation guidelines as required by Chapter 321 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. Highlights of the public participation guidelines include (i) providing for the establishment and maintenance of notification lists of interested persons and specifying the information to be sent to such persons; (ii) providing for public comments on regulatory action; (iii) establishing the time period during which public comments shall be accepted; (iv) providing that the plan to hold a public meeting shall be indicated in any notice of intended regulatory action; (v) providing for the appointment, when necessary, of regulatory advisory panels to provide professional specialization or technical assistance and negotiated rulemaking panels if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial; and (vi) providing for the periodic review of regulations.

CHAPTER 11
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

18VAC15-11-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors. This chapter does not apply to regulations, guidelines, or other documents exempted or excluded from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

18VAC15-11-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

18VAC15-11-30. Notification list.

A. The agency shall maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

18VAC15-11-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 18VAC15-11-30, the agency shall send the following information:

1. A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3. A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to § 2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

18VAC15-11-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency shall afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment shall include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1. To any requesting person, the agency shall provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2. The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency shall accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6. For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7. Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with § 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency shall send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to § 2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC15-11-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in § 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1. The petitioner's name and contact information;

2. The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3. Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to § 2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

18VAC15-11-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise is necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine when a RAP shall be appointed and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1. The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

18VAC15-11-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1. There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3. The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

18VAC15-11-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with § 2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

18VAC15-11-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency shall indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1. The agency's basic law requires the agency to hold a public hearing;

2. The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

3. The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing shall be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency shall also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

18VAC15-11-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency shall conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with:

1. An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to § 2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and

2. The requirements in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Title of Regulation: 18VAC60-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene.

FORMS (18VAC60-20)

Application Requirements for Dentists (rev. 9/06 8/08).

Application for Licensure License to Practice Dentistry (rev. 12/02 8/08).

Application Requirements for Restricted Dental Volunteer License/Restricted Dental Hygiene License (rev. 8/08).

Application for Restricted Volunteer Licensure License to Practice Dentistry and or Dental Hygiene (eff. 7/98 rev. 8/08).

Requirements and Instructions for a Temporary Resident's License to Persons Enrolled in Advanced Dental Education Programs (eff. 6/06 rev. 5/08).

Application for Temporary Resident's License (eff. 7/04 rev. 5/08).

Form A, Certification of Dental School for Temporary Resident's License (eff. 7/04 rev. 5/08).

Form B, Temporary Resident's License (Certification from Dean of Dental School or Director of Accredited Graduate Program), Temporary Resident's License (eff. 7/04 rev. 5/08).

Form C, Temporary Resident's License (Certification of Dental Licensure), Temporary Resident's License (eff. 7/04 rev. 5/08).

Form D, Temporary Resident's License (Chronology), Temporary Resident's License (eff. 7/04 rev. 5/08).

Form A, Certification of Dental/Dental Hygiene School (rev. 12/02 8/08).

Form AA, Sponsor Certification for Dental/Dental Hygiene Volunteer License (eff. 7/98 rev. 8/08).

Form B, Chronology (rev. 12/02 8/08).

Form C, Certification of Dental/Dental Hygiene Boards (rev. 12/02 8/08).

Licensure Procedures Application Requirements for Dental Hygienists (rev. 9/06 1/08).

Application for Licensure to Practice Dental Hygiene (rev. 12/02 1/08).

Instructions for Reinstatement of License (rev. 9/06 4/08).

Reinstatement Application for Dental/Dental Hygiene Licensure (rev. 12/02 4/08).

Instructions for Application for Reactivation of License (rev. 9/06 8/08).

Application for Reactivation of License (rev. 9/06 8/08).

Radiology Information for Dental Assistants (rev. 7/97).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0401 Dentist (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0402 Dental Hygienist (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0404 Dental Teacher (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0406 Dental Hygiene Teacher (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0411 Full-time Faculty (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0438 Cosmetic Procedure Certification (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0439 Oral and Maxillofacial (rev. 12/02).

Application for Certification to Perform Cosmetic Procedures (rev. 9/06 8/08).

Rhinoplasty/similar Procedures (rev. 7/02).

Bletharoplasty/similar Procedures (rev. 7/02).

Rhytidectomy/similar Procedures (rev. 7/02).

Submental liposuction/similar Procedures (rev. 7/02).

Browlift/either open or endoscopic technique/similar Procedures (rev. 7/02).

Otoplasty/similar Procedures (7/02).

Laser Resurfacing or Dermabrasion/similar Procedures (rev. 7/02).

Platysmal muscle plication/similar Procedures (rev. 7/02).

Application Review Worksheet (rev. 7/02).

Practitioner Questionnaire (rev. 12/02).

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Registration of Practice (rev. 9/06 8/08).

Application for Registration for Volunteer Practice (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/08).

Sponsor Certification for Volunteer Registration (eff. 1/03 rev. 8/08).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC90-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Nursing.

18VAC90-25. Regulations Governing Certified Nurse Aides.

18VAC90-30. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-40. Regulations for Prescriptive Authority for Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-50. Regulations Governing the Certification of Massage Therapists.

18VAC90-60. Regulations Governing the Registration of Medication Aides.

FORMS (18VAC90-20)

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 11/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 6/04) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 2/03) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Temporary Exemption to Licensure (eff. 10/02) (rev. 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Registered Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 10/02) 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0001, RN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0002, LPN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0015, Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Procedure for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev 7/07).

Survey Visit Report (rev. 12/02) 7/07).

Annual Report for Registered Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Annual Report for Practical Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration for Volunteer Practice (eff. 12/02) (rev. 7/07).

Sponsor Certification for Volunteer Registration (eff. 1/03) (rev. 8/08).

FORMS (18VAC90-25)

Instructions for Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 1/06 8/07).

Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Nurse Aide Certification Verification Form (rev. 12/02 11/07).

Instructions for Applicant for Advanced Certified Nurse Aide Registration (eff. 8/06 rev. 8/07).

Application for Certification as Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application to Establish Nurse Aide Education Program (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Application to Establish an Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 8/08).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Evaluation of On-Site Visitor (rev. 12/02).

Request for Statistical Information (rev. 12/02 6/08).

Renewal Notice (eff. 4/05).

Renewal Notice and Application, 1401, Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (eff. 12/02).

FORMS (18VAC90-30)

Instructions for Licensure -- Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Application for Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, Nurse Practitioner, 0024 (rev. 1/03).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Nurse Practitioner (eff. 10/02 rev. 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-40)

Application for Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners Practice Agreement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2002).

Application for Reinstatement of Prescriptive Authority (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18 VAC 90-50)

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist by Endorsement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification by Endorsement -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Massage Therapist Certification/Licensure Verification Form (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 6/02).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement following Suspension or Revocation – Certified Massage Therapist (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-60)

Application to Establish a Medication Aide Training Program (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aides (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Reinstatement as a Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Medication Aide Registration (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Repeat Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 8/08).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC90-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Nursing.

18VAC90-25. Regulations Governing Certified Nurse Aides.

18VAC90-30. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-40. Regulations for Prescriptive Authority for Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-50. Regulations Governing the Certification of Massage Therapists.

18VAC90-60. Regulations Governing the Registration of Medication Aides.

FORMS (18VAC90-20)

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 11/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 6/04) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 2/03) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Temporary Exemption to Licensure (eff. 10/02) (rev. 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Registered Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 10/02) 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0001, RN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0002, LPN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0015, Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Procedure for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev 7/07).

Survey Visit Report (rev. 12/02) 7/07).

Annual Report for Registered Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Annual Report for Practical Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration for Volunteer Practice (eff. 12/02) (rev. 7/07).

Sponsor Certification for Volunteer Registration (eff. 1/03) (rev. 8/08).

FORMS (18VAC90-25)

Instructions for Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 1/06 8/07).

Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Nurse Aide Certification Verification Form (rev. 12/02 11/07).

Instructions for Applicant for Advanced Certified Nurse Aide Registration (eff. 8/06 rev. 8/07).

Application for Certification as Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application to Establish Nurse Aide Education Program (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Application to Establish an Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 8/08).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Evaluation of On-Site Visitor (rev. 12/02).

Request for Statistical Information (rev. 12/02 6/08).

Renewal Notice (eff. 4/05).

Renewal Notice and Application, 1401, Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (eff. 12/02).

FORMS (18VAC90-30)

Instructions for Licensure -- Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Application for Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, Nurse Practitioner, 0024 (rev. 1/03).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Nurse Practitioner (eff. 10/02 rev. 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-40)

Application for Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners Practice Agreement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2002).

Application for Reinstatement of Prescriptive Authority (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18 VAC 90-50)

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist by Endorsement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification by Endorsement -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Massage Therapist Certification/Licensure Verification Form (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 6/02).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement following Suspension or Revocation – Certified Massage Therapist (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-60)

Application to Establish a Medication Aide Training Program (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aides (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Reinstatement as a Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Medication Aide Registration (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Repeat Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 8/08).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC90-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Nursing.

18VAC90-25. Regulations Governing Certified Nurse Aides.

18VAC90-30. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-40. Regulations for Prescriptive Authority for Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-50. Regulations Governing the Certification of Massage Therapists.

18VAC90-60. Regulations Governing the Registration of Medication Aides.

FORMS (18VAC90-20)

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 11/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 6/04) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 2/03) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Temporary Exemption to Licensure (eff. 10/02) (rev. 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Registered Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 10/02) 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0001, RN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0002, LPN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0015, Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Procedure for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev 7/07).

Survey Visit Report (rev. 12/02) 7/07).

Annual Report for Registered Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Annual Report for Practical Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration for Volunteer Practice (eff. 12/02) (rev. 7/07).

Sponsor Certification for Volunteer Registration (eff. 1/03) (rev. 8/08).

FORMS (18VAC90-25)

Instructions for Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 1/06 8/07).

Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Nurse Aide Certification Verification Form (rev. 12/02 11/07).

Instructions for Applicant for Advanced Certified Nurse Aide Registration (eff. 8/06 rev. 8/07).

Application for Certification as Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application to Establish Nurse Aide Education Program (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Application to Establish an Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 8/08).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Evaluation of On-Site Visitor (rev. 12/02).

Request for Statistical Information (rev. 12/02 6/08).

Renewal Notice (eff. 4/05).

Renewal Notice and Application, 1401, Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (eff. 12/02).

FORMS (18VAC90-30)

Instructions for Licensure -- Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Application for Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, Nurse Practitioner, 0024 (rev. 1/03).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Nurse Practitioner (eff. 10/02 rev. 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-40)

Application for Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners Practice Agreement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2002).

Application for Reinstatement of Prescriptive Authority (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18 VAC 90-50)

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist by Endorsement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification by Endorsement -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Massage Therapist Certification/Licensure Verification Form (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 6/02).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement following Suspension or Revocation – Certified Massage Therapist (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-60)

Application to Establish a Medication Aide Training Program (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aides (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Reinstatement as a Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Medication Aide Registration (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Repeat Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 8/08).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC90-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Nursing.

18VAC90-25. Regulations Governing Certified Nurse Aides.

18VAC90-30. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-40. Regulations for Prescriptive Authority for Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-50. Regulations Governing the Certification of Massage Therapists.

18VAC90-60. Regulations Governing the Registration of Medication Aides.

FORMS (18VAC90-20)

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 11/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 6/04) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 2/03) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Temporary Exemption to Licensure (eff. 10/02) (rev. 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Registered Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 10/02) 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0001, RN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0002, LPN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0015, Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Procedure for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev 7/07).

Survey Visit Report (rev. 12/02) 7/07).

Annual Report for Registered Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Annual Report for Practical Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration for Volunteer Practice (eff. 12/02) (rev. 7/07).

Sponsor Certification for Volunteer Registration (eff. 1/03) (rev. 8/08).

FORMS (18VAC90-25)

Instructions for Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 1/06 8/07).

Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Nurse Aide Certification Verification Form (rev. 12/02 11/07).

Instructions for Applicant for Advanced Certified Nurse Aide Registration (eff. 8/06 rev. 8/07).

Application for Certification as Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application to Establish Nurse Aide Education Program (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Application to Establish an Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 8/08).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Evaluation of On-Site Visitor (rev. 12/02).

Request for Statistical Information (rev. 12/02 6/08).

Renewal Notice (eff. 4/05).

Renewal Notice and Application, 1401, Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (eff. 12/02).

FORMS (18VAC90-30)

Instructions for Licensure -- Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Application for Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, Nurse Practitioner, 0024 (rev. 1/03).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Nurse Practitioner (eff. 10/02 rev. 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-40)

Application for Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners Practice Agreement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2002).

Application for Reinstatement of Prescriptive Authority (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18 VAC 90-50)

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist by Endorsement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification by Endorsement -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Massage Therapist Certification/Licensure Verification Form (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 6/02).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement following Suspension or Revocation – Certified Massage Therapist (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-60)

Application to Establish a Medication Aide Training Program (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aides (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Reinstatement as a Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Medication Aide Registration (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Repeat Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 8/08).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC90-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Nursing.

18VAC90-25. Regulations Governing Certified Nurse Aides.

18VAC90-30. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-40. Regulations for Prescriptive Authority for Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-50. Regulations Governing the Certification of Massage Therapists.

18VAC90-60. Regulations Governing the Registration of Medication Aides.

FORMS (18VAC90-20)

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 11/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 6/04) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 2/03) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Temporary Exemption to Licensure (eff. 10/02) (rev. 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Registered Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 10/02) 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0001, RN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0002, LPN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0015, Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Procedure for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev 7/07).

Survey Visit Report (rev. 12/02) 7/07).

Annual Report for Registered Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Annual Report for Practical Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration for Volunteer Practice (eff. 12/02) (rev. 7/07).

Sponsor Certification for Volunteer Registration (eff. 1/03) (rev. 8/08).

FORMS (18VAC90-25)

Instructions for Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 1/06 8/07).

Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Nurse Aide Certification Verification Form (rev. 12/02 11/07).

Instructions for Applicant for Advanced Certified Nurse Aide Registration (eff. 8/06 rev. 8/07).

Application for Certification as Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application to Establish Nurse Aide Education Program (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Application to Establish an Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 8/08).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Evaluation of On-Site Visitor (rev. 12/02).

Request for Statistical Information (rev. 12/02 6/08).

Renewal Notice (eff. 4/05).

Renewal Notice and Application, 1401, Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (eff. 12/02).

FORMS (18VAC90-30)

Instructions for Licensure -- Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Application for Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, Nurse Practitioner, 0024 (rev. 1/03).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Nurse Practitioner (eff. 10/02 rev. 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-40)

Application for Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners Practice Agreement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2002).

Application for Reinstatement of Prescriptive Authority (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18 VAC 90-50)

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist by Endorsement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification by Endorsement -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Massage Therapist Certification/Licensure Verification Form (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 6/02).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement following Suspension or Revocation – Certified Massage Therapist (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-60)

Application to Establish a Medication Aide Training Program (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aides (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Reinstatement as a Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Medication Aide Registration (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Repeat Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 8/08).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC90-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Nursing.

18VAC90-25. Regulations Governing Certified Nurse Aides.

18VAC90-30. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-40. Regulations for Prescriptive Authority for Nurse Practitioners.

18VAC90-50. Regulations Governing the Certification of Massage Therapists.

18VAC90-60. Regulations Governing the Registration of Medication Aides.

FORMS (18VAC90-20)

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 1/08).

Application for Licensure by Endorsement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 11/04) 1/08).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 11/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination -- Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurses (rev. 6/04) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Registered Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Practical Nurses (rev. 2/03) 8/08).

Application for Licensure by Repeat Examination for Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Application for Licensure by Examination for Registered Nurses Educated in Other Countries (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Temporary Exemption to Licensure (eff. 10/02) (rev. 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement -- Registered Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Registered Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Registered Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement Following Suspension or Revocation -- Licensed Practical Nurse (eff. 12/04) (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Licensed Practical Nurse Following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 12/04) 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 10/02) 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0001, RN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0002, LPN (rev. 11/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0015, Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev. 10/02) 7/07).

Procedure for Registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (rev 7/07).

Survey Visit Report (rev. 12/02) 7/07).

Annual Report for Registered Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Annual Report for Practical Nursing Programs (rev. 12/02).

Application for Registration for Volunteer Practice (eff. 12/02) (rev. 7/07).

Sponsor Certification for Volunteer Registration (eff. 1/03) (rev. 8/08).

FORMS (18VAC90-25)

Instructions for Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 1/06 8/07).

Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Nurse Aide Certification Verification Form (rev. 12/02 11/07).

Instructions for Applicant for Advanced Certified Nurse Aide Registration (eff. 8/06 rev. 8/07).

Application for Certification as Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 8/06 8/07).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Certification (rev. 8/06 1/08).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Advanced Nurse Aide Certification (eff. 2/03 rev. 8/07).

Application to Establish Nurse Aide Education Program (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Application to Establish an Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (rev. 11/02 8/07).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program Evaluation Report (rev. 8/08).

Advanced Certification Nurse Aide Education Program-On-site Review Report (eff. 12/02 rev. 8/07).

Evaluation of On-Site Visitor (rev. 12/02).

Request for Statistical Information (rev. 12/02 6/08).

Renewal Notice (eff. 4/05).

Renewal Notice and Application, 1401, Certified Nurse Aide (rev. 12/02).

Renewal Notice and Application, Advanced Certified Nurse Aide (eff. 12/02).

FORMS (18VAC90-30)

Instructions for Licensure -- Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Application for Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Renewal Notice and Application, Nurse Practitioner, 0024 (rev. 1/03).

Application for Reinstatement of License as a Nurse Practitioner (eff. 10/02 rev. 7/07).

License Verification Form (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-40)

Application for Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Nurse Practitioners Practice Agreement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2002).

Application for Reinstatement of Prescriptive Authority (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18 VAC 90-50)

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Certification as a Massage Therapist by Endorsement (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Certification by Endorsement -- Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Massage Therapist Certification/Licensure Verification Form (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist (rev. 10/02 7/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 6/02).

Instructions for Application for Reinstatement following Suspension or Revocation – Certified Massage Therapist (rev. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certificate as a Massage Therapist following Suspension or Revocation (rev. 7/07).

FORMS (18VAC90-60)

Application to Establish a Medication Aide Training Program (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aides (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Instructions for Filing Application for Reinstatement as a Medication Aide (eff. 7/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Medication Aide Registration (eff. 7/07).

Application for Registration by Repeat Examination for Medication Aide (eff. 8/08).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC112-10. Public Participation Guidelines (repealing 18VAC112-10-10 through 18VAC112-10-120).

18VAC112-11. Public Participation Guidelines (adding 18VAC112-11-10 through 18VAC112-11-110).

Statutory Authority: §§2.2-4007.02 and 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: Lisa R. Hahn, Executive Director, Board of Physical Therapy, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4424, FAX (804) 527-4413, or email lisa.hahn@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulations comply with the legislative mandate (Chapter 321, 2008 Acts of Assembly) that agencies adopt model public participation guidelines issued by the Department of Planning and Budget by December 1, 2008. Public participation guidelines exist to promote public involvement in the development, amendment, or repeal of an agency's regulations.

This regulatory action repeals the current public participation guidelines and promulgates new public participation guidelines as required by Chapter 321 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. Highlights of the public participation guidelines include (i) providing for the establishment and maintenance of notification lists of interested persons and specifying the information to be sent to such persons; (ii) providing for public comments on regulatory action; (iii) establishing the time period during which public comments shall be accepted; (iv) providing that the plan to hold a public meeting shall be indicated in any notice of intended regulatory action; (v) providing for the appointment, when necessary, of regulatory advisory panels to provide professional specialization or technical assistance and negotiated rulemaking panels if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial; and (vi) providing for the periodic review of regulations.

CHAPTER 11
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

18VAC112-11-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the Board of Physical Therapy. This chapter does not apply to regulations, guidelines, or other documents exempted or excluded from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

18VAC112-11-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the Board of Physical Therapy, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

18VAC112-11-30. Notification list.

A. The agency shall maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

18VAC112-11-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 18VAC112-11-30, the agency shall send the following information:

1. A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3. A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to § 2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

18VAC112-11-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency shall afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment shall include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1. To any requesting person, the agency shall provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2. The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency shall accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6. For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7. Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with § 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency shall send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to § 2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC112-11-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in § 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1. The petitioner's name and contact information;

2. The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3. Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to § 2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

18VAC112-11-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise is necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine when a RAP shall be appointed and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1. The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

18VAC112-11-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1. There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3. The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

18VAC112-11-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with § 2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

18VAC112-11-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency shall indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1. The agency's basic law requires the agency to hold a public hearing;

2. The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

3. The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing shall be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency shall also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

18VAC112-11-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency shall conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with:

1. An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to § 2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and

2. The requirements in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC112-10. Public Participation Guidelines (repealing 18VAC112-10-10 through 18VAC112-10-120).

18VAC112-11. Public Participation Guidelines (adding 18VAC112-11-10 through 18VAC112-11-110).

Statutory Authority: §§2.2-4007.02 and 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: Lisa R. Hahn, Executive Director, Board of Physical Therapy, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4424, FAX (804) 527-4413, or email lisa.hahn@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulations comply with the legislative mandate (Chapter 321, 2008 Acts of Assembly) that agencies adopt model public participation guidelines issued by the Department of Planning and Budget by December 1, 2008. Public participation guidelines exist to promote public involvement in the development, amendment, or repeal of an agency's regulations.

This regulatory action repeals the current public participation guidelines and promulgates new public participation guidelines as required by Chapter 321 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. Highlights of the public participation guidelines include (i) providing for the establishment and maintenance of notification lists of interested persons and specifying the information to be sent to such persons; (ii) providing for public comments on regulatory action; (iii) establishing the time period during which public comments shall be accepted; (iv) providing that the plan to hold a public meeting shall be indicated in any notice of intended regulatory action; (v) providing for the appointment, when necessary, of regulatory advisory panels to provide professional specialization or technical assistance and negotiated rulemaking panels if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial; and (vi) providing for the periodic review of regulations.

CHAPTER 11
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

18VAC112-11-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the Board of Physical Therapy. This chapter does not apply to regulations, guidelines, or other documents exempted or excluded from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

18VAC112-11-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the Board of Physical Therapy, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

18VAC112-11-30. Notification list.

A. The agency shall maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

18VAC112-11-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 18VAC112-11-30, the agency shall send the following information:

1. A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3. A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to § 2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

18VAC112-11-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency shall afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment shall include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1. To any requesting person, the agency shall provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2. The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency shall accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6. For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7. Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with § 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency shall send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to § 2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC112-11-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in § 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1. The petitioner's name and contact information;

2. The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3. Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to § 2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

18VAC112-11-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise is necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine when a RAP shall be appointed and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1. The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

18VAC112-11-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1. There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3. The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

18VAC112-11-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with § 2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

18VAC112-11-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency shall indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1. The agency's basic law requires the agency to hold a public hearing;

2. The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

3. The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing shall be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency shall also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

18VAC112-11-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency shall conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with:

1. An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to § 2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and

2. The requirements in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.

18VAC115-30. Regulations Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Counseling.

18VAC115-40. Regulations Governing the Certification of Rehabilitation Providers.

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

18VAC115-60. Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners.

FORMS (18VAC115-20)

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

Registration of Supervision, LPC Form 1– Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, (rev. 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation, LPC Form 1-QE (rev. 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, LPC Form 1-LV (rev. 8/08).

Licensure Application, LPC Form 2 (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Supervision – Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, Form LPC 2-VS (rev. 8/08).

Coursework Outline Form, Form LPC 2-CO (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, Form LPC 2-IR (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Internship, Form LPC 2-VI (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Licensure, Form LPC 2-VL (rev. 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form – Examination Applicants Only, Form LPC 2-SO (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LPC-ECP (rev. 8/08).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LPC) (rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (eff. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

FORMS (18VAC115-30)

Certification Application for Certification as a – Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Form 1 (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Registration of Supervision – Form 1 (rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Counselor Verification of Supervision, Form 3 CSAC-2VS (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Supervisor's Experience and Education, Form 3A (eff. 10/02).

Licensure or Certification Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, Form 4 CSAC-LV, (eff. 10/02 rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Education Outline, Form CSAC-EO (rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Education Tasks, Form CSAC-ET (rev. 1/08).

CSAC-A Certification Application for Certification as a Substance Abuse Counseling Assistant, Form 1A (eff. 10/02 rev. 8/08).

Substance Abuse Certification Verification of Licensure/Certification Verification of Applicant, Form 2 CSAC-VL (eff. 10/02 rev. 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certification (eff. 10/02 rev. 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0710 (rev. 3/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, CSAC Assistant (rev. 3/03).

FORMS (18VAC115-40)

Application for Certification as a Rehabilitation Provider, CRPAPP Form 1 (rev. 10/99 8/07).

General Information for Certification as a Rehabilitation Provider (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Verification of Experience for Rehabilitation Provider Certification, Form 2 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Rehabilitation Provider Verification of Licensure/Certification, Form 3 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Licensure/Certification Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, Form 4 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Rehabilitation Provider Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certificate (rev. 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2/00).

FORMS (18VAC115-50)

Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure Application, MFT Form 1 2 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Applicant Licensure, MFT Form 2-VL (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Supervision for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure – Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, MFT Form 3 2-VS (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, MFT Form 4 1-LV (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation, MFT Form 1-QE (rev. 8/08).

Courses Coursework Outline Form for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure, MFT Form 5 2-CO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship, MFT Form 6 2-VI (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, MFT Form 7 2-IR (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form for Marriage and Family Endorsement Examination Applicants Only, MFT Form 8 2-SO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form MFT-ECP (rev. 8/08).

Registration of Supervision for - Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure, MFT Form A 1 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (eff. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LMFT) (rev. 8/07).

General Information for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (eff. 11/03).

Application Instructions -- Licensure by Examination (eff. 11/03).

Application Instructions -- Licensure by Endorsement (eff. 11/03).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

FORMS (18VAC115-60)

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure Application, LSATP Form 1 2 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

General Information for Licensure as a Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (rev. 11/03).

Verification of Competency for Independent Practice of Substance Abuse Treatment (TLW) (rev. 11/03).

Licensure/Certification Verification of Applicant Licensure, Form 2 LSATP 2-VL (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Supervision for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure – Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, LSATP Form 3 2-VS (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervisor's Experience and Education, Form 3A (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, LSATP Form 4 1-LV (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Courses Coursework Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure, Form 5 LSATP 2-CO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Graduate Course/Hour Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure (TLW) (rev. 11/03).

Verification of Internship, Form 6 LSATP 2-VI (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, Form 7 LSATP 2-IR (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Registration of Supervision for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure – Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, LSATP Form A 1 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation Form, LSATP Form C 1-QE (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Endorsement Applicants – Examination Applicants Only, Form 8 LSATP 2-SO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LSATP-ECP (rev. 8/08).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License Certificate (rev. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Application for Reinstatement Following Disciplinary Action, SATPREDISC (rev. 1/03).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LSATP) (rev. 8/07).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.

18VAC115-30. Regulations Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Counseling.

18VAC115-40. Regulations Governing the Certification of Rehabilitation Providers.

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

18VAC115-60. Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners.

FORMS (18VAC115-20)

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

Registration of Supervision, LPC Form 1– Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, (rev. 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation, LPC Form 1-QE (rev. 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, LPC Form 1-LV (rev. 8/08).

Licensure Application, LPC Form 2 (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Supervision – Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, Form LPC 2-VS (rev. 8/08).

Coursework Outline Form, Form LPC 2-CO (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, Form LPC 2-IR (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Internship, Form LPC 2-VI (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Licensure, Form LPC 2-VL (rev. 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form – Examination Applicants Only, Form LPC 2-SO (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LPC-ECP (rev. 8/08).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LPC) (rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (eff. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

FORMS (18VAC115-30)

Certification Application for Certification as a – Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Form 1 (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Registration of Supervision – Form 1 (rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Counselor Verification of Supervision, Form 3 CSAC-2VS (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Supervisor's Experience and Education, Form 3A (eff. 10/02).

Licensure or Certification Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, Form 4 CSAC-LV, (eff. 10/02 rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Education Outline, Form CSAC-EO (rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Education Tasks, Form CSAC-ET (rev. 1/08).

CSAC-A Certification Application for Certification as a Substance Abuse Counseling Assistant, Form 1A (eff. 10/02 rev. 8/08).

Substance Abuse Certification Verification of Licensure/Certification Verification of Applicant, Form 2 CSAC-VL (eff. 10/02 rev. 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certification (eff. 10/02 rev. 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0710 (rev. 3/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, CSAC Assistant (rev. 3/03).

FORMS (18VAC115-40)

Application for Certification as a Rehabilitation Provider, CRPAPP Form 1 (rev. 10/99 8/07).

General Information for Certification as a Rehabilitation Provider (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Verification of Experience for Rehabilitation Provider Certification, Form 2 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Rehabilitation Provider Verification of Licensure/Certification, Form 3 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Licensure/Certification Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, Form 4 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Rehabilitation Provider Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certificate (rev. 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2/00).

FORMS (18VAC115-50)

Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure Application, MFT Form 1 2 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Applicant Licensure, MFT Form 2-VL (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Supervision for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure – Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, MFT Form 3 2-VS (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, MFT Form 4 1-LV (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation, MFT Form 1-QE (rev. 8/08).

Courses Coursework Outline Form for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure, MFT Form 5 2-CO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship, MFT Form 6 2-VI (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, MFT Form 7 2-IR (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form for Marriage and Family Endorsement Examination Applicants Only, MFT Form 8 2-SO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form MFT-ECP (rev. 8/08).

Registration of Supervision for - Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure, MFT Form A 1 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (eff. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LMFT) (rev. 8/07).

General Information for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (eff. 11/03).

Application Instructions -- Licensure by Examination (eff. 11/03).

Application Instructions -- Licensure by Endorsement (eff. 11/03).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

FORMS (18VAC115-60)

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure Application, LSATP Form 1 2 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

General Information for Licensure as a Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (rev. 11/03).

Verification of Competency for Independent Practice of Substance Abuse Treatment (TLW) (rev. 11/03).

Licensure/Certification Verification of Applicant Licensure, Form 2 LSATP 2-VL (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Supervision for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure – Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, LSATP Form 3 2-VS (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervisor's Experience and Education, Form 3A (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, LSATP Form 4 1-LV (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Courses Coursework Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure, Form 5 LSATP 2-CO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Graduate Course/Hour Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure (TLW) (rev. 11/03).

Verification of Internship, Form 6 LSATP 2-VI (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, Form 7 LSATP 2-IR (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Registration of Supervision for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure – Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, LSATP Form A 1 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation Form, LSATP Form C 1-QE (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Endorsement Applicants – Examination Applicants Only, Form 8 LSATP 2-SO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LSATP-ECP (rev. 8/08).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License Certificate (rev. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Application for Reinstatement Following Disciplinary Action, SATPREDISC (rev. 1/03).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LSATP) (rev. 8/07).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.

18VAC115-30. Regulations Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Counseling.

18VAC115-40. Regulations Governing the Certification of Rehabilitation Providers.

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

18VAC115-60. Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners.

FORMS (18VAC115-20)

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

Registration of Supervision, LPC Form 1– Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, (rev. 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation, LPC Form 1-QE (rev. 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, LPC Form 1-LV (rev. 8/08).

Licensure Application, LPC Form 2 (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Supervision – Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, Form LPC 2-VS (rev. 8/08).

Coursework Outline Form, Form LPC 2-CO (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, Form LPC 2-IR (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Internship, Form LPC 2-VI (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Licensure, Form LPC 2-VL (rev. 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form – Examination Applicants Only, Form LPC 2-SO (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LPC-ECP (rev. 8/08).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LPC) (rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (eff. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

FORMS (18VAC115-30)

Certification Application for Certification as a – Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Form 1 (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Registration of Supervision – Form 1 (rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Counselor Verification of Supervision, Form 3 CSAC-2VS (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Supervisor's Experience and Education, Form 3A (eff. 10/02).

Licensure or Certification Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, Form 4 CSAC-LV, (eff. 10/02 rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Education Outline, Form CSAC-EO (rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Education Tasks, Form CSAC-ET (rev. 1/08).

CSAC-A Certification Application for Certification as a Substance Abuse Counseling Assistant, Form 1A (eff. 10/02 rev. 8/08).

Substance Abuse Certification Verification of Licensure/Certification Verification of Applicant, Form 2 CSAC-VL (eff. 10/02 rev. 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certification (eff. 10/02 rev. 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0710 (rev. 3/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, CSAC Assistant (rev. 3/03).

FORMS (18VAC115-40)

Application for Certification as a Rehabilitation Provider, CRPAPP Form 1 (rev. 10/99 8/07).

General Information for Certification as a Rehabilitation Provider (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Verification of Experience for Rehabilitation Provider Certification, Form 2 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Rehabilitation Provider Verification of Licensure/Certification, Form 3 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Licensure/Certification Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, Form 4 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Rehabilitation Provider Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certificate (rev. 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2/00).

FORMS (18VAC115-50)

Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure Application, MFT Form 1 2 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Applicant Licensure, MFT Form 2-VL (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Supervision for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure – Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, MFT Form 3 2-VS (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, MFT Form 4 1-LV (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation, MFT Form 1-QE (rev. 8/08).

Courses Coursework Outline Form for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure, MFT Form 5 2-CO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship, MFT Form 6 2-VI (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, MFT Form 7 2-IR (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form for Marriage and Family Endorsement Examination Applicants Only, MFT Form 8 2-SO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form MFT-ECP (rev. 8/08).

Registration of Supervision for - Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure, MFT Form A 1 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (eff. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LMFT) (rev. 8/07).

General Information for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (eff. 11/03).

Application Instructions -- Licensure by Examination (eff. 11/03).

Application Instructions -- Licensure by Endorsement (eff. 11/03).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

FORMS (18VAC115-60)

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure Application, LSATP Form 1 2 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

General Information for Licensure as a Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (rev. 11/03).

Verification of Competency for Independent Practice of Substance Abuse Treatment (TLW) (rev. 11/03).

Licensure/Certification Verification of Applicant Licensure, Form 2 LSATP 2-VL (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Supervision for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure – Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, LSATP Form 3 2-VS (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervisor's Experience and Education, Form 3A (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, LSATP Form 4 1-LV (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Courses Coursework Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure, Form 5 LSATP 2-CO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Graduate Course/Hour Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure (TLW) (rev. 11/03).

Verification of Internship, Form 6 LSATP 2-VI (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, Form 7 LSATP 2-IR (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Registration of Supervision for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure – Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, LSATP Form A 1 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation Form, LSATP Form C 1-QE (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Endorsement Applicants – Examination Applicants Only, Form 8 LSATP 2-SO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LSATP-ECP (rev. 8/08).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License Certificate (rev. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Application for Reinstatement Following Disciplinary Action, SATPREDISC (rev. 1/03).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LSATP) (rev. 8/07).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.

18VAC115-30. Regulations Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Counseling.

18VAC115-40. Regulations Governing the Certification of Rehabilitation Providers.

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

18VAC115-60. Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners.

FORMS (18VAC115-20)

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

Registration of Supervision, LPC Form 1– Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, (rev. 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation, LPC Form 1-QE (rev. 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, LPC Form 1-LV (rev. 8/08).

Licensure Application, LPC Form 2 (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Supervision – Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, Form LPC 2-VS (rev. 8/08).

Coursework Outline Form, Form LPC 2-CO (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, Form LPC 2-IR (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Internship, Form LPC 2-VI (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Licensure, Form LPC 2-VL (rev. 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form – Examination Applicants Only, Form LPC 2-SO (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LPC-ECP (rev. 8/08).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LPC) (rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (eff. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

FORMS (18VAC115-30)

Certification Application for Certification as a – Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Form 1 (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Registration of Supervision – Form 1 (rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Counselor Verification of Supervision, Form 3 CSAC-2VS (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Supervisor's Experience and Education, Form 3A (eff. 10/02).

Licensure or Certification Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, Form 4 CSAC-LV, (eff. 10/02 rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Education Outline, Form CSAC-EO (rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Education Tasks, Form CSAC-ET (rev. 1/08).

CSAC-A Certification Application for Certification as a Substance Abuse Counseling Assistant, Form 1A (eff. 10/02 rev. 8/08).

Substance Abuse Certification Verification of Licensure/Certification Verification of Applicant, Form 2 CSAC-VL (eff. 10/02 rev. 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certification (eff. 10/02 rev. 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0710 (rev. 3/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, CSAC Assistant (rev. 3/03).

FORMS (18VAC115-40)

Application for Certification as a Rehabilitation Provider, CRPAPP Form 1 (rev. 10/99 8/07).

General Information for Certification as a Rehabilitation Provider (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Verification of Experience for Rehabilitation Provider Certification, Form 2 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Rehabilitation Provider Verification of Licensure/Certification, Form 3 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Licensure/Certification Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, Form 4 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Rehabilitation Provider Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certificate (rev. 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2/00).

FORMS (18VAC115-50)

Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure Application, MFT Form 1 2 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Applicant Licensure, MFT Form 2-VL (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Supervision for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure – Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, MFT Form 3 2-VS (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, MFT Form 4 1-LV (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation, MFT Form 1-QE (rev. 8/08).

Courses Coursework Outline Form for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure, MFT Form 5 2-CO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship, MFT Form 6 2-VI (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, MFT Form 7 2-IR (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form for Marriage and Family Endorsement Examination Applicants Only, MFT Form 8 2-SO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form MFT-ECP (rev. 8/08).

Registration of Supervision for - Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure, MFT Form A 1 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (eff. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LMFT) (rev. 8/07).

General Information for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (eff. 11/03).

Application Instructions -- Licensure by Examination (eff. 11/03).

Application Instructions -- Licensure by Endorsement (eff. 11/03).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

FORMS (18VAC115-60)

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure Application, LSATP Form 1 2 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

General Information for Licensure as a Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (rev. 11/03).

Verification of Competency for Independent Practice of Substance Abuse Treatment (TLW) (rev. 11/03).

Licensure/Certification Verification of Applicant Licensure, Form 2 LSATP 2-VL (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Supervision for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure – Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, LSATP Form 3 2-VS (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervisor's Experience and Education, Form 3A (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, LSATP Form 4 1-LV (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Courses Coursework Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure, Form 5 LSATP 2-CO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Graduate Course/Hour Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure (TLW) (rev. 11/03).

Verification of Internship, Form 6 LSATP 2-VI (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, Form 7 LSATP 2-IR (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Registration of Supervision for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure – Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, LSATP Form A 1 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation Form, LSATP Form C 1-QE (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Endorsement Applicants – Examination Applicants Only, Form 8 LSATP 2-SO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LSATP-ECP (rev. 8/08).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License Certificate (rev. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Application for Reinstatement Following Disciplinary Action, SATPREDISC (rev. 1/03).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LSATP) (rev. 8/07).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.

18VAC115-30. Regulations Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Counseling.

18VAC115-40. Regulations Governing the Certification of Rehabilitation Providers.

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

18VAC115-60. Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners.

FORMS (18VAC115-20)

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

Registration of Supervision, LPC Form 1– Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, (rev. 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation, LPC Form 1-QE (rev. 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, LPC Form 1-LV (rev. 8/08).

Licensure Application, LPC Form 2 (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Supervision – Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, Form LPC 2-VS (rev. 8/08).

Coursework Outline Form, Form LPC 2-CO (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, Form LPC 2-IR (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Internship, Form LPC 2-VI (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Licensure, Form LPC 2-VL (rev. 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form – Examination Applicants Only, Form LPC 2-SO (rev. 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LPC-ECP (rev. 8/08).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LPC) (rev. 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (eff. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

FORMS (18VAC115-30)

Certification Application for Certification as a – Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Form 1 (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Registration of Supervision – Form 1 (rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Counselor Verification of Supervision, Form 3 CSAC-2VS (rev. 10/02 1/08).

Supervisor's Experience and Education, Form 3A (eff. 10/02).

Licensure or Certification Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, Form 4 CSAC-LV, (eff. 10/02 rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Education Outline, Form CSAC-EO (rev. 1/08).

Substance Abuse Education Tasks, Form CSAC-ET (rev. 1/08).

CSAC-A Certification Application for Certification as a Substance Abuse Counseling Assistant, Form 1A (eff. 10/02 rev. 8/08).

Substance Abuse Certification Verification of Licensure/Certification Verification of Applicant, Form 2 CSAC-VL (eff. 10/02 rev. 1/08).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certification (eff. 10/02 rev. 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0710 (rev. 3/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, CSAC Assistant (rev. 3/03).

FORMS (18VAC115-40)

Application for Certification as a Rehabilitation Provider, CRPAPP Form 1 (rev. 10/99 8/07).

General Information for Certification as a Rehabilitation Provider (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Verification of Experience for Rehabilitation Provider Certification, Form 2 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Rehabilitation Provider Verification of Licensure/Certification, Form 3 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Licensure/Certification Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, Form 4 (eff. 3/98 rev. 8/07).

Rehabilitation Provider Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certificate (rev. 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 2/00).

FORMS (18VAC115-50)

Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure Application, MFT Form 1 2 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Applicant Licensure, MFT Form 2-VL (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Supervision for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure – Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, MFT Form 3 2-VS (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, MFT Form 4 1-LV (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation, MFT Form 1-QE (rev. 8/08).

Courses Coursework Outline Form for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure, MFT Form 5 2-CO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship, MFT Form 6 2-VI (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, MFT Form 7 2-IR (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form for Marriage and Family Endorsement Examination Applicants Only, MFT Form 8 2-SO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form MFT-ECP (rev. 8/08).

Registration of Supervision for - Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure, MFT Form A 1 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (eff. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LMFT) (rev. 8/07).

General Information for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (eff. 11/03).

Application Instructions -- Licensure by Examination (eff. 11/03).

Application Instructions -- Licensure by Endorsement (eff. 11/03).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

FORMS (18VAC115-60)

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure Application, LSATP Form 1 2 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

General Information for Licensure as a Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (rev. 11/03).

Verification of Competency for Independent Practice of Substance Abuse Treatment (TLW) (rev. 11/03).

Licensure/Certification Verification of Applicant Licensure, Form 2 LSATP 2-VL (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Supervision for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure – Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, LSATP Form 3 2-VS (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervisor's Experience and Education, Form 3A (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, LSATP Form 4 1-LV (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Courses Coursework Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure, Form 5 LSATP 2-CO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Graduate Course/Hour Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure (TLW) (rev. 11/03).

Verification of Internship, Form 6 LSATP 2-VI (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Internship Hours Towards the Residency, Form 7 LSATP 2-IR (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Registration of Supervision for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Licensure – Post Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, LSATP Form A 1 (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Quarterly Evaluation Form, LSATP Form C 1-QE (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Supervision Outline Form for Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Endorsement Applicants – Examination Applicants Only, Form 8 LSATP 2-SO (rev. 11/03 8/08).

Verification of Clinical Practice, Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LSATP-ECP (rev. 8/08).

License Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 7/04).

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License Certificate (rev. 11/03 rev. 8/07).

Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner Application for Reinstatement Following Disciplinary Action, SATPREDISC (rev. 1/03).

Continuing Education Summary Form (LSATP) (rev. 8/07).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC125-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology.

18VAC125-30. Regulations Governing the Certification of Sex Offender Treatment Providers.

FORMS (18VAC125-20)

Instructions for Virginia Board of Psychology Application for Licensure by Examination (rev. 1/03 10/03).

Instructions for Virginia Board of Psychology Application of Licensure by Endorsement (rev. 1/03 10/03).

Psychologist Application for Licensure by Examination, Form 1 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Application for Licensure as a School Psychologist-Limited (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Employment Verification Form (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Registration of Residency—Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, Form 2 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Psychologist Application for Licensure by Endorsement, Form 1 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Psychologist Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License, PSYREIN (rev. 1/03 8/07).

School Psychologist-Limited Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License, PSYREIN (rev. 8/07).

Psychologist Application for Reinstatement Following Disciplinary Action, PSYREDISC (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Verification of Post-Degree Supervision, Form 3 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Internship Verification, Form 4 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Licensure/Certification Verification, Form 5 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Areas of Graduate Study, Form 6 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0803, 0810, 0811 (rev. 1/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0814 (rev. 1/03).

Application for Approval as a “Paragraph B” Continuing Education Provider (rev. 8/07).

Continuing Education Audit Summary Form (rev. 8/07).

FORMS (18VAC125-30)

General Information for Certification as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Application for Certification as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider, SOTP Form 1 (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Licensure or Certification Verification of Applicant, SOTP Form 2 (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Sex Offender Treatment Provider, Verification of Supervision, SOTP Form 3 (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, SOTP Form 4 (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Registration of Supervision Instructions (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Registration of Supervision, Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, SOTP Form 5 (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certification as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 9/01).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC125-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology.

18VAC125-30. Regulations Governing the Certification of Sex Offender Treatment Providers.

FORMS (18VAC125-20)

Instructions for Virginia Board of Psychology Application for Licensure by Examination (rev. 1/03 10/03).

Instructions for Virginia Board of Psychology Application of Licensure by Endorsement (rev. 1/03 10/03).

Psychologist Application for Licensure by Examination, Form 1 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Application for Licensure as a School Psychologist-Limited (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Employment Verification Form (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Registration of Residency—Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, Form 2 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Psychologist Application for Licensure by Endorsement, Form 1 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Psychologist Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License, PSYREIN (rev. 1/03 8/07).

School Psychologist-Limited Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License, PSYREIN (rev. 8/07).

Psychologist Application for Reinstatement Following Disciplinary Action, PSYREDISC (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Verification of Post-Degree Supervision, Form 3 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Internship Verification, Form 4 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Licensure/Certification Verification, Form 5 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Areas of Graduate Study, Form 6 (rev. 1/03 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0803, 0810, 0811 (rev. 1/03).

Renewal Notice and Application, 0814 (rev. 1/03).

Application for Approval as a “Paragraph B” Continuing Education Provider (rev. 8/07).

Continuing Education Audit Summary Form (rev. 8/07).

FORMS (18VAC125-30)

General Information for Certification as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Application for Certification as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider, SOTP Form 1 (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Licensure or Certification Verification of Applicant, SOTP Form 2 (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Sex Offender Treatment Provider, Verification of Supervision, SOTP Form 3 (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor, SOTP Form 4 (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Registration of Supervision Instructions (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Registration of Supervision, Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, SOTP Form 5 (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Application for Reinstatement of Certification as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider (rev. 4/02 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 9/01).

Title of Regulation: 18VAC140-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work.

FORMS (18VAC140-20)

Registration of Supervision Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Social Worker Licensure Application (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Clinical Social Worker Licensure Application (rev 12/02 8/07).

Verification of Clinical Supervision (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Verification of Casework Management and Supportive Services (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Renewal Notice and Application (rev. 12/02).

Out of State Licensure Verification (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Form for Reporting Social Work Attendance at Formal Staffing (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Form for Reporting Social Work Independent Study (rev. 12/02 8/07).

General Information for Licensure by Examination as a Licensed Social Worker, with Application Instructions (rev. 12/02 8/07).

General Information for Licensure by Endorsement as a Licensed Social Worker, with Application Instructions (rev. 12/02 8/07).

General Information for Licensure by Examination as a Clinical Social Worker, with Application Instructions (rev. 12/02 8/07).

General Information for Licensure by Endorsement as a Clinical Social Worker, with Application Instructions (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Registration of Supervision Instructions (rev. 12/02 8/07).

Clinical Social Worker Reinstatement Application (rev. 8/07).

Social Work Reinstatement Application (rev. 8/07).

Clinical Social Worker Licensure Application - Reinstatement Following Disciplinary Action (rev. 8/07).

Continuing Education Summary Form (rev. 8/07).

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC150-10. Public Participation Guidelines (repealing 18VAC150-10-10 through 18VAC150-10-120).

18VAC150-11. Public Participation Guidelines (adding 18VAC150-11-10 through 18VAC150-11-110).

Statutory Authority: §§2.2-4007.02 and 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: Elizabeth Carter, Executive Director, Board of Veterinary Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 662-4426, FAX (804) 527-4471, or email elizabeth.carter@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulations comply with the legislative mandate (Chapter 321, 2008 Acts of Assembly) that agencies adopt model public participation guidelines issued by the Department of Planning and Budget by December 1, 2008. Public participation guidelines exist to promote public involvement in the development, amendment, or repeal of an agency's regulations.

This regulatory action repeals the current public participation guidelines and promulgates new public participation guidelines as required by Chapter 321 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. Highlights of the public participation guidelines include (i) providing for the establishment and maintenance of notification lists of interested persons and specifying the information to be sent to such persons; (ii) providing for public comments on regulatory action; (iii) establishing the time period during which public comments shall be accepted; (iv) providing that the plan to hold a public meeting shall be indicated in any notice of intended regulatory action; (v) providing for the appointment, when necessary, of regulatory advisory panels to provide professional specialization or technical assistance and negotiated rulemaking panels if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial; and (vi) providing for the periodic review of regulations.

CHAPTER 11
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

18VAC150-11-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the Board of Veterinary Medicine. This chapter does not apply to regulations, guidelines, or other documents exempted or excluded from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

18VAC150-11-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the Board of Veterinary Medicine, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

18VAC150-11-30. Notification list.

A. The agency shall maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

18VAC150-11-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 18VAC150-11-30, the agency shall send the following information:

1. A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3. A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to § 2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

18VAC150-11-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency shall afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment shall include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1. To any requesting person, the agency shall provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2. The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency shall accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6. For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7. Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with § 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency shall send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to § 2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC150-11-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in § 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1. The petitioner's name and contact information;

2. The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3. Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to § 2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

18VAC150-11-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise is necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine when a RAP shall be appointed and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1. The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

18VAC150-11-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1. There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3. The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

18VAC150-11-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with § 2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

18VAC150-11-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency shall indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1. The agency's basic law requires the agency to hold a public hearing;

2. The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

3. The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing shall be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency shall also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

18VAC150-11-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency shall conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with:

1. An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to § 2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and

2. The requirements in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC150-10. Public Participation Guidelines (repealing 18VAC150-10-10 through 18VAC150-10-120).

18VAC150-11. Public Participation Guidelines (adding 18VAC150-11-10 through 18VAC150-11-110).

Statutory Authority: §§2.2-4007.02 and 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: Elizabeth Carter, Executive Director, Board of Veterinary Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 662-4426, FAX (804) 527-4471, or email elizabeth.carter@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulations comply with the legislative mandate (Chapter 321, 2008 Acts of Assembly) that agencies adopt model public participation guidelines issued by the Department of Planning and Budget by December 1, 2008. Public participation guidelines exist to promote public involvement in the development, amendment, or repeal of an agency's regulations.

This regulatory action repeals the current public participation guidelines and promulgates new public participation guidelines as required by Chapter 321 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. Highlights of the public participation guidelines include (i) providing for the establishment and maintenance of notification lists of interested persons and specifying the information to be sent to such persons; (ii) providing for public comments on regulatory action; (iii) establishing the time period during which public comments shall be accepted; (iv) providing that the plan to hold a public meeting shall be indicated in any notice of intended regulatory action; (v) providing for the appointment, when necessary, of regulatory advisory panels to provide professional specialization or technical assistance and negotiated rulemaking panels if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial; and (vi) providing for the periodic review of regulations.

CHAPTER 11
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

18VAC150-11-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the Board of Veterinary Medicine. This chapter does not apply to regulations, guidelines, or other documents exempted or excluded from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

18VAC150-11-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the Board of Veterinary Medicine, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

18VAC150-11-30. Notification list.

A. The agency shall maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

18VAC150-11-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 18VAC150-11-30, the agency shall send the following information:

1. A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3. A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to § 2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

18VAC150-11-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency shall afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment shall include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1. To any requesting person, the agency shall provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2. The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency shall accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6. For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7. Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with § 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency shall send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to § 2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC150-11-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in § 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1. The petitioner's name and contact information;

2. The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3. Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to § 2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

18VAC150-11-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise is necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine when a RAP shall be appointed and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1. The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

18VAC150-11-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1. There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3. The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

18VAC150-11-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with § 2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

18VAC150-11-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency shall indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1. The agency's basic law requires the agency to hold a public hearing;

2. The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

3. The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing shall be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency shall also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

18VAC150-11-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency shall conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with:

1. An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to § 2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and

2. The requirements in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Titles of Regulations: 22VAC30-10. Public Participation Guidelines (repealing 22VAC30-10-10, 22VAC30-10-20, 22VAC30-10-40, 22VAC30-10-50, 22VAC30-10-60).

22VAC30-11. Public Participation Guidelines (adding 22VAC30-11-10 through 22VAC30-11-110).

Statutory Authority: §§2.2-4007.02 and 51.5-14 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: Vanessa S. Rakestraw, Policy Analyst, Department of Rehabilitative Services, 8004 Franklin Farms Drive, Richmond, VA 23229, telephone (804) 662-7612, FAX (804) 662-7696, TTY (800) 464-9950, or email vanessa.rakestraw@drs.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulations comply with the legislative mandate (Chapter 321, 2008 Acts of Assembly) that agencies adopt model public participation guidelines issued by the Department of Planning and Budget by December 1, 2008. Public participation guidelines exist to promote public involvement in the development, amendment, or repeal of an agency's regulations.

This regulatory action repeals the current public participation guidelines and promulgates new public participation guidelines as required by Chapter 321 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. Highlights of the public participation guidelines include (i) providing for the establishment and maintenance of notification lists of interested persons and specifying the information to be sent to such persons; (ii) providing for public comments on regulatory action; (iii) establishing the time period during which public comments shall be accepted; (iv) providing that the plan to hold a public meeting shall be indicated in any notice of intended regulatory action; (v) providing for the appointment, when necessary, of regulatory advisory panels to provide professional specialization or technical assistance and negotiated rulemaking panels if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial; and (vi) providing for the periodic review of regulations.

CHAPTER 11
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

22VAC30-11-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the Department of Rehabilitative Services. This chapter does not apply to regulations, guidelines, or other documents exempted or excluded from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

22VAC30-11-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the Department of Rehabilitative Services, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

22VAC30-11-30. Notification list.

A. The agency shall maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

22VAC30-11-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 22VAC30-11-30, the agency shall send the following information:

1. A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3. A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to § 2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

22VAC30-11-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency shall afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment shall include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1. To any requesting person, the agency shall provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2. The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency shall accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6. For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7. Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with § 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency shall send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to § 2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

22VAC30-11-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in § 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1. The petitioner's name and contact information;

2. The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3. Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to § 2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

22VAC30-11-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise is necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine when a RAP shall be appointed and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1. The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

22VAC30-11-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1. There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3. The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

22VAC30-11-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with § 2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

22VAC30-11-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency shall indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1. The agency's basic law requires the agency to hold a public hearing;

2. The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

3. The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing shall be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency shall also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

22VAC30-11-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency shall conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with:

1. An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to § 2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and

2. The requirements in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Titles of Regulations: 22VAC30-10. Public Participation Guidelines (repealing 22VAC30-10-10, 22VAC30-10-20, 22VAC30-10-40, 22VAC30-10-50, 22VAC30-10-60).

22VAC30-11. Public Participation Guidelines (adding 22VAC30-11-10 through 22VAC30-11-110).

Statutory Authority: §§2.2-4007.02 and 51.5-14 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: Vanessa S. Rakestraw, Policy Analyst, Department of Rehabilitative Services, 8004 Franklin Farms Drive, Richmond, VA 23229, telephone (804) 662-7612, FAX (804) 662-7696, TTY (800) 464-9950, or email vanessa.rakestraw@drs.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulations comply with the legislative mandate (Chapter 321, 2008 Acts of Assembly) that agencies adopt model public participation guidelines issued by the Department of Planning and Budget by December 1, 2008. Public participation guidelines exist to promote public involvement in the development, amendment, or repeal of an agency's regulations.

This regulatory action repeals the current public participation guidelines and promulgates new public participation guidelines as required by Chapter 321 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. Highlights of the public participation guidelines include (i) providing for the establishment and maintenance of notification lists of interested persons and specifying the information to be sent to such persons; (ii) providing for public comments on regulatory action; (iii) establishing the time period during which public comments shall be accepted; (iv) providing that the plan to hold a public meeting shall be indicated in any notice of intended regulatory action; (v) providing for the appointment, when necessary, of regulatory advisory panels to provide professional specialization or technical assistance and negotiated rulemaking panels if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial; and (vi) providing for the periodic review of regulations.

CHAPTER 11
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

22VAC30-11-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the Department of Rehabilitative Services. This chapter does not apply to regulations, guidelines, or other documents exempted or excluded from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

22VAC30-11-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the Department of Rehabilitative Services, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

22VAC30-11-30. Notification list.

A. The agency shall maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

22VAC30-11-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 22VAC30-11-30, the agency shall send the following information:

1. A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3. A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to § 2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

22VAC30-11-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency shall afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment shall include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1. To any requesting person, the agency shall provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2. The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency shall accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6. For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7. Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with § 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency shall send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to § 2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

22VAC30-11-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in § 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1. The petitioner's name and contact information;

2. The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3. Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to § 2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

22VAC30-11-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise is necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine when a RAP shall be appointed and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1. The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

22VAC30-11-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1. There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3. The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

22VAC30-11-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with § 2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

22VAC30-11-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency shall indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1. The agency's basic law requires the agency to hold a public hearing;

2. The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

3. The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing shall be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency shall also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

22VAC30-11-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency shall conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with:

1. An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to § 2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and

2. The requirements in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Titles of Regulations: 22VAC40-11. Public Participation Guidelines (repealing 22VAC40-11-10 through 22VAC40-11-70).

22VAC40-12. Public Participation Guidelines (adding 22VAC40-12-10 through 22VAC40-12-110).

Statutory Authority: §§2.2-4007.02 and 63.2-217 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: January 1, 2009.

Agency Contact: L. Richard Martin, Jr., Manager, Department of Social Services, Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, 7 North Eighth Street, Room 5214, Richmond, Virginia 23219, telephone (804) 726-7902, FAX (804) 726-7906, TTY (800) 828-1120, or email richard.martin@dss.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulations comply with the legislative mandate (Chapter 321, 2008 Acts of Assembly) that agencies adopt model public participation guidelines issued by the Department of Planning and Budget by December 1, 2008. Public participation guidelines exist to promote public involvement in the development, amendment, or repeal of an agency's regulations.

This regulatory action repeals the current public participation guidelines and promulgates new public participation guidelines as required by Chapter 321 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. Highlights of the public participation guidelines include (i) providing for the establishment and maintenance of notification lists of interested persons and specifying the information to be sent to such persons; (ii) providing for public comments on regulatory action; (iii) establishing the time period during which public comments shall be accepted; (iv) providing that the plan to hold a public meeting shall be indicated in any notice of intended regulatory action; (v) providing for the appointment, when necessary, of regulatory advisory panels to provide professional specialization or technical assistance and negotiated rulemaking panels if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial; and (vi) providing for the periodic review of regulations.

CHAPTER 12
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

22VAC40-12-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the State Board of Social Services. This chapter does not apply to regulations, guidelines, or other documents exempted or excluded from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

22VAC40-12-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the State Board of Social Services, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

22VAC40-12-30. Notification list.

A. The agency shall maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

22VAC40-12-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 22VAC40-12-30, the agency shall send the following information:

1. A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3. A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to § 2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

22VAC40-12-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency shall afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment shall include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1. To any requesting person, the agency shall provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2. The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency shall accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6. For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7. Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with § 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency shall send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to § 2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

22VAC40-12-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in § 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1. The petitioner's name and contact information;

2. The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3. Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to § 2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

22VAC40-12-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise is necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine when a RAP shall be appointed and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1. The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

22VAC40-12-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1. There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3. The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

22VAC40-12-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with § 2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

22VAC40-12-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency shall indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1. The agency's basic law requires the agency to hold a public hearing;

2. The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

3. The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing shall be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency shall also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

22VAC40-12-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency shall conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with:

1. An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to § 2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and

2. The requirements in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Titles of Regulations: 22VAC40-11. Public Participation Guidelines (repealing 22VAC40-11-10 through 22VAC40-11-70).

22VAC40-12. Public Participation Guidelines (adding 22VAC40-12-10 through 22VAC40-12-110).

Statutory Authority: §§2.2-4007.02 and 63.2-217 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: January 1, 2009.

Agency Contact: L. Richard Martin, Jr., Manager, Department of Social Services, Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, 7 North Eighth Street, Room 5214, Richmond, Virginia 23219, telephone (804) 726-7902, FAX (804) 726-7906, TTY (800) 828-1120, or email richard.martin@dss.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulations comply with the legislative mandate (Chapter 321, 2008 Acts of Assembly) that agencies adopt model public participation guidelines issued by the Department of Planning and Budget by December 1, 2008. Public participation guidelines exist to promote public involvement in the development, amendment, or repeal of an agency's regulations.

This regulatory action repeals the current public participation guidelines and promulgates new public participation guidelines as required by Chapter 321 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. Highlights of the public participation guidelines include (i) providing for the establishment and maintenance of notification lists of interested persons and specifying the information to be sent to such persons; (ii) providing for public comments on regulatory action; (iii) establishing the time period during which public comments shall be accepted; (iv) providing that the plan to hold a public meeting shall be indicated in any notice of intended regulatory action; (v) providing for the appointment, when necessary, of regulatory advisory panels to provide professional specialization or technical assistance and negotiated rulemaking panels if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial; and (vi) providing for the periodic review of regulations.

CHAPTER 12
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

22VAC40-12-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the State Board of Social Services. This chapter does not apply to regulations, guidelines, or other documents exempted or excluded from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

22VAC40-12-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the State Board of Social Services, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by § 2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

22VAC40-12-30. Notification list.

A. The agency shall maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

22VAC40-12-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 22VAC40-12-30, the agency shall send the following information:

1. A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3. A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to § 2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

22VAC40-12-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency shall afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment shall include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1. To any requesting person, the agency shall provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2. The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency shall accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2. For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5. For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6. For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7. Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with § 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency shall send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to § 2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

22VAC40-12-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in § 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1. The petitioner's name and contact information;

2. The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3. Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to § 2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

22VAC40-12-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise is necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine when a RAP shall be appointed and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1. The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

22VAC40-12-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1. There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2. The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3. The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

22VAC40-12-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with § 2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

22VAC40-12-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency shall indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1. The agency's basic law requires the agency to hold a public hearing;

2. The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

3. The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing shall be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency shall also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

22VAC40-12-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency shall conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with:

1. An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to § 2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and

2. The requirements in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Title of Regulation: 24VAC27-30. General Regulations for Towing and Recovery Operators (adding 24VAC27-30-10 through 24VAC27-30-190).

Statutory Authority: §46.2-2805 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 15, 2008.

Agency Contact: J. Marc Copeland, Acting Executive Director, Board of Towing and Recovery Operators, 2601 West Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23220, telephone (804) 367-0712, FAX (804) 367-0718, or email marc.copeland@btro.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulation establishes (i) requirements for licensure of towing operators, including requirements for license renewal and continuing education; (ii) standards of practice; (iii) what constitutes unprofessional conduct; (iv) exemptions from the regulation; and (v) licensure and related fees.

Since publication of the proposed regulation, the fees for Class B operators is reduced in response to public comment. The continuing education requirements, intended to be a place holder in the proposed regulations, is removed from the final adopted regulations as the board will be giving further study to this important area. The board made numerous changes, specifically in response to public comments, in these final adopted regulations over those that were proposed for the public comment period. The most significant changes are: (i) reducing the licensing fees for Class B towers; (ii) removing the one-year time limit on the grandfather clause relative to taking an initial qualifying examination; (iii) removing TRAA examination requirements; (iv) changing the requirement that fees be posted to reflect the intent that such postings apply to facilities and not tow trucks; (v) modifyng the specified amounts of required insurance coverage to show that the amounts are the required minimums; (vi) clarifying that the requirement that operators be required to be able to make change for a customer up to $100 to applies to operators at their business offices and not to drivers in their trucks; (vii) requiring operators to notify the board about changes in drivers that they employ rather than the drivers notifying the board of employer changes; and (viii) after the initial licensing step, only requiring criminal background checks with fingerprinting every three years at license renewal.

Summary of Public Comments and Agency's Response: A summary of comments made by the public and the agency's response may be obtained from the promulgating agency or viewed at the office of the Registrar of Regulations.

CHAPTER 30
GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR TOWING AND RECOVERY OPERATORS

24VAC27-30-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in these regulations by the Virginia Board of Towing and Recovery Operators or the board's related documents, unless expressly stated otherwise, shall have the following meanings [ except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning ]:

"Board" means the Virginia Board of Towing and Recovery Operators.

"Class A operator" means a towing and recovery business towing vehicles of an unlimited gross vehicle weight.

"Class B operator" means a towing and recovery business towing vehicles of a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less.

"Driver" means a person who drives or is in actual physical control of a tow truck. A driver shall have obtained an authorization document issued by the board in order to drive a tow truck while providing towing or recovery services.

"Equipment" means any tow truck, vehicle or related machinery or tools used to provide towing or recovery services.

"Gross vehicle weight" means the aggregate weight of a vehicle and the load thereon.

"Gross vehicle weight rating" means as defined in § 46.2-341.4 of the Code of the Virginia.

"Law-enforcement officer" means any officer authorized [ by law ] to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of the Code of Virginia or local ordinances [ authorized by law ] relating to drivers or driving of motor vehicles.

"Operator" means the same as "towing and recovery operator," notwithstanding the provisions of § 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, which defines operator differently.

"Private property/trespass tow" means requests for towing and recovery services made by the owner, [ operator manager, ] or lessee of private property, or the authorized agent thereof, pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 (§46.2-1216 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia, or local ordinances adopted under that article, or under contract between such person and a towing and recovery operator that specifies what tows are to be made from the property when a motor vehicle or vehicle or self-propelled apparatus is on the property in violation of law or rules promulgated by the owner, [ operator manager ], or lessee of the private property.

"Responsible individual" means an individual identified through the operator's licensure process who is designated by the operator to represent and be accountable for all aspects of licensure for the operator and who is either the principal owner or chief executive officer of the business entity or manager [ or both ] of business operations for the operator.

"Tow" means when the [ towing vehicle tow truck ] has engaged the towed vehicle by a physical, mechanical means that causes the towed vehicle to be lifted off of the ground or moved for any distance whatsoever.

"Towing and recovery operator" means any person, including a business, corporation, or sole proprietor, offering services involving the use of a tow truck and services incidental to the use of a tow truck. Such [ services definition ] shall include but not be limited to those engaged in the business of (i) removing disabled vehicles, parts of vehicles, their cargoes, and other objects to facilities for repair or safekeeping and (ii) restoring to the highway or other location where they either can be operated or removed to other locations for repair or safekeeping vehicles that have come to rest in places where they cannot be operated.

"Towing and recovery services" means services offered by a towing and recovery operator. Any person who in any way advertises himself as a towing and recovery operator or in any way conveys the impression that he is engaged in [ services of ] providing towing and recovery of vehicles shall be deemed to be engaged in towing and recovery services.

"Tow truck" means a motor vehicle for hire (i) designed to lift, pull, or carry another vehicle by means of a hoist or other mechanical apparatus and (ii) having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of at least 10,000 pounds. "Tow truck" also includes vehicles designed with a ramp on wheels and a hydraulic lift with a capacity to haul or tow another vehicle, commonly referred to as "rollbacks." "Tow truck" does not include any "automobile or watercraft transporter," "stinger-steered automobile or watercraft transporter," or "tractor truck" as defined in § 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia.

"Tow truck decal," "decal" or similar words mean a board-issued decal to be affixed to the driver side door of a tow truck owned, leased or operated by a licensed towing and recovery operator.

24VAC27-30-20. Fees.

A. The following fees shall be applicable:

B. All fees shall be nonrefundable.

[ C. Examination fees shall be determined by the board. ]

24VAC27-30-30. General requirements for operator's licensure.

As a condition for licensure, an operator shall:

1. Be an individual or other entity legally authorized to conduct business in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

2. Provide the name of the individual or business entity under which the applicant intends to be licensed. However, the applicant/licensee, at time of application and each renewal of license, shall provide the board with any and all trade or fictitious names under which the operator conducts or offers towing and recovery services.

3. Designate and advise the board of the main or principal office and all additional satellite facilities and the physical addresses. Should such change, the board shall be notified within 30 days [ after ] such change occurs.

4. Designate [ a the operator's ] responsible individual who shall be knowledgeable of all applicable state, federal or local laws and regulations related to those towing and recovery services offered or rendered by the operator and who shall be responsible for assuring that the operator conforms to them.