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2018 SESSION
18104638DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 16.1-77, 16.1-241, 32.1-127, and 38.2-3451 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding sections numbered 2.2-3900.1 and 54.1-2400.01:3 as follows:
§ 2.2-3900.1. Right to abortion.
A. A pregnant person has a fundamental right to obtain an abortion as defined in § 54.1-2400.01:3. No statute or regulation of the Commonwealth shall be construed to prohibit a pregnant person from obtaining an abortion (i) prior to viability or (ii) at any time if, in the professional judgment of a physician, the abortion is necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.
B. Any statute or regulation of the Commonwealth that places a burden on a pregnant person's access to abortion that is disproportionate to the evidence-based health benefit of the statute or regulation is unenforceable.
C. A statute or regulation of the Commonwealth shall be deemed to place a burden on a pregnant person's access to abortion if such statute or regulation (i) imposes medically unnecessary restrictions or requirements on medical facilities in which abortions are provided, (ii) increases the time it takes a pregnant person to obtain an abortion, (iii) requires a meaningful increase in the distance a pregnant person would have to travel to access an abortion, (iv) requires medically unnecessary visits to health care providers, (v) requires a health care provider to perform a medical service that such provider would not otherwise perform, (vi) increases risk to the pregnant person's life or health, (vii) causes a meaningful increase in the cost of an abortion, (viii) has no purpose other than to stigmatize patients and abortion providers, or (ix) has no purpose or effect other than to decrease or eliminate access to abortion.
D. A statute or regulation of the Commonwealth shall be deemed to confer a legitimate health benefit if such statute or regulation (i) expands a pregnant person's access to health care services or (ii) on the basis of evidence-based research, increases patient safety.
§ 16.1-77. Civil jurisdiction of general district courts.
Except as provided in Article 5 (§ 16.1-122.1 et seq.), each general district court shall have, within the limits of the territory it serves, civil jurisdiction as follows:
(1) Exclusive original jurisdiction of any claim to specific personal property or to any debt, fine or other money, or to damages for breach of contract or for injury done to property, real or personal, or for any injury to the person that would be recoverable by action at law or suit in equity, when the amount of such claim does not exceed $4,500 exclusive of interest and any attorney fees, and concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts having jurisdiction in such territory of any such claim when the amount thereof exceeds $4,500 but does not exceed $25,000, exclusive of interest and any attorney fees. However, this $25,000 limit shall not apply with respect to distress warrants under the provisions of § 55-230, cases involving liquidated damages for violations of vehicle weight limits pursuant to § 46.2-1135, nor cases involving forfeiture of a bond pursuant to § 19.2-143.
(2) Jurisdiction to try and decide attachment cases when the amount of the plaintiff's claim does not exceed $25,000 exclusive of interest and any attorney fees.
(3) Jurisdiction of actions of unlawful entry or detainer as provided in Article 13 (§ 8.01-124 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01, and in Chapter 13 (§ 55-217 et seq.) of Title 55, and the maximum jurisdictional limits prescribed in subdivision (1) shall not apply to any claim, counter-claim or cross-claim in an unlawful detainer action that includes a claim for damages sustained or rent against any person obligated on the lease or guarantee of such lease.
(4) Except where otherwise specifically provided, all jurisdiction, power and authority over any civil action or proceeding conferred upon any general district court judge or magistrate under or by virtue of any provisions of the Code.
(5) Jurisdiction to try and decide suits in interpleader involving personal or real property where the amount of money or value of the property is not more than the maximum jurisdictional limits of the general district court. However, the maximum jurisdictional limits prescribed in subdivision (1) shall not apply to any claim, counter-claim, or cross-claim in an interpleader action that is limited to the disposition of an earnest money deposit pursuant to a real estate purchase contract. The action shall be brought in accordance with the procedures for interpleader as set forth in § 8.01-364. However, the general district court shall not have any power to issue injunctions. Actions in interpleader may be brought by either the stakeholder or any of the claimants. The initial pleading shall be either by motion for judgment, by warrant in debt, or by other uniform court form established by the Supreme Court of Virginia. The initial pleading shall briefly set forth the circumstances of the claim and shall name as defendant all parties in interest who are not parties plaintiff.
(6) Jurisdiction to try and decide any cases pursuant to § 2.2-3713 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) or § 2.2-3809 of the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act (§ 2.2-3800 et seq.), for writs of mandamus or for injunctions.
(7) Concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts having jurisdiction in such territory to adjudicate habitual offenders pursuant to the provisions of Article 9 (§ 46.2-355.1 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 46.2.
(8) Jurisdiction to try
and decide cases alleging a civil violation described in § 18.2-76.
(9)
Jurisdiction to try and decide any cases pursuant to § 55-79.80:2 of the
Condominium Act (§ 55-79.39 et seq.) or § 55-513 of the Property Owners'
Association Act (§ 55-508 et seq.).
(10) (9) Concurrent
jurisdiction with the circuit courts to submit matters to arbitration pursuant
to Chapter 21 (§ 8.01-577 et seq.) of Title 8.01 where the amount in
controversy is within the jurisdictional limits of the general district court.
Any party that disagrees with an order by a general district court granting an
application to compel arbitration may appeal such decision to the circuit court
pursuant to § 8.01-581.016.
§ 16.1-241. Jurisdiction; consent for abortion.
The judges of the juvenile and domestic relations district court elected or appointed under this law shall be conservators of the peace within the corporate limits of the cities and the boundaries of the counties for which they are respectively chosen and within one mile beyond the limits of such cities and counties. Except as hereinafter provided, each juvenile and domestic relations district court shall have, within the limits of the territory for which it is created, exclusive original jurisdiction, and within one mile beyond the limits of said city or county, concurrent jurisdiction with the juvenile court or courts of the adjoining city or county, over all cases, matters and proceedings involving:
A. The custody, visitation, support, control or disposition of a child:
1. Who is alleged to be abused, neglected, in need of services, in need of supervision, a status offender, or delinquent except where the jurisdiction of the juvenile court has been terminated or divested;
2. Who is abandoned by his parent or other custodian or who by reason of the absence or physical or mental incapacity of his parents is without parental care and guardianship;
2a. Who is at risk of being abused or neglected by a parent or custodian who has been adjudicated as having abused or neglected another child in the care of the parent or custodian;
3. Whose custody, visitation or support is a subject of controversy or requires determination. In such cases jurisdiction shall be concurrent with and not exclusive of courts having equity jurisdiction, except as provided in § 16.1-244;
4. Who is the subject of an entrustment agreement entered into pursuant to § 63.2-903 or 63.2-1817 or whose parent or parents for good cause desire to be relieved of his care and custody;
5. Where the termination of residual parental rights and responsibilities is sought. In such cases jurisdiction shall be concurrent with and not exclusive of courts having equity jurisdiction, as provided in § 16.1-244;
6. Who is charged with a traffic infraction as defined in § 46.2-100; or
7. Who is alleged to have refused to take a blood test in violation of § 18.2-268.2.
In any case in which the juvenile is alleged to have committed a violent juvenile felony enumerated in subsection B of § 16.1-269.1, and for any charges ancillary thereto, the jurisdiction of the juvenile court shall be limited to conducting a preliminary hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the juvenile committed the act alleged and that the juvenile was 14 years of age or older at the time of the commission of the alleged offense, and any matters related thereto. In any case in which the juvenile is alleged to have committed a violent juvenile felony enumerated in subsection C of § 16.1-269.1, and for all charges ancillary thereto, if the attorney for the Commonwealth has given notice as provided in subsection C of § 16.1-269.1, the jurisdiction of the juvenile court shall be limited to conducting a preliminary hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the juvenile committed the act alleged and that the juvenile was 14 years of age or older at the time of the commission of the alleged offense, and any matters related thereto. A determination by the juvenile court following a preliminary hearing pursuant to subsection B or C of § 16.1-269.1 to certify a charge to the grand jury shall divest the juvenile court of jurisdiction over the charge and any ancillary charge. In any case in which a transfer hearing is held pursuant to subsection A of § 16.1-269.1, if the juvenile court determines to transfer the case, jurisdiction of the juvenile court over the case shall be divested as provided in § 16.1-269.6.
In all other cases involving delinquent acts, and in cases in which an ancillary charge remains after a violent juvenile felony charge has been dismissed or a violent juvenile felony has been reduced to a lesser offense not constituting a violent juvenile felony, the jurisdiction of the juvenile court shall not be divested unless there is a transfer pursuant to subsection A of § 16.1-269.1.
The authority of the juvenile court to adjudicate matters involving the custody, visitation, support, control or disposition of a child shall not be limited to the consideration of petitions filed by a mother, father or legal guardian but shall include petitions filed at any time by any party with a legitimate interest therein. A party with a legitimate interest shall be broadly construed and shall include, but not be limited to, grandparents, step-grandparents, stepparents, former stepparents, blood relatives and family members. A party with a legitimate interest shall not include any person (i) whose parental rights have been terminated by court order, either voluntarily or involuntarily, (ii) whose interest in the child derives from or through a person whose parental rights have been terminated by court order, either voluntarily or involuntarily, including, but not limited to, grandparents, stepparents, former stepparents, blood relatives and family members, if the child subsequently has been legally adopted, except where a final order of adoption is entered pursuant to § 63.2-1241, or (iii) who has been convicted of a violation of subsection A of § 18.2-61, § 18.2-63, subsection B of § 18.2-366, or an equivalent offense of another state, the United States, or any foreign jurisdiction, when the child who is the subject of the petition was conceived as a result of such violation. The authority of the juvenile court to consider a petition involving the custody of a child shall not be proscribed or limited where the child has previously been awarded to the custody of a local board of social services.
B. The admission of minors for inpatient treatment in a mental health facility in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 (§ 16.1-335 et seq.) and the involuntary admission of a person with mental illness or judicial certification of eligibility for admission to a training center for persons with intellectual disability in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 8 (§ 37.2-800 et seq.) of Title 37.2. Jurisdiction of the involuntary admission and certification of adults shall be concurrent with the general district court.
C. Except as provided in subsections D and H, judicial consent to such activities as may require parental consent may be given for a child who has been separated from his parents, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis and is in the custody of the court when such consent is required by law.
D. Judicial consent for emergency surgical or medical treatment for a child who is neither married nor has ever been married, when the consent of his parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis is unobtainable because such parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis (i) is not a resident of the Commonwealth, (ii) has his whereabouts unknown, (iii) cannot be consulted with promptness, reasonable under the circumstances, or (iv) fails to give such consent or provide such treatment when requested by the judge to do so.
E. Any person charged with deserting, abandoning or failing to provide support for any person in violation of law.
F. Any parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis of a child:
1. Who has been abused or neglected;
2. Who is the subject of an entrustment agreement entered into pursuant to § 63.2-903 or 63.2-1817 or is otherwise before the court pursuant to subdivision A 4; or
3. Who has been adjudicated in need of services, in need of supervision, or delinquent, if the court finds that such person has by overt act or omission induced, caused, encouraged or contributed to the conduct of the child complained of in the petition.
G. Petitions filed by or on behalf of a child or such child's parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis for the purpose of obtaining treatment, rehabilitation or other services that are required by law to be provided for that child or such child's parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis. Jurisdiction in such cases shall be concurrent with and not exclusive of that of courts having equity jurisdiction as provided in § 16.1-244.
H. Judicial consent to apply for a work permit for a child when such child is separated from his parents, legal guardian or other person standing in loco parentis.
I. The prosecution and punishment of persons charged with ill-treatment, abuse, abandonment or neglect of children or with any violation of law that causes or tends to cause a child to come within the purview of this law, or with any other offense against the person of a child. In prosecution for felonies over which the court has jurisdiction, jurisdiction shall be limited to determining whether or not there is probable cause.
J. All offenses in which one family or household member is charged with an offense in which another family or household member is the victim and all offenses under § 18.2-49.1.
In prosecution for felonies over which the court has jurisdiction, jurisdiction shall be limited to determining whether or not there is probable cause. Any objection based on jurisdiction under this subsection shall be made before a jury is impaneled and sworn in a jury trial or, in a nonjury trial, before the earlier of when the court begins to hear or receive evidence or the first witness is sworn, or it shall be conclusively waived for all purposes. Any such objection shall not affect or be grounds for challenging directly or collaterally the jurisdiction of the court in which the case is tried.
K. Petitions filed by a natural parent, whose parental rights to a child have been voluntarily relinquished pursuant to a court proceeding, to seek a reversal of the court order terminating such parental rights. No such petition shall be accepted, however, after the child has been placed in the home of adoptive parents.
L. Any person who seeks spousal support after having separated from his spouse. A decision under this subdivision shall not be res judicata in any subsequent action for spousal support in a circuit court. A circuit court shall have concurrent original jurisdiction in all causes of action under this subdivision.
M. Petitions filed for the purpose of obtaining an order of protection pursuant to § 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, or 16.1-279.1, and all petitions filed for the purpose of obtaining an order of protection pursuant to § 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9, or 19.2-152.10 if either the alleged victim or the respondent is a juvenile.
N. Any person who escapes or remains away without proper authority from a residential care facility in which he had been placed by the court or as a result of his commitment to the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice.
O. Petitions for emancipation of a minor pursuant to Article 15 (§ 16.1-331 et seq.).
P. Petitions for enforcement of administrative support orders entered pursuant to Chapter 19 (§ 63.2-1900 et seq.) of Title 63.2, or by another state in the same manner as if the orders were entered by a juvenile and domestic relations district court upon the filing of a certified copy of such order in the juvenile and domestic relations district court.
Q. Petitions for a determination of parentage pursuant to Chapter 3.1 (§ 20-49.1 et seq.) of Title 20. A circuit court shall have concurrent original jurisdiction to the extent provided for in § 20-49.2.
R. [Repealed.]
S. Petitions filed by school boards against parents pursuant to §§ 16.1-241.2 and 22.1-279.3.
T. Petitions to enforce any request for information or subpoena that is not complied with or to review any refusal to issue a subpoena in an administrative appeal regarding child abuse and neglect pursuant to § 63.2-1526.
U. Petitions filed in connection with parental placement adoption consent hearings pursuant to § 63.2-1233. Such proceedings shall be advanced on the docket so as to be heard by the court within 10 days of filing of the petition, or as soon thereafter as practicable so as to provide the earliest possible disposition.
V. Petitions filed for the purpose of obtaining the court's assistance with the execution of consent to an adoption when the consent to an adoption is executed pursuant to the laws of another state and the laws of that state provide for the execution of consent to an adoption in the court of the Commonwealth.
W. Petitions filed by a juvenile seeking judicial authorization
for a physician
health care provider to
perform provide
an abortion if a minor elects not to seek consent of an authorized person.
After a hearing, a judge shall issue an order authorizing a physician health care provider to perform
provide an abortion, without the consent of any authorized
person, if he finds that (i) the minor is mature enough and well enough
informed to make her the minor's abortion decision,
in consultation with her physician the minor's health care provider,
independent of the wishes of any authorized person, or (ii) the minor is not
mature enough or well enough informed to make such decision, but the desired
abortion would be in her the minor's best interest.
If the judge authorizes an abortion based on the best interests
of the minor, such order shall expressly state that such authorization is
subject to the physician health care provider or his
agent giving notice of intent to perform provide the abortion; however,
no such notice shall be required if the judge finds that such notice would not
be in the best interest of the minor. In determining whether notice is in the
best interest of the minor, the judge shall consider the totality of the
circumstances; however, he shall find that notice is not in the best interest of
the minor if he finds that (i) one or more authorized persons with whom the
minor regularly and customarily resides is abusive or neglectful, and (ii)
every other authorized person, if any, is either abusive or neglectful or has
refused to accept responsibility as parent, legal guardian, custodian or person
standing in loco parentis.
The minor may participate in the court proceedings on her the
minor's own behalf, and the court may appoint a guardian ad
litem for the minor. The court shall advise the minor that she the minor has a right to
counsel and shall, upon her the minor's request, appoint
counsel for her the minor.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this subsection shall govern proceedings relating to consent for a minor's abortion. Court proceedings under this subsection and records of such proceedings shall be confidential. Such proceedings shall be given precedence over other pending matters so that the court may reach a decision promptly and without delay in order to serve the best interests of the minor. Court proceedings under this subsection shall be heard and decided as soon as practicable but in no event later than four days after the petition is filed.
An expedited confidential appeal to the circuit court shall be available to any minor for whom the court denies an order authorizing an abortion without consent or without notice. Any such appeal shall be heard and decided no later than five days after the appeal is filed. The time periods required by this subsection shall be subject to subsection B of § 1-210. An order authorizing an abortion without consent or without notice shall not be subject to appeal.
No filing fees shall be required of the minor at trial or upon appeal.
If either the original court or the circuit court fails to act
within the time periods required by this subsection, the court before which the
proceeding is pending shall immediately authorize a
physician health care provider
to perform
provide the abortion without consent of or notice to an
authorized person.
Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to
authorize a physician health care provider to perform
provide an abortion on to a minor in circumstances or
in a manner that would be unlawful if performed on provided to an adult woman.
A physician health care provider shall not
knowingly perform
provide an abortion upon to an unemancipated minor
unless consent has been obtained or the minor delivers to the physician a court
order entered pursuant to this section and the
physician health care provider
or his agent provides such notice as such order may require. However, neither
consent nor judicial authorization nor notice shall be required if the minor
declares that she the minor is abused or
neglected and the attending physician health care provider has
reason to suspect that the minor may be an abused or neglected child as defined
in § 63.2-100 and reports the suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with §
63.2-1509; or if there is a medical emergency, in which case the attending physician
health care provider shall certify the facts justifying the
exception in the minor's medical record.
For purposes of this subsection:
"Authorization" means the minor has delivered to the physician
health care provider a notarized, written statement signed
by an authorized person that the authorized person knows of the minor's intent
to have an abortion and consents to such abortion being
performed on provided to
the minor.
"Authorized person" means (i) a parent or duly appointed legal guardian or custodian of the minor or (ii) a person standing in loco parentis, including, but not limited to, a grandparent or adult sibling with whom the minor regularly and customarily resides and who has care and control of the minor. Any person who knows he is not an authorized person and who knowingly and willfully signs an authorization statement consenting to an abortion for a minor is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
"Consent" means that (i) the
physician health care provider
has given notice of intent to perform provide the abortion and has
received authorization from an authorized person, or (ii) at least one
authorized person is present with the minor seeking the abortion and provides
written authorization to the physician health care provider, which
shall be witnessed by the physician health care provider or an
agent thereof. In either case, the written authorization shall be incorporated
into the minor's medical record and maintained as a part thereof.
"Medical emergency" means any condition which, on
the basis of the physician's health care provider's good
faith clinical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of the pregnant
minor as to necessitate the immediate abortion of her the minor's pregnancy to avert her the
minor's death or for which a delay will
create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major
bodily function impair the mental or
physical health of the minor.
"Notice of intent to
perform provide
the abortion" means that (i) the physician health care provider or his
agent has given actual notice of his intention to
perform provide
such abortion to an authorized person, either in person or by telephone, at
least 24 hours previous to the performance provision of the abortion; or
(ii) the physician
health care provider or his agent, after a reasonable
effort to notify an authorized person, has mailed notice to an authorized
person by certified mail, addressed to such person at his usual place of abode,
with return receipt requested, at least 72 hours prior to the performance provision of the abortion.
"Perform Provide an
abortion" means to interrupt or
terminate any medical treatment
provided with the intention of inducing the termination of
a pregnancy by any surgical or
nonsurgical procedure or to induce a miscarriage as provided in § 18.2-72,
18.2-73, or 18.2-74 as provided in §
54.1-2400.01:3.
"Unemancipated minor" means a minor who has not been emancipated by (i) entry into a valid marriage, even though the marriage may have been terminated by dissolution; (ii) active duty with any of the Armed Forces of the United States; (iii) willingly living separate and apart from his or her parents or guardian, with the consent or acquiescence of the parents or guardian; or (iv) entry of an order of emancipation pursuant to Article 15 (§ 16.1-331 et seq.).
X. Petitions filed pursuant to Article 17 (§ 16.1-349 et seq.) relating to standby guardians for minor children.
The ages specified in this law refer to the age of the child at the time of the acts complained of in the petition.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no fees shall be charged by a sheriff for the service of any process in a proceeding pursuant to subdivision A 3, except as provided in subdivision A 6 of § 17.1-272, or subsection B, D, M, or R.
Notwithstanding the provisions of §
18.2-71 54.1-2400.01:3,
any physician
health care provider who
performs provides
an abortion in violation of subsection W shall be guilty of a Class 3
misdemeanor.
§ 32.1-127. Regulations.
A. The regulations promulgated by the Board to carry out the provisions of this article shall be in substantial conformity to the standards of health, hygiene, sanitation, construction and safety as established and recognized by medical and health care professionals and by specialists in matters of public health and safety, including health and safety standards established under provisions of Title XVIII and Title XIX of the Social Security Act, and to the provisions of Article 2 (§ 32.1-138 et seq.).
B. Such regulations:
1. Shall include minimum standards for (i) the construction
and maintenance of hospitals, nursing homes and certified nursing facilities to
ensure the environmental protection and the life safety of its patients, and
employees, and the public; (ii) the
operation, staffing and equipping of hospitals, nursing homes and certified
nursing facilities; (iii) qualifications and training of staff of hospitals,
nursing homes and certified nursing facilities, except those professionals
licensed or certified by the Department of Health Professions; (iv) conditions
under which a hospital or nursing home may provide medical and nursing services
to patients in their places of residence; and (v) policies related to infection
prevention, disaster preparedness, and facility security of hospitals, nursing
homes, and certified nursing facilities. For purposes of this
paragraph, facilities in which five or more first trimester abortions per month
are performed shall be classified as a category of "hospital";
2. Shall provide that at least one physician who is licensed to practice medicine in this Commonwealth shall be on call at all times, though not necessarily physically present on the premises, at each hospital which operates or holds itself out as operating an emergency service;
3. May classify hospitals and nursing homes by type of specialty or service and may provide for licensing hospitals and nursing homes by bed capacity and by type of specialty or service;
4. Shall also require that each hospital establish a protocol for organ donation, in compliance with federal law and the regulations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), particularly 42 C.F.R. § 482.45. Each hospital shall have an agreement with an organ procurement organization designated in CMS regulations for routine contact, whereby the provider's designated organ procurement organization certified by CMS (i) is notified in a timely manner of all deaths or imminent deaths of patients in the hospital and (ii) is authorized to determine the suitability of the decedent or patient for organ donation and, in the absence of a similar arrangement with any eye bank or tissue bank in Virginia certified by the Eye Bank Association of America or the American Association of Tissue Banks, the suitability for tissue and eye donation. The hospital shall also have an agreement with at least one tissue bank and at least one eye bank to cooperate in the retrieval, processing, preservation, storage, and distribution of tissues and eyes to ensure that all usable tissues and eyes are obtained from potential donors and to avoid interference with organ procurement. The protocol shall ensure that the hospital collaborates with the designated organ procurement organization to inform the family of each potential donor of the option to donate organs, tissues, or eyes or to decline to donate. The individual making contact with the family shall have completed a course in the methodology for approaching potential donor families and requesting organ or tissue donation that (a) is offered or approved by the organ procurement organization and designed in conjunction with the tissue and eye bank community and (b) encourages discretion and sensitivity according to the specific circumstances, views, and beliefs of the relevant family. In addition, the hospital shall work cooperatively with the designated organ procurement organization in educating the staff responsible for contacting the organ procurement organization's personnel on donation issues, the proper review of death records to improve identification of potential donors, and the proper procedures for maintaining potential donors while necessary testing and placement of potential donated organs, tissues, and eyes takes place. This process shall be followed, without exception, unless the family of the relevant decedent or patient has expressed opposition to organ donation, the chief administrative officer of the hospital or his designee knows of such opposition, and no donor card or other relevant document, such as an advance directive, can be found;
5. Shall require that each hospital that provides obstetrical services establish a protocol for admission or transfer of any pregnant woman who presents herself while in labor;
6. Shall also require that each licensed hospital develop and implement a protocol requiring written discharge plans for identified, substance-abusing, postpartum women and their infants. The protocol shall require that the discharge plan be discussed with the patient and that appropriate referrals for the mother and the infant be made and documented. Appropriate referrals may include, but need not be limited to, treatment services, comprehensive early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families pursuant to Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1471 et seq., and family-oriented prevention services. The discharge planning process shall involve, to the extent possible, the father of the infant and any members of the patient's extended family who may participate in the follow-up care for the mother and the infant. Immediately upon identification, pursuant to § 54.1-2403.1, of any substance-abusing, postpartum woman, the hospital shall notify, subject to federal law restrictions, the community services board of the jurisdiction in which the woman resides to appoint a discharge plan manager. The community services board shall implement and manage the discharge plan;
7. Shall require that each nursing home and certified nursing facility fully disclose to the applicant for admission the home's or facility's admissions policies, including any preferences given;
8. Shall require that each licensed hospital establish a protocol relating to the rights and responsibilities of patients which shall include a process reasonably designed to inform patients of such rights and responsibilities. Such rights and responsibilities of patients, a copy of which shall be given to patients on admission, shall be consistent with applicable federal law and regulations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services;
9. Shall establish standards and maintain a process for designation of levels or categories of care in neonatal services according to an applicable national or state-developed evaluation system. Such standards may be differentiated for various levels or categories of care and may include, but need not be limited to, requirements for staffing credentials, staff/patient ratios, equipment, and medical protocols;
10. Shall require that each nursing home and certified nursing facility train all employees who are mandated to report adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation pursuant to § 63.2-1606 on such reporting procedures and the consequences for failing to make a required report;
11. Shall permit hospital personnel, as designated in medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations, or hospital policies and procedures, to accept emergency telephone and other verbal orders for medication or treatment for hospital patients from physicians, and other persons lawfully authorized by state statute to give patient orders, subject to a requirement that such verbal order be signed, within a reasonable period of time not to exceed 72 hours as specified in the hospital's medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations or hospital policies and procedures, by the person giving the order, or, when such person is not available within the period of time specified, co-signed by another physician or other person authorized to give the order;
12. Shall require, unless the vaccination is medically contraindicated or the resident declines the offer of the vaccination, that each certified nursing facility and nursing home provide or arrange for the administration to its residents of (i) an annual vaccination against influenza and (ii) a pneumococcal vaccination, in accordance with the most recent recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
13. Shall require that each nursing home and certified nursing facility register with the Department of State Police to receive notice of the registration or reregistration of any sex offender within the same or a contiguous zip code area in which the home or facility is located, pursuant to § 9.1-914;
14. Shall require that each nursing home and certified nursing facility ascertain, prior to admission, whether a potential patient is a registered sex offender, if the home or facility anticipates the potential patient will have a length of stay greater than three days or in fact stays longer than three days;
15. Shall require that each licensed hospital include in its visitation policy a provision allowing each adult patient to receive visits from any individual from whom the patient desires to receive visits, subject to other restrictions contained in the visitation policy including, but not limited to, those related to the patient's medical condition and the number of visitors permitted in the patient's room simultaneously;
16. Shall require that each nursing home and certified nursing facility shall, upon the request of the facility's family council, send notices and information about the family council mutually developed by the family council and the administration of the nursing home or certified nursing facility, and provided to the facility for such purpose, to the listed responsible party or a contact person of the resident's choice up to six times per year. Such notices may be included together with a monthly billing statement or other regular communication. Notices and information shall also be posted in a designated location within the nursing home or certified nursing facility. No family member of a resident or other resident representative shall be restricted from participating in meetings in the facility with the families or resident representatives of other residents in the facility;
17. Shall require that each nursing home and certified nursing facility maintain liability insurance coverage in a minimum amount of $1 million, and professional liability coverage in an amount at least equal to the recovery limit set forth in § 8.01-581.15, to compensate patients or individuals for injuries and losses resulting from the negligent or criminal acts of the facility. Failure to maintain such minimum insurance shall result in revocation of the facility's license;
18. Shall require each hospital that provides obstetrical services to establish policies to follow when a stillbirth, as defined in § 32.1-69.1, occurs that meet the guidelines pertaining to counseling patients and their families and other aspects of managing stillbirths as may be specified by the Board in its regulations;
19. Shall require each nursing home to provide a full refund of any unexpended patient funds on deposit with the facility following the discharge or death of a patient, other than entrance-related fees paid to a continuing care provider as defined in § 38.2-4900, within 30 days of a written request for such funds by the discharged patient or, in the case of the death of a patient, the person administering the person's estate in accordance with the Virginia Small Estates Act (§ 64.2-600 et seq.); and
20. Shall require that each hospital that provides inpatient psychiatric services establish a protocol that (i) requires, for any refusal to admit a medically stable patient referred to its psychiatric unit, direct verbal communication between the on-call physician in the psychiatric unit and the referring physician, if requested by such referring physician, and (ii) prohibits on-call physicians or other hospital staff from refusing a request for such direct verbal communication by a referring physician.
C. Upon obtaining the appropriate license, if applicable, licensed hospitals, nursing homes, and certified nursing facilities may operate adult day care centers.
D. All facilities licensed by the Board pursuant to this article which provide treatment or care for hemophiliacs and, in the course of such treatment, stock clotting factors, shall maintain records of all lot numbers or other unique identifiers for such clotting factors in order that, in the event the lot is found to be contaminated with an infectious agent, those hemophiliacs who have received units of this contaminated clotting factor may be apprised of this contamination. Facilities which have identified a lot which is known to be contaminated shall notify the recipient's attending physician and request that he notify the recipient of the contamination. If the physician is unavailable, the facility shall notify by mail, return receipt requested, each recipient who received treatment from a known contaminated lot at the individual's last known address.
§ 38.2-3451. Essential health benefits.
A. Notwithstanding any provision of § 38.2-3431 or any other
section of this title to the contrary, a health carrier offering a health
benefit plan providing individual or small group health insurance coverage
shall provide that such coverage
includes the essential health benefits as required by § 1302(a) of the PPACA.
The essential health benefits package may also include associated cost-sharing
requirements or limitations. No qualified health
insurance plan that is sold or offered for sale through an exchange established
or operating in the Commonwealth shall provide coverage for abortions,
regardless of whether such coverage is provided through the plan or is offered
as a separate optional rider thereto, provided that such limitation shall not
apply to an abortion performed (i) when the life of the mother is endangered by
a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a
life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy
itself, or (ii) when the pregnancy is the result of an alleged act of rape or
incest.
B. The provisions of subsection A regarding the inclusion of the PPACA-required minimum essential pediatric oral health benefits shall be deemed to be satisfied for health benefit plans made available in the small group market or individual market in the Commonwealth outside an exchange, as defined in § 38.2-3455, issued for policy or plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, that do not include the PPACA-required minimum essential pediatric oral health benefits if the health carrier has obtained reasonable assurance that such pediatric oral health benefits are provided to the purchaser of the health benefit plan. The health carrier shall be deemed to have obtained reasonable assurance that such pediatric oral health benefits are provided to the purchaser of the health benefit plan if:
1. At least one qualified dental plan, as defined in § 38.2-3455, (i) offers the minimum essential pediatric oral health benefits that are required under the PPACA and (ii) is available for purchase by the small group or individual purchaser; and
2. The health carrier prominently discloses, in a form approved by the Commission, at the time that it offers the health benefit plan that the plan does not provide the PPACA-required minimum essential pediatric oral health benefits.
§ 54.1-2400.01:3. Abortion defined; who may provide abortions.
A. As used in this subtitle, "abortion" means any medical treatment provided with the intention of inducing the termination of a pregnancy except for the purpose of producing a live birth.
B. No person shall provide an abortion to a pregnant person during the first trimester of pregnancy unless he is (i) licensed by the Board of Medicine as a physician of medicine or osteopathy, a physician's assistant, or a midwife and acting within his scope of practice; (ii) jointly licensed by the Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing as a nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife and acting within his scope of practice; or (iii) acting pursuant to the orders and under the appropriate supervision of a physician licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy who is acting within the physician's scope of practice.
C. No person shall provide an abortion to a pregnant person during the second trimester of pregnancy unless he is (i) a physician licensed by the Board of Medicine to practice medicine or osteopathy and acting within his scope of practice or (ii) acting pursuant to the orders and under the appropriate supervision of a physician licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy who is acting within the physician's scope of practice.
D. No person shall provide an abortion to a pregnant person during the third trimester of pregnancy unless he is (i) a physician licensed by the Board of Medicine to practice medicine or osteopathy and acting within his scope of practice or (ii) acting pursuant to the orders and under the appropriate supervision of a physician licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy who is acting within the physician's scope of practice and the following conditions are met:
1. The abortion is provided in a hospital licensed by the Virginia State Department of Health or operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services;
2. The physician certifies and enters in the hospital record of the pregnant person that in his medical opinion, based upon his best clinical judgment, (i) the pregnancy is not viable, (ii) the continuation of the pregnancy is likely to result in the death of the pregnant person, or (iii) the continuation of the pregnancy is likely to impair the mental or physical health of the pregnant person; and
3. Measures for life support for the product of such abortion are available and utilized if there is any clearly visible evidence of viability.
E. Subsections B, C, and D shall not apply in the event that it is necessary for a health care provider to terminate a human pregnancy or assist in the termination of a human pregnancy by providing an abortion to any pregnant person in order to save such person's life, in the opinion of the health care provider so providing the abortion.
F. Before providing any abortion, the health care provider shall obtain the informed written consent of the pregnant person. However, if the pregnant person has been adjudicated incapacitated by any court of competent jurisdiction or if the health care provider knows or has good reason to believe that such pregnant person is incapacitated as adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction, then only after permission is given in writing by a parent, guardian, committee, or other person standing in loco parentis to the pregnant person may the health care provider provide the abortion.
G. Nothing in this section shall require a hospital or other medical facility or physician to admit any patient for the purpose of providing an abortion. In addition, any person who states in writing an objection to any abortion or all abortions on personal, ethical, moral, or religious grounds shall not be required to participate in procedures that will result in such abortion, and the refusal of such person, hospital, or other medical facility to participate therein shall not form the basis of any claim for damages on account of such refusal or for any disciplinary or recriminatory action against such person, nor shall any such person be denied employment because of such objection or refusal. The written objection shall remain in effect until such person revokes it in writing or terminates his association with the facility with which it is filed.
H. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict, limit, change, or expand the scope of practice in effect on June 30, 2018, of any profession licensed by any of the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions.
2. That § 18.2-71 and §§ 18.2-72 through 18.2-76 of the Code of Virginia are repealed.