AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE HOUSE

GENERAL LAWS

1. Line 11, introduced, Title, after 8.01-581.23

insert

9.1-102,

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2. Line 11, introduced, Title, after 10.1-400

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10.1-560,

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3. Line 13, introduced, Title, after 10.1-1186,

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the remainder of line 13 and through 13.1-1111, on line 14

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4. Line 14, introduced, Title, after 15.2-2232,

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15.2-4503.1, 15.2-4515, 15.2-4830,

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5. Line 17, introduced, Title, after 32.1-127.1:04,

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the remainder of line 17 and through 32.1-165, on line 18

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6. Line 21, introduced, Title, after 46.2-411,

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46.2-649.1, 46.2-753

insert

46.2-1206,

GENERAL LAWS

7. Line 23, introduced, Title, after 54.1-300,

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54.1-400, 54.1-402.2, 54.1-403, 54.1-407, 54.1-411,

GENERAL LAWS

8. At the beginning of line 26, Title, introduced

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58.1-3,

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9. Line 26, introduced, Title, after 58.1-439.11,

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58.1-638,

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10. Line 26, introduced, Title, after 58.1-2259,

insert

59.1-198,

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11. Line 27, introduced, Title, after 59.1-432,

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59.1-433,

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12. Line 35, introduced, Title, after Title 2.2

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sections numbered 2.2-2627.1 and 2.2-2627.2,

insert

a section numbered 2.2-2627.1,

GENERAL LAWS

13. Line 40, introduced, Title, after 51.5-191,

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the remainder of line 40 and through 52-75, on line 41

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14. Line 53, introduced, Title, after 10.1-1172,

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the remainder of line 53 and through Title 10.1, on line 54

GENERAL LAWS

15. At the beginning of line 55, Title, introduced

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Article 1.1 (§§ 32.1-166.1 through 32.1-166.10) of Chapter 6 of Title 32.1,

GENERAL LAWS

16. At the beginning of line 60, Title, introduced

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Article 2 (§§ 54.1-412, 54.1-413, and 54.1-414) of Chapter 4,

GENERAL LAWS

17. Line 69, introduced, Title, after Advisory Board,

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the remainder of line 69 and through Review Board, on line 70

GENERAL LAWS

18. Line 70, introduced, Title, after Indians,

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the remainder of line 70 and through Advisory Board, on line 71

GENERAL LAWS

19. Line 83, introduced, Title, after Board

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the remainder of line 83

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20. Line 90, introduced, Title, after braiding

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, [the comma]

insert

and

GENERAL LAWS

21. Line 91, introduced, Title, after remediators

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, and interior design

GENERAL LAWS

22. Line 114, introduced, after means

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the remainder of line 114 and all of line 115

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an activity performed by or for state government that is not an inherently governmental activity and that may feasibly be obtained from a commercial source at lower cost than the activity being performed by state employees.

GENERAL LAWS

23. After line 171, introduced

insert

"Commercial activities list" means the list of all commercial activities performed by employees of the Commonwealth.

GENERAL LAWS

24. Line 176, introduced, after B.

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The

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From such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the

GENERAL LAWS

25. Line 187, introduced, after two years

insert

and posted on the Internet.  In addition, the Department shall solicit at least annually in the Virginia Register public comments on the Commercial Activities List and invite recommendations from the public regarding activities being performed by state agencies that might better be performed by the private sector.  All comments received shall be considered, and reasonable accommodation shall be made to permit representatives of any private entity, upon their request, to meet with the Department and the appropriate state agency to discuss their comments

GENERAL LAWS

26. Line 320, introduced, after Commonwealth.

insert

A personnel committee of the Council is established, consisting of the Clerk of the House of Delegates, the Clerk of the Senate, the Secretary of Administration, and the chairman of the Council or their designees.  The personnel committee shall establish the personnel policies for the Executive Director of the Council employed pursuant to § 30-194.  The Executive Director shall report to the personnel committee regarding proposed projects and activities and shall seek the prior approval of the personnel committee for personnel expenditures related to such projects and activities.

GENERAL LAWS

27. After line 1338, introduced

insert

6. Have the authority, in the same manner as provided in § 59.1-308.2, to inquire into consumer complaints regarding violations of § 46.2-1231 or 46.2-1233.1 involving businesses engaged in towing vehicles or to refer the complaint directly to the appropriate local enforcement officials;

GENERAL LAWS

28. Line 1362, introduced, after such acts;

strike

and

GENERAL LAWS

29. Line 1364, introduced, after practice

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. [the period]

insert

;

5. Appoint and compensate qualified hearing officers from the list of hearing officers maintained by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia;

6. Promote creation of local commissions to aid in effectuating the policies of this article and to enter into cooperative worksharing or other agreements with federal agencies or local commissions, including the deferral of complaints of discrimination to federal agencies or local commissions;

7. Make studies and appoint advisory councils to effectuate the purposes and policies of the article and to make the results thereof available to the public;

8. Accept public grants or private gifts, bequests, or other payments, as appropriate; and

9. Furnish technical assistance upon request of persons subject to this article to further comply with the article or an order issued thereunder;

GENERAL LAWS

30. Line 1576, introduced, after 1.

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the remainder of line 1576 and all of lines 1577 and 1578

GENERAL LAWS

31. Line 1601, introduced, after 5.

strike

3.

insert

2.

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32. Line 1732, introduced, after 31,

strike

38,

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33. Line 1826, introduced

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all of lines 1826 through 1843

GENERAL LAWS

34. Line 1875, introduced, after landowners.

insert

In making appointments to the Board, the Governor shall take into account the geographic diversity of board membership as it relates to Virginia's forest resources.

GENERAL LAWS

35. Line 1877, introduced, after two years,

strike

and four

insert

three

GENERAL LAWS

36. Line 1877, introduced, after three years

insert

, and three members for a term of four years

GENERAL LAWS

37. Line 2134, introduced, after on the

insert

Tobacco

GENERAL LAWS

38. Line 2358, introduced

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all of line 2358

GENERAL LAWS

39. Line 2517, introduced, after consist of

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12

insert

15

GENERAL LAWS

40. Line 2519, introduced, after Pathology,

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three

insert

six

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41. Line 2521, introduced, after user

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and the other

insert

or

GENERAL LAWS

42. Line 3952, introduced

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all of lines 3952 through 4510

GENERAL LAWS

43. At the beginning of line 4908, introduced

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Association of Retarded Citizens

insert

Arc of Virginia

GENERAL LAWS

44. Line 7059, introduced, after chapter

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, as a public body corporate and as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth

GENERAL LAWS

45. Line 7135, introduced, after sufficiency.

insert

Rehabilitative case management shall not be provided to any person who is eligible for Medicaid targeted case management or other publicly-funded case management or Medicaid transition coordination.

GENERAL LAWS

46. Line 7138, introduced, after conditions

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the remainder of line 7138

GENERAL LAWS

47. At the beginning of line 7153, introduced

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promoting the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities

insert

the Department.

GENERAL LAWS

48. Line 7325, introduced, after Act as the

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single state agency under

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designated state unit on aging for the purposes of carrying out the requirements of

GENERAL LAWS

49. Line 7346, introduced, after or contract

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the remainder of line 7346 and through aging on line 7347

GENERAL LAWS

50. Line 7407, introduced, after thereof,

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shall

insert

may

GENERAL LAWS

51. Line 7408, introduced, after and supports.

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The

insert

If established, the

GENERAL LAWS

52. Line 7869, introduced, after for the service;

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and

GENERAL LAWS

53. Line 7872, introduced, after applied

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. [the period]

insert

; and

3. Services shall not be provided to people who are eligible for prevocational or supported employment services through a Medicaid home and community based waiver program.

GENERAL LAWS

54. Line 8118, introduced, after with

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schools for the deaf

insert

the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind

GENERAL LAWS

55. Line 8119, introduced, after practicable;

insert

and

GENERAL LAWS

56. Line 8123, introduced, after appropriate

strike

the remainder of line 8123, all of lines 8124 through 8126, and through article on line 8127

GENERAL LAWS

57. Line 9176, introduced, after 67. That

insert

effective July 1, 2013,

GENERAL LAWS

58. Line 9342, introduced

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all of lines 9342 through 9358

GENERAL LAWS

59. Line 9359, introduced, after That

strike

§ 2.2-720 and

GENERAL LAWS

60. Line 9366, introduced, after Advisory Board

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the remainder of line 9366 and through Commission on line 9367

GENERAL LAWS

61. Line 9368, introduced, after Board

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the remainder of line 9368 and through Commission on line 9369

GENERAL LAWS

62. Line 9425, introduced, after shall

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assure

insert

provide for

GENERAL LAWS

63. Line 9426, introduced, after recommendations

insert

at least annually

GENERAL LAWS

64. Line 9428, introduced

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all of lines 9428 through 9623

GENERAL LAWS

65. Line 9884, introduced, after health care professional

strike

and at least one member shall be a child care professional

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, one member shall be a representative of stand-alone licensed child care centers that meet the accountability standards of state recognized accreditation pursuant to § 22.1-19, and one member shall be a representative of religiously exempt child care centers

GENERAL LAWS

66. Line 9967, introduced, after adopt

strike

regulations

insert

or amend regulations, policies and procedures related to child day care

GENERAL LAWS

67. Line 9967, introduced, after Society

strike

the remainder of line 9967 and through programs on line 9968

insert

The Board shall adopt or amend regulations related to therapeutic recreation programs in collaboration with the Virginia Park and Recreation Society and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

GENERAL LAWS

68. Line 9978, introduced, after least

strike

one individual

insert

two individuals

GENERAL LAWS

69. Line 9979, introduced, after shall be

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a child care professional

insert

representatives of child care centers

GENERAL LAWS

70. Line 10720, introduced

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all of lines 10720 through 10742

GENERAL LAWS

71. Line 10787, introduced, after Programs;

strike

and

GENERAL LAWS

72. Line 10788, introduced, after 11.

insert

The Department of Corrections: Career and Technical Education Programs; and

12.

GENERAL LAWS

73. Line 10794, introduced, after Education

insert

Corrections, the Department of

GENERAL LAWS

74. Line 10892, introduced, after Juvenile

strike

Justice

insert

Justice's Education Division

GENERAL LAWS

75. Line 11127, introduced, after shall

strike

appoint

insert

employ

GENERAL LAWS

76. Line 11284, introduced, after 8. The

strike

Board

insert

Director

GENERAL LAWS

77. Line 11307, introduced

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all of lines 11307 and 11308

GENERAL LAWS

78. Line 11321, introduced, after Division of

strike

Correctional

GENERAL LAWS

79. Line 11337, introduced, after Division of

strike

Correctional

GENERAL LAWS

80. Line 11339, introduced, after Division of

strike

Correctional

GENERAL LAWS

81. Line 11340, introduced, after The

strike

correctional education division

insert

Division

GENERAL LAWS

82. Line 11343, introduced, after of the

strike

correctional education division

insert

Division

GENERAL LAWS

83. Line 11345, introduced, after of the

strike

correctional education division

insert

Division

GENERAL LAWS

84. Line 11551, introduced, after 115. That

strike

the remainder of line 11551 and all of lines 11552 through 12080

insert

to facilitate an effective consolidation and streamlining of transportation planning and policy making in Northern Virginia, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is directed to combine Northern Virginia transportation and planning agencies, including, but not limited to, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, or if not practical, combine these three into two. In addition, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority shall consider the advantages and disadvantages of including sub-regional Metropolitan Planning Organization functions as part of a consolidated transportation and planning agency. In developing these recommendations, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority will involve affected local governments, the Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of Highways, the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and, as appropriate, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration and all other stakeholders deemed necessary. The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is directed to address the complex legal and financial realities associated with various combinations to avoid unintended consequences and maximize the benefits of reform. This effort must also develop recommendations for addressing governance, membership, voting, geography and oversight. The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority shall provide specific recommendations to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Transportation by December 1, 2012, on the establishment of such a body.

GENERAL LAWS

85. Line 12081, introduced, after 116. That

strike

the remainder of line 12081 and all of lines 12082 through 12087

GENERAL LAWS

86. Line 12088, introduced, after § 2.2-4024,

strike

the remainder of line 12088 and all of lines 12089 and 12090

insert

9.1-102, 46.2-1206, 46.2-1217, and 59.1-198 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 46.2 sections numbered 46.2-116, 46.2-117, and 46.2-118 as follows:

GENERAL LAWS

87. Line 12146, introduced

strike

all of lines 12146 through 12162

insert

§ 9.1-102. Powers and duties of the Board and the Department.

The Department, under the direction of the Board, which shall be the policy-making body for carrying out the duties and powers hereunder, shall have the power and duty to:

1. Adopt regulations, pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), for the administration of this chapter including the authority to require the submission of reports and information by law-enforcement officers within the Commonwealth. Any proposed regulations concerning the privacy, confidentiality, and security of criminal justice information shall be submitted for review and comment to any board, commission, or committee or other body which may be established by the General Assembly to regulate the privacy, confidentiality, and security of information collected and maintained by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof;

2. Establish compulsory minimum training standards subsequent to employment as a law-enforcement officer in (i) permanent positions, and (ii) temporary or probationary status, and establish the time required for completion of such training;

3. Establish minimum training standards and qualifications for certification and recertification for law-enforcement officers serving as field training officers;

4. Establish compulsory minimum curriculum requirements for in-service and advanced courses and programs for schools, whether located in or outside the Commonwealth, which are operated for the specific purpose of training law-enforcement officers;

5. Establish (i) compulsory minimum training standards for law-enforcement officers who utilize radar or an electrical or microcomputer device to measure the speed of motor vehicles as provided in § 46.2-882 and establish the time required for completion of the training and (ii) compulsory minimum qualifications for certification and recertification of instructors who provide such training;

6. Establish compulsory training courses for law-enforcement officers in laws and procedures relating to entrapment, search and seizure, evidence, and techniques of report writing, which training shall be completed by law-enforcement officers who have not completed the compulsory training standards set out in subdivision 2, prior to assignment of any such officers to undercover investigation work. Failure to complete the training shall not, for that reason, constitute grounds to exclude otherwise properly admissible testimony or other evidence from such officer resulting from any undercover investigation;

7. Establish compulsory minimum entry-level, in-service and advanced training standards for those persons designated to provide courthouse and courtroom security pursuant to the provisions of § 53.1-120, and to establish the time required for completion of such training;

8. Establish compulsory minimum entry-level, in-service and advanced training standards for deputy sheriffs designated to serve process pursuant to the provisions of § 8.01-293, and establish the time required for the completion of such training;

9. Establish compulsory minimum entry-level, in-service, and advanced training standards for persons employed as deputy sheriffs and jail officers by local criminal justice agencies and for correctional officers employed by the Department of Corrections under the provisions of Title 53.1, and establish the time required for completion of such training;

10. Establish compulsory minimum training standards for all dispatchers employed by or in any local or state government agency, whose duties include the dispatching of law-enforcement personnel. Such training standards shall apply only to dispatchers hired on or after July 1, 1988;

11. Consult and cooperate with counties, municipalities, agencies of the Commonwealth, other state and federal governmental agencies, and with universities, colleges, community colleges, and other institutions, whether located in or outside the Commonwealth, concerning the development of police training schools and programs or courses of instruction;

12. Approve institutions, curricula and facilities, whether located in or outside the Commonwealth, for school operation for the specific purpose of training law-enforcement officers; but this shall not prevent the holding of any such school whether approved or not;

13. Establish and maintain police training programs through such agencies and institutions as the Board deems appropriate;

14. Establish compulsory minimum qualifications of certification and recertification for instructors in criminal justice training schools approved by the Department;

15. Conduct and stimulate research by public and private agencies which shall be designed to improve police administration and law enforcement;

16. Make recommendations concerning any matter within its purview pursuant to this chapter;

17. Coordinate its activities with those of any interstate system for the exchange of criminal history record information, nominate one or more of its members to serve upon the council or committee of any such system, and participate when and as deemed appropriate in any such system's activities and programs;

18. Conduct inquiries and investigations it deems appropriate to carry out its functions under this chapter and, in conducting such inquiries and investigations, may require any criminal justice agency to submit information, reports, and statistical data with respect to its policy and operation of information systems or with respect to its collection, storage, dissemination, and usage of criminal history record information and correctional status information, and such criminal justice agencies shall submit such information, reports, and data as are reasonably required;

19. Conduct audits as required by § 9.1-131;

20. Conduct a continuing study and review of questions of individual privacy and confidentiality of criminal history record information and correctional status information;

21. Advise criminal justice agencies and initiate educational programs for such agencies with respect to matters of privacy, confidentiality, and security as they pertain to criminal history record information and correctional status information;

22. Maintain a liaison with any board, commission, committee, or other body which may be established by law, executive order, or resolution to regulate the privacy and security of information collected by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof;

23. Adopt regulations establishing guidelines and standards for the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal history record information and correctional status information, and the privacy, confidentiality, and security thereof necessary to implement state and federal statutes, regulations, and court orders;

24. Operate a statewide criminal justice research center, which shall maintain an integrated criminal justice information system, produce reports, provide technical assistance to state and local criminal justice data system users, and provide analysis and interpretation of criminal justice statistical information;

25. Develop a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan for strengthening and improving law enforcement and the administration of criminal justice throughout the Commonwealth, and periodically update that plan;

26. Cooperate with, and advise and assist, all agencies, departments, boards and institutions of the Commonwealth, and units of general local government, or combinations thereof, including planning district commissions, in planning, developing, and administering programs, projects, comprehensive plans, and other activities for improving law enforcement and the administration of criminal justice throughout the Commonwealth, including allocating and subgranting funds for these purposes;

27. Define, develop, organize, encourage, conduct, coordinate, and administer programs, projects and activities for the Commonwealth and units of general local government, or combinations thereof, in the Commonwealth, designed to strengthen and improve law enforcement and the administration of criminal justice at every level throughout the Commonwealth;

28. Review and evaluate programs, projects, and activities, and recommend, where necessary, revisions or alterations to such programs, projects, and activities for the purpose of improving law enforcement and the administration of criminal justice;

29. Coordinate the activities and projects of the state departments, agencies, and boards of the Commonwealth and of the units of general local government, or combination thereof, including planning district commissions, relating to the preparation, adoption, administration, and implementation of comprehensive plans to strengthen and improve law enforcement and the administration of criminal justice;

30. Do all things necessary on behalf of the Commonwealth and its units of general local government, to determine and secure benefits available under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-351, 82 Stat. 197), as amended, and under any other federal acts and programs for strengthening and improving law enforcement, the administration of criminal justice, and delinquency prevention and control;

31. Receive, administer, and expend all funds and other assistance available to the Board and the Department for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended;

32. Apply for and accept grants from the United States government or any other source in carrying out the purposes of this chapter and accept any and all donations both real and personal, and grants of money from any governmental unit or public agency, or from any institution, person, firm or corporation, and may receive, utilize and dispose of the same. Any arrangements pursuant to this section shall be detailed in the annual report of the Board. Such report shall include the identity of the donor, the nature of the transaction, and the conditions, if any. Any moneys received pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the state treasury to the account of the Department. To these ends, the Board shall have the power to comply with conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary;

33. Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and execution of its powers under this chapter, including but not limited to, contracts with the United States, units of general local government or combinations thereof, in Virginia or other states, and with agencies and departments of the Commonwealth;

34. Adopt and administer reasonable regulations for the planning and implementation of programs and activities and for the allocation, expenditure and subgranting of funds available to the Commonwealth and to units of general local government, and for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and the powers and duties set forth herein;

35. Certify and decertify law-enforcement officers in accordance with §§ 15.2-1706 and 15.2-1707;

36. Establish training standards and publish a model policy for law-enforcement personnel in the handling of family abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking cases, including standards for determining the predominant physical aggressor in accordance with § 19.2-81.3. The Department shall provide technical support and assistance to law-enforcement agencies in carrying out the requirements set forth in § 9.1-1301 and shall by December 1, 2009, submit a report on the status of implementation of these requirements to the chairmen of the House and Senate Courts of Justice Committees;

37. Establish training standards and publish a model policy for law-enforcement personnel in communicating with and facilitating the safe return of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease;

38. Establish compulsory training standards for basic training and the recertification of law-enforcement officers to ensure sensitivity to and awareness of cultural diversity and the potential for biased policing;

39. Review and evaluate community-policing programs in the Commonwealth, and recommend where necessary statewide operating procedures, guidelines, and standards which strengthen and improve such programs, including sensitivity to and awareness of cultural diversity and the potential for biased policing;

40. Publish and disseminate a model policy or guideline that may be used by state and local agencies to ensure that law-enforcement personnel are sensitive to and aware of cultural diversity and the potential for biased policing;

41. [Expired.]

42. Establish a Virginia Law-Enforcement Accreditation Center. The Center may, in cooperation with Virginia law-enforcement agencies, provide technical assistance and administrative support, including staffing, for the establishment of voluntary state law-enforcement accreditation standards. The Center may provide accreditation assistance and training, resource material, and research into methods and procedures that will assist the Virginia law-enforcement community efforts to obtain Virginia accreditation status;

43. Promote community policing philosophy and practice throughout the Commonwealth by providing community policing training and technical assistance statewide to all law-enforcement agencies, community groups, public and private organizations and citizens; developing and distributing innovative policing curricula and training tools on general community policing philosophy and practice and contemporary critical issues facing Virginia communities; serving as a consultant to Virginia organizations with specific community policing needs; facilitating continued development and implementation of community policing programs statewide through discussion forums for community policing leaders, development of law-enforcement instructors; promoting a statewide community policing initiative; and serving as a statewide information source on the subject of community policing including, but not limited to periodic newsletters, a website and an accessible lending library;

44. Establish, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Virginia State Crime Commission, compulsory minimum standards for employment and job-entry and in-service training curricula and certification requirements for school security officers, which training and certification shall be administered by the Virginia Center for School Safety pursuant to § 9.1-184. Such training standards shall include, but shall not be limited to, the role and responsibility of school security officers, relevant state and federal laws, school and personal liability issues, security awareness in the school environment, mediation and conflict resolution, disaster and emergency response, and student behavioral dynamics. The Department shall establish an advisory committee consisting of local school board representatives, principals, superintendents, and school security personnel to assist in the development of these standards and certification requirements;

45. Establish training standards and publish a model policy and protocols for local and regional sexual assault response teams;

46. License and regulate property bail bondsmen and surety bail bondsmen in accordance with Article 11 (§ 9.1-185 et seq.);

47. License and regulate bail enforcement agents in accordance with Article 12 (§ 9.1-186 et seq.);

48. In conjunction with the Virginia State Police and the State Compensation Board, advise criminal justice agencies regarding the investigation, registration, and dissemination of information requirements as they pertain to the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act (§ 9.1-900 et seq.);

49. Establish minimum standards for (i) employment, (ii) job-entry and in-service training curricula, and (iii) certification requirements for campus security officers. Such training standards shall include, but not be limited to, the role and responsibility of campus security officers, relevant state and federal laws, school and personal liability issues, security awareness in the campus environment, and disaster and emergency response. The Department shall provide technical support and assistance to campus police departments and campus security departments on the establishment and implementation of policies and procedures, including but not limited to: the management of such departments, investigatory procedures, judicial referrals, the establishment and management of databases for campus safety and security information sharing, and development of uniform record keeping for disciplinary records and statistics, such as campus crime logs, judicial referrals and Clery Act statistics. The Department shall establish an advisory committee consisting of college administrators, college police chiefs, college security department chiefs, and local law-enforcement officials to assist in the development of the standards and certification requirements and training pursuant to this subdivision;

50. Establish compulsory training standards and publish a model policy for law-enforcement personnel regarding death notification;

51. Assess and report, in accordance with § 9.1-190, the crisis intervention team programs established pursuant to § 9.1-187;

52. Establish, publish, and disseminate a model policy or guideline for law-enforcement personnel for questioning individuals suspected of driving while intoxicated concerning the physical location of that individual's last consumption of an alcoholic beverage and for communicating that information to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board;

53. Establish training standards and publish a model policy for law-enforcement personnel assigned to vehicle patrol duties that embody current best practices for pursuits and for responding to emergency calls;

54. Establish training standards and publish a model policy for law-enforcement personnel involved in criminal investigations that embody current best practices for conducting photographic and live lineups;

55. In conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, advise law-enforcement agencies and attorneys for the Commonwealth regarding the identification, investigation, and prosecution of human trafficking offenses using the common law and existing criminal statutes in the Code of Virginia; and

56. Register towing and recovery operators in accordance with § 46.2-116 and carry out the provisions of §§ 46.2-117 and 46.2-118; and

57. Perform such other acts as may be necessary or convenient for the effective performance of its duties.

§ 46.2-116. Registration with Department of Criminal Justice Services required for towing and recovery operators; penalty; recovery of costs.

A. As used in this section and §§ 46.2-117 and 46.2-118:

 "Department" means the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

"Towing and recovery operator" means any person providing or offering to provide services involving the use of a tow truck and services incidental to use of a tow truck  Towing and recovery operator shall not include a franchised motor vehicle dealer as defined in  46.2-1500 using a tow truck owned by a dealer when transporting a vehicle to or from a repair facility owned by the dealer when the dealer does not receive compensation from the vehicle owner for towing of the vehicle or when transporting a vehicle in which the dealer has an ownership or security interest.

B. On and after January 1, 2013, no towing and recovery operator shall drive any tow truck as defined in § 46.2-100 without having obtained a registration certificate from the Department, provided that this requirement shall not apply to any holder of a tow truck driver authorization document issued pursuant to former § 46.2-2814, until the expiration date of such document. Every applicant for an initial registration or renewal of registration pursuant to this section shall submit his registration application, fingerprints, and personal descriptive information to the Department and a nonrefundable application fee of $100. The Department shall forward the personal descriptive information along with the applicant's fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining a national criminal history record check regarding such applicant. The cost of the fingerprinting and criminal history records check shall be paid by the applicant.

The Central Criminal Records Exchange, upon receipt of an applicant's record or notification that no record exists, shall make a report to the Department. If an applicant is denied registration as a towing and recovery operator because of the information appearing in his criminal history record, the Department shall notify the applicant that information obtained from the Central Criminal Records Exchange contributed to such denial. The information shall not be disseminated except as provided in this section.

C. No registration certificate shall be issued to any person who (i) is required to register as a sex offender as provided in § 9.1-901 or in a substantially similar law of any other state, the United States, or any foreign jurisdiction; (ii) has been convicted of a violent crime as defined in subsection C of § 17.1-805; or (iii) has been convicted of any crime involving the driving of a tow truck, including drug or alcohol offenses, but not traffic infraction convictions. Any person registered pursuant to this section shall report to the Department within 10 days of conviction any convictions for felonies or misdemeanors that occur while he is registered with the Department.

D. Any towing and recovery operator failing to register with the Department are required by this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. A towing and recovery operator registered with the Department shall have such registration certificate in his possession whenever driving a tow truck on the highways.

E. Registration certificates issued by the Department pursuant to this section shall be valid for a period not to exceed 24 months, unless revoked or suspended by the Department in accordance with § 46.2-117.

F. The Division of Consumer Counsel of the Office of the Attorney General may collect all fees and costs incurred in the conviction a towing and recovery operator that has violated any part subsection B of § 46.2-117 or § 46.2-1231 or 46.2-1233.1.

§ 46.2-117. Revocation and suspension of registration certificate of towing and recovery operator.

A. The Department, upon receipt of written notice from the Division of Consumer Counsel of the Office of the Attorney General that a towing and recovery operator has been convicted of a violation of any part of subsection B of this section or § 46.2-1231 or 46.2-1233.1, may, after notice and hearing, revoke or suspend the registration certificate of a towing and recovery operator. 

B. In addition, the Department shall, after notice and hearing, revoke or suspend the registration certificate of a towing and recovery operator for:

1. Conviction of any crime for which a person must register as a sex offender as provided in § 9.1-901 or in a substantially similar law of any other state, the United States, or any foreign jurisdiction;

2. Conviction of a violent crime as defined in subsection C of § 17.1-805;

3. Conviction of any crime involving the driving of a tow truck, including drug or alcohol offenses, but not traffic infraction convictions; or

4. Failure to report to the Department of Criminal Justice Services within 10 days any convictions for felonies or misdemeanors that occur while he is registered as provided in § 46.2-116.

C. In accordance with subsection A, the Department may revoke or suspend the registration certificate of a towing and recovery operatory for a violation of any of the following:

a. Fraud or deceit in the offering or delivering of towing and recovery services;

b. Conducting his business or offering services in such a manner as to endanger the health and welfare of the public;

c. Use of alcohol or drugs to the extent such use renders him unsafe to provide towing and recovery services;

d. Neglecting to maintain on record at the towing and recovery operator's principal office a list of all drivers employed by the towing and recovery operator;

e. Obtaining any fee by fraud or misrepresentation;

f. Advertising that directly or indirectly deceives, misleads, or defrauds the public;

g. Advertising or offering services under a name other than one's own name as set forth on the operator's license;

h. Failure of the towing and recovery operator to accept for payment cash, insurance company check, certified check, money order, at least one of two commonly used, or nationally recognized credit cards. Except those registered towing and recovery operators who have an annual gross income of less than $10,000 derived from the performance of towing and recovery services shall not be required to accept credit cards, other than when providing police-requested towing as defined in § 46.2-1217, but shall be required to accept personal checks;

i. Failure to display at the towing and recovery  operator's principal office in a conspicuous place a listing of all towing, recovery, and processing fees for vehicles;

j. Failure to have readily available, at the customer's request, the maximum fees normally charged by the towing and recovery operator for basic services for towing and initial hookup of vehicles;

k. Knowingly charging excessive fees for towing, storage, or administrative services or charging fees for services not rendered;

l. Failure to maintain all towing records, which shall include itemized fees, for a period of one year from the date of service;

m. Willfully invoicing for payment any services not stipulated or otherwise incorporated in a contract for services rendered between the licensed operator and any locality or political subdivision of the Commonwealth;

n. Employing a driver required to register as a sex offender as provided in § 9.1-901;

o. Removing or towing a trespassing vehicle, as provided in § 46.2-1231, or a vehicle towed or removed at the request of a law-enforcement officer to any location outside the Commonwealth;

p. To refuse at the towing and recovery operator's place of business to make change, up to $100, for the owner of the vehicle towed without the owner's consent if the owner pays in cash for charges for towing and storage of the vehicle;

q. Violating, assisting, inducing, or cooperating with others in violating any provisions of law related to the offering or delivery of towing and recovery services; or

r. Failure to provide the owner of a stolen vehicle written notice of his right under law to be reimbursed for towing and storage of his vehicle out of the state treasury from the appropriation for criminal charges as required in § 46.2-1209.

§ 46.2-118. Complaints against towing and recovery operators.

A. Any consumer aggrieved by the actions of a towing and recovery operator for any cause enumerated under § 46.2-117, may file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Counsel of the Office of the Attorney General for appropriate action in accordance with § 2.2-517.

B. For the purposes of this section, "consumer" means a person who (i) has vested ownership, dominion, or title to the vehicle; (ii) is the authorized agent of the owner as defined in clause (i); or (iii) is an employee, agent, or representative of an insurance company representing any party involved in a collision that resulted in a police-requested tow who represents in writing that the insurance company has obtained the oral or written consent of the title owner or his agent or the lessee of the vehicle to obtain possession of the vehicle.  

§ 46.2-1206. Surrender of certificate of title, etc., where motor vehicle acquired for demolition; records to be kept by demolisher or scrap metal processor.

No demolisher or scrap metal processor who purchases or otherwise acquires a motor vehicle for wrecking, dismantling, or demolition shall be required to obtain a certificate of title for the motor vehicle in his own name. After the motor vehicle has been demolished, processed, or changed so that it physically is no longer a motor vehicle, the demolisher or scrap metal processor shall surrender to the Department for cancellation the certificate of title, Vehicle Removal Certificate, properly executed vehicle disposition history, or sales receipt from a foreign jurisdiction for the vehicle. The Department shall issue the appropriate forms for the surrender of sales receipts, certificates of title, vehicle disposition histories, and vehicle removal certificates.

Demolishers and scrap metal processors shall keep accurate and complete records, in accordance with § 46.2-1608, of all motor vehicles purchased or received by them in the course of their business. Demolishers and scrap metal processors shall also collect and verify:

1. The towing company's name and, if applicable, the license number issued to the towing company by the Virginia Board for Towing and Recovery Operators,;

2. One of the ownership or possession documents set out in this section following verification of its accuracy, and;

3. The driver's license of the person delivering the motor vehicle.

If the delivering vehicle does not possess a; and

4. The license number issued by the Virginia Board for Towing and Recovery Operators, the license plate number of the vehicle that delivered the motor vehicle or scrap shall also be collected and maintained.

In addition, a photocopy or electronic copy of the appropriate ownership document or a Vehicle Removal Certificate presented by the customer shall be maintained. Ownership documents shall consist of either a motor vehicle title or a sales receipt from a foreign jurisdiction or a vehicle disposition history. These records shall be maintained in a permanent ledger in a manner acceptable to the Department at the place of business or at another readily accessible and secure location within the Commonwealth for at least five years. The personal identifying information contained within these records shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure through the ultimate destruction of the information. Disclosure of personal identifying information by anyone other than the Department is subject to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721 et seq.).

If requested by a law-enforcement officer, a licensee shall make available, during regular business hours, a report of all the purchases of motor vehicles. Each report shall include the information set out in this chapter and be available electronically or in an agreed-upon format. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or who falsifies any of the information required to be maintained by this article shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense. Any licensee or scrap metal processor who is found guilty of second or subsequent violations shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Department shall also assess a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses. Those penalties shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department.

If the vehicle identification number has been altered, is missing, or appears to have been otherwise tampered with, the demolisher or scrap metal processor shall take no further action with regard to the vehicle except to safeguard it in its then-existing condition and shall promptly notify the Department. The Department shall, after an investigation has been made, notify the demolisher or scrap metal processor whether the motor vehicle can be freed from this limitation. In no event shall the motor vehicle be disassembled, demolished, processed, or otherwise modified or removed prior to authorization by the Department. If the vehicle is a motorcycle, the demolisher or scrap metal processor shall cause to be noted on the title or salvage certificate, certifying on the face of the document, in addition to the above requirements, the frame number of the motorcycle and motor number, if available.

§ 46.2-1217. Local governing body may regulate certain towing.

The governing body of any county, city, or town by ordinance may regulate services rendered pursuant to police towing requests by any business engaged in the towing or storage of unattended, abandoned, or immobile vehicles. The ordinance may include delineation of service areas for towing services, the limitation of the number of persons engaged in towing services in any area, including the creation of one or more exclusive service areas, and the specification of equipment to be used for providing towing service. The governing body of any county, city, or town may contract for services rendered pursuant to a police towing request with one or more businesses engaged in the towing or storage of unattended, abandoned, or immobile vehicles. The contract may specify the fees or charges to be paid by the owner or operator of a towed vehicle to the person undertaking its towing or storage and may prescribe the geographical area to be served by each person providing towing services. The county, city, or town may establish criteria for eligibility of persons to enter into towing services contracts and, in its discretion, may itself provide exclusive towing and storage service for police-requested towing of unattended, abandoned, or immobile vehicles. Such criteria shall, for drivers of tow trucks and towing and recovery operators, be no less restrictive than those established pursuant to Chapter 28 (§ 46.2-2800 et seq.) of this title and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

Prior to adopting an ordinance or entering into a contract pursuant to this section, the local governing body shall appoint an advisory board to advise the governing body with regard to the appropriate provisions of the ordinance or terms of the contract. The advisory board shall include representatives of local law-enforcement agencies, towing and recovery operators, and the general public.

"Police-requested towing" or "police towing request," as used in this section, includes all requests made by a law-enforcement officer of the county, city, or town or by a State Police officer within the county, city, or town pursuant to this article or Article 2 (§ 46.2-1209 et seq.) of this chapter and towing requests made by a law-enforcement officer at the request of the owner or operator of an unattended, abandoned, or immobile vehicle, when no specific service provider is requested by such owner or operator.

If an unattended, abandoned, or immobile vehicle is located so as to impede the free flow of traffic on a highway declared by resolution of the Commonwealth Transportation Board to be a portion of the interstate highway system and a law-enforcement officer determines, in his discretion, that the business or businesses authorized to undertake the towing or storage of the vehicle pursuant to an ordinance or contract adopted pursuant to this section cannot respond in a timely manner, the law-enforcement officer may request towing or storage service from a towing or storage business other than those authorized by such ordinance or contract.

If an unattended, abandoned, or immobile vehicle is towed as the result of a police-towing request, the owner or person having control of the business or property to which the vehicle is towed shall allow the owner of the vehicle or any other towing and recovery business, upon presentation of a written request therefor from the owner of the vehicle, to have access to the vehicle for the purpose of inspecting or towing the vehicle to another location for the purpose of repair, storage, or disposal. For the purpose of this section, "owner of the vehicle" means a person who (i) has vested ownership, dominion, or title to the vehicle; (ii) is the authorized agent of the owner as defined in clause (i); or (iii) is an employee, agent, or representative of an insurance company representing any party involved in a collision that resulted in a police-requested tow who represents in writing that the insurance company has obtained the oral or written consent of the title owner or his agent or the lessee of the vehicle to obtain possession of the vehicle. It shall be unlawful for any towing and recovery business to refuse to release a vehicle to the owner as defined in this section upon tender of full payment for all lawful charges by cash, insurance company check, certified check, money order, at least one of two commonly used, nationally recognized credit cards, or additional methods of payment approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Thereafter, if a towing and recovery business refuses to release the vehicle, future charges related to storage or handling of the vehicle by such towing and recovery business shall be suspended and no longer payable.

The vehicle owner who has vested ownership, dominion, or title to the vehicle shall indemnify and hold harmless the towing and recovery operator from any and all liability for releasing the vehicle to any vehicle owner as defined in this section for inspecting or towing the vehicle to another location for the purpose of repair, storage, or disposal.

GENERAL LAWS

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all of lines 12212 through 12502

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§ 59.1-198. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

"Business opportunity" means the sale of any products, equipment, supplies or services which are sold to an individual for the purpose of enabling such individual to start a business to be operated out of his residence, but does not include a business opportunity which is subject to the Business Opportunity Sales Act, Chapter 21 (§ 59.1-262 et seq.) of this title.

"Children's product" means a consumer product designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger. In determining whether a consumer product is primarily intended for a child 12 years of age or younger, the following factors shall be considered:

1. A statement by a manufacturer about the intended use of such product, including a label on such product if such statement is reasonable;

2. Whether the product is represented in its packaging, display, promotion, or advertising as appropriate for use by children 12 years of age or younger;

3. Whether the product is commonly recognized by consumers as being intended for use by a child 12 years of age or younger; and

4. The Age Determination Guidelines issued by the staff of the Consumer Products Safety Commission in September 2002, and any successor to such guidelines.

"Consumer transaction" means:

1. The advertisement, sale, lease, license or offering for sale, lease or license, of goods or services to be used primarily for personal, family or household purposes;

2. Transactions involving the advertisement, offer or sale to an individual of a business opportunity that requires both his expenditure of money or property and his personal services on a continuing basis and in which he has not been previously engaged;

3. Transactions involving the advertisement, offer or sale to an individual of goods or services relating to the individual's finding or obtaining employment;

4. A layaway agreement, whereby part or all of the price of goods is payable in one or more payments subsequent to the making of the layaway agreement and the supplier retains possession of the goods and bears the risk of their loss or damage until the goods are paid in full according to the layaway agreement;

5. Transactions involving the advertisement, sale, lease, or license, or the offering for sale, lease or license, of goods or services to a church or other religious body.; and

6. Transactions involving a towing and recovery operator as defined in § 46.2-116 for any cause enumerated in § 46.2-117.

"Cure offer" means a written offer of one or more things of value, including but not limited to the payment of money, that is made by a supplier and that is delivered to a person claiming to have suffered a loss as a result of a consumer transaction or to the attorney for such person. A cure offer shall be reasonably calculated to remedy a loss claimed by the person and it shall include a minimum additional amount equaling 10 percent of the value of the cure offer or $500, whichever is greater, as compensation for inconvenience, any attorney's or other fees, expenses, or other costs of any kind that such person may incur in relation to such loss; provided, however that the minimum additional amount need not exceed $4,000.

"Defective drywall" means drywall, or similar building material composed of dried gypsum-based plaster, that (i) as a result of containing the same or greater levels of strontium sulfide that has been found in drywall manufactured in the People's Republic of China and imported into the United States between 2004 and 2007 is capable, when exposed to heat, humidity, or both, of releasing sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, or other sulfur compounds into the air or (ii) has been designated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as a product with a product defect that constitutes a substantial product hazard within the meaning of § 15(a)(2) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. § 2064(a)(2)).

"Goods" means all real, personal or mixed property, tangible or intangible. For purposes of this chapter, intangible property includes but shall not be limited to "computer information" and "informational rights" in computer information as defined in § 59.1-501.2.

"Person" means any natural person, corporation, trust, partnership, association and any other legal entity.

"Services" includes but shall not be limited to (i) work performed in the business or occupation of the supplier, (ii) work performed for the supplier by an agent whose charges or costs for such work are transferred by the supplier to the consumer or purchaser as an element of the consumer transaction, or (iii) the subject of an "access contract" as defined in § 59.1-501.2.

"Supplier" means a seller, lessor or licensor who advertises, solicits or engages in consumer transactions, or a manufacturer, distributor or licensor who advertises and sells, leases or licenses goods or services to be resold, leased or sublicensed by other persons in consumer transactions.

119. That Chapter 28 (§§ 46.2-2800 through 46.2-2828) of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia is repealed.

120. That any regulations adopted by the Board of Towing and Recovery Operators being abolished by this act that are in effect before July 1, 2012, are hereby repealed as of that date. The Registrar of Regulations shall take appropriate administrative action to effect the repeal of the regulations in the Virginia Administrative Code.

121. That the Board of Towing and Recovery Operators shall pay off its treasury notes and pay off or satisfy all of its other financial obligations prior to July 1, 2012.

122. That the provisions of the 118th through the 121st enactments of this act shall become effective on January 1, 2013.*

GENERAL LAWS

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The mission of the Virginia War Memorial shall be to honor patriotic Virginians who rendered faithful service and sacrifice in the cause of freedom and liberty for the Commonwealth and the nation in time of war, honor all of Virginia's veterans, preserve their history, educate the public, and inspire patriotism in all Virginians.

GENERAL LAWS

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the remainder of line 12612, all of line 12613, and through war on line 12614

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supporting the Virginia War Memorial

GENERAL LAWS

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the remainder of line 12643, all of line 12644, and through Memorial on line 12645

GENERAL LAWS

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The Board shall meet at least four times a year

GENERAL LAWS

93. Line 12675, introduced, after result of

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the Persian Gulf Conflict

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military operations against terrorism or in any armed conflict after December 6, 1941

DEL. LANDES

1. Line 4, introduced, Title, after 2.2-1111,

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2.2-1117, 2.2-1118,

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2. Line 8, introduced, Title, after 2.2-4343,

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2.2-4344, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective,

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3. Line 14, introduced, Title, after 15.2-1604,

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15.2-1805,

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4. Line 15, introduced, Title, after 22.1-214,

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22.1-217,

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5. Line 16, introduced, Title, after 217.01,

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22.1-253.13:5,

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6. Line 21, introduced, Title, after 46.2-1217,

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51.1-124.3,

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7. Line 22, introduced, Title, after 51.5-1,

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51.5-2, 51.5-5.01, 51.5-9,

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8. Line 26, introduced, Title, after 58.1-439.11,

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58.1-609.1,

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9. Line 26, introduced, Title, after 58.1-2259,

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58.1-3703, 58.1-3840,

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61.  That §§ 2.2-212, 2.2-214, 2.2-435.8, 2.2-1117, 2.2-1118, 2.2-1204, 2.2-1507, 2.2-2001.1, 2.2-2411, 2.2-2528, 2.2-2664, 2.2-3401, 2.2-3402, 2.2-3705.5, 2.2-4002, 2.2-4344 as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-4345, 2.2-5300, 2.2-5510, 3.2-6588, 8.01-44.3, 8.01-66.9, 8.01-384.1, 15.2-1535, 15.2-1805, 15.2-2159, 19.2-164.1, 19.2-389, 22.1-214, 22.1-217, 22.1-217.01, 22.1-253.13:5, 22.1-346.2, 30-326, 32.1-23.1, 32.1-45.1, 32.1-64.1, 32.1-102.1, 32.1-116.1, 32.1-127.1:04, 32.1-283.5, 32.1-330.3, 37.2-304, 37.2-312.1, 37.2-504, 37.2-505, 37.2-605, 37.2-802, 37.2-1000, 37.2-1010, 37.2-1015, 46.2-221, 46.2-411, 51.1-124.3, 51.5-1, 51.5-2, 51.5-5.01, 51.5-9, 51.5-31, 51.5-33, 51.5-39.2, 51.5-39.7, 51.5-39.10, 51.5-41, 51.5-44, 57-60, 58.1-344.3, 58.1-439.11, 58.1-609.1, 58.1-662, 58.1-2259, 58.1-3703, 58.1-3840, 63.2-100, 63.2-313, 63.2-315, 63.2-401, 63.2-405, 63.2-1600, 63.2-1601, 63.2-1602, 63.2-1605, and 63.2-1606 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 9 of Title 51.5 a section numbered 51.5-39.13 and in Title 51.5 a chapter numbered 14, containing articles numbered 1 through 15, consisting of sections numbered 51.5-116 through 51.5-234, as follows:

§ 2.2-212. Position established; agencies for which responsible; additional powers.

The position of Secretary of Health and Human Resources (the Secretary) is created. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall be responsible to the Governor for the following agencies: Department of Health, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Department of Health Professions, Department for the Aging, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and  Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Social Services, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Child Day-Care Council, Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, the Office of Comprehensive Services for Youth and At-Risk Youth and Families, and the Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority. The Governor may, by executive order, assign any other state executive agency to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, or reassign any agency listed above to another Secretary.

Unless the Governor expressly reserves such power to himself, the Secretary shall (i) serve as the lead Secretary for the coordination and implementation of the long-term care policies of the Commonwealth and for the blueprint for livable communities 2025 throughout the Commonwealth, working with the Secretaries of Transportation, Commerce and Trade, and Education, and the Commissioner of Insurance, to facilitate interagency service development and implementation, communication and cooperation, (ii) serve as the lead Secretary for the Comprehensive Services Act for At-Risk Youth and Families, working with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Public Safety to facilitate interagency service development and implementation, communication and cooperation, and (iii) coordinate the disease prevention activities of agencies in the Secretariat to ensure efficient, effective delivery of health related services and financing.

§ 2.2-214. Responsibility of certain agencies within the Secretariat; review of regulations.

The Boards of Health, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Social Services, and Medical Assistance Services and the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall review their regulations and policies related to service delivery in order to ascertain and eliminate any discrimination against individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

§ 2.2-435.8. Workforce program evaluations; sharing of certain data.

A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the agencies specified in subsection D may share data from within their respective databases solely to (i) provide the workforce program evaluation and policy analysis required by subdivision A 8 of § 2.2-435.7 and clause (i) of subdivision A 10 of § 2.2-435.7 and (ii) conduct education program evaluations that require employment outcomes data to meet state and federal reporting requirements.

B. Data shared pursuant to subsection A shall not include any personal identifying information, shall be encrypted, and shall be transmitted to the Governor or his designee. Upon receipt of such data, the Governor or his designee shall re-encrypt the data to prevent any participating agency from connecting shared data sets with existing agency files. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Identifying information" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-186.3, and

2. "Encrypted" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-186.6.

C. The Governor or his designee and all agencies authorized under this section shall destroy or erase all shared data upon completion of all required evaluations and analyses. The Governor or his designee may retain a third-party entity to assist with the evaluation and analysis.

D. The databases from the following agencies relating to the specific programs identified in this subsection may be shared solely to achieve the purposes specified in subsection A:

1. Virginia Employment Commission: Unemployment Insurance, Job Service, Trade Act, and Veterans Employment Training Programs;

2. Virginia Community College System: Postsecondary Career and Technical Education, Workforce Investment Act Adult, Youth and Dislocated Worker Programs;

3. Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services: Vocational Rehabilitation and Senior Community Services Employment Program;

4. Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired: Vocational Rehabilitation;

5. 4. Department of Education: Adult Education and Family Literacy, Special Education, and Career and Technical Education;

6. Department for the Aging: Senior Community Services Employment Program;

7. 5. Department of Labor and Industry: Apprenticeship;

8. 6. Department of Social Services: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Virginia Initiative for Employment Not Welfare;

9. 7. Department of Business Assistance: Virginia Jobs Investment Program;

10. 8. Department of Correctional Education: Career and Technical Education Programs;

11. 9. Department of Juvenile Justice: Youth Industries and Institutional Work Programs; and

12. 10. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

§ 2.2-1117. Purchases from Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services; violation.

Unless exempted by the Division, all such services, articles and commodities as (i) are required for purchase by the Division or by any person authorized to make purchases on behalf of the Commonwealth and its departments, agencies and institutions; (ii) are performed or produced by persons, or in schools or workshops, under the supervision of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services; (iii) are available for sale by such Department; and (iv) conform to the standards established by the Division shall be purchased from such Department at the fair market price without competitive procurement. When convenience or emergency requires it the Commissioner of the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services may, upon request of the purchasing officer, release the purchasing officer from the obligations of this section. Any purchasing officer convicted of a violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

§ 2.2-1118. Purchases from nonprofit sheltered workshops of Virginia serving the handicapped.

A. The Division shall publish annually a list of materials, supplies, services and equipment which, in the opinion of the Division, would be beneficial to the Commonwealth to procure from a sheltered workshop. The list shall exclude items currently produced by schools or workshops under the supervision of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services or by inmates confined in state correctional institutions.

B. Any item or service included on the list required by subsection A may be purchased by the Division from nonprofit sheltered workshops serving the handicapped without competitive procurement, if the Division is satisfied that the items and services (i) can be purchased within ten percent of their fair market value, (ii) will be of acceptable quality, and (iii) can be produced in sufficient quantities within the time required.

C. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Division from amending the list required under subsection A by adding categories to the list after it has been published.

§ 2.2-1204. Health insurance program for employees of local governments, local officers, teachers, etc.; definitions.

A. The Department shall establish a plan or plans, hereinafter "plan" or "plans," subject to the approval of the Governor, for providing health insurance coverage for employees of local governments, local officers, teachers, employees of area agencies on aging, and retirees, and the dependents of such employees, officers, teachers, employees of area agencies on aging, and retirees. The plan or plans shall be rated separately from the plan established pursuant to § 2.2-2818 to provide health and related insurance coverage for state employees. Participation in such insurance plan or plans shall be (i) voluntary, (ii) approved by the participant's respective governing body, by the local school board in the case of teachers, or by the governing body of an area agency on aging in the case of its employees, and (iii) subject to regulations adopted by the Department. In addition, at the option of a governing body, school board, or area agency on aging that has elected to participate in the health insurance plan or plans offered by the Department, the governing body, school board, or area agency on aging may elect to participate in the long-term care or other benefit program that the Department may make available to the governing body, school board, or area agency on aging.

B. The plan established by the Department shall satisfy the requirements of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.), shall consist of a flexible benefits structure that permits the creation of multiple plans of benefits and may provide for separate rating groups based upon criteria established by the Department. The Department shall adopt regulations regarding the establishment of such a plan or plans, including, but not limited to, requirements for eligibility, participation, access and egress, mandatory employer contributions and financial reserves, and the administration of the plan or plans. The Department may engage the services of other professional advisors and vendors as necessary for the prudent administration of the plan or plans. The assets of the plan or plans, together with all appropriations, premiums and other payments, shall be deposited in the employee health insurance fund, from which payments for claims, premiums, cost containment programs and administrative expenses shall be withdrawn from time to time. The assets of the fund shall be held for the sole benefit of the employee health insurance fund. The fund shall be held in the state treasury. Any interest on unused balances in the fund shall revert back to the credit of the fund. The State Treasurer shall charge reasonable fees to recover the actual costs of investing the assets of the plan or plans.

In establishing the participation requirements, the Department may provide that those employees, officers, and teachers without access to employer-sponsored health care coverage may participate in the plan. It shall collect all premiums directly from the employers of such employees, officers, and teachers.

C. In the event that the financial reserves of the plan fall to an unacceptably low level as determined by the Department, it shall have the authority to secure from the State Treasurer a loan sufficient to raise the reserve level to one that is considered adequate. The State Treasurer may make such a loan, to be repaid on such terms and conditions as established by him.

D. For the purposes of this section:

"Area agency on aging" means any agency designated pursuant to § 2.2-703 51.5-135.

"Employees of local governments" shall include all officers and employees of the governing body of any county, city or town, and the directing or governing body of any political entity, subdivision, branch or unit of the Commonwealth or of any commission or public authority or body corporate created by or under an act of the General Assembly specifying the power or powers, privileges or authority capable of exercise by the commission or public authority or body corporate, as distinguished from § 15.2-1300, 15.2-1303, or similar statutes, provided that the officers and employees of a social services department, welfare board, mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services board, center for independent living funded in whole or in part by the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 6 (§ 51.5-23 et seq.) Article 10 (§ 51.5-161 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 51.5, or library board of a county, city, or town shall be deemed to be employees of local government.

"Governing body," with regard to a center for independent living, means the governing board of an applicant established to operate the center for independent living as required by subsection B of § 51.5-23 § 51.5-161.

"Local officer" means the treasurer, registrar, commissioner of the revenue, attorney for the Commonwealth, clerk of a circuit court, sheriff, or constable of any county or city or deputies or employees of any of the preceding local officers.

"Teacher" means any employee of a county, city, or other local public school board.

E. Any stock and cash distributed to the Commonwealth pursuant to the conversion of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia, doing business as Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield, from a mutual insurance company to a stock corporation known as Trigon Healthcare, Inc., that is directly attributable to the health insurance plan or plans established for employees of local governments, local officers, teachers, employees of area agencies on aging, and retirees, and the dependents of such employees, officers, teachers and retirees, pursuant to subsection A (hereinafter referred to as the local choice plan distribution) shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the employee health insurance fund to be used as provided in this subsection. Such distribution shall not include any cash paid by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia or its successor to the Commonwealth in connection with such conversion that was assumed as general fund revenue in Chapter 912 of the 1996 Acts of Assembly. All other stock and cash received by the Commonwealth pursuant to such conversion of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia to a stock corporation shall be allocated as provided in subsection B of § 23-284.

The State Treasurer shall sell any stock received pursuant to the local choice plan distribution as soon as practicable following its receipt, subject to any lockup period or other restriction on its sale, and the proceeds therefrom shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the employee health insurance fund. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the State Treasurer shall not be liable for any losses incurred from the sale or distribution of such stock.

The Department of Human Resource Management shall use any stock, or the proceeds therefrom, and cash received pursuant to the local choice plan distribution to reduce premiums payable by employers participating in a plan or plans established pursuant to subsection A. In setting health insurance premiums for such plan or plans, the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management shall allocate the value of such stock, or proceeds therefrom, and cash among each participating employer. Such allocation shall be based on the proportionate amounts of premiums previously paid by each participating employer. If a participating employer withdraws from such plan or plans before all of the value allocated to it has been used for the benefit of the participating employer, the remaining value shall be transferred to such participating employer upon his withdrawal.

§ 2.2-1507. Participation of certain agencies in budget development process of other agencies.

Agencies having responsibilities granted under §§ 2.2-703, 2.2-2011, and 2.2-2696, and 51.5-135 shall participate in the budget development process of relevant agencies and receive from these agencies, prior to submission to the Department their proposed programs and budgets. Recommendations to the appropriate agencies and the secretaries of the Governor on related matters shall be made prior to budget submissions.

§ 2.2-2001.1. Program for mental health and rehabilitative services.

The Department, in cooperation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, shall establish a program to monitor and coordinate mental health and rehabilitative services support for Virginia veterans and members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service. The program shall also support family members affected by covered military members' service and deployments. The purpose of the program is to ensure that adequate and timely assessment, treatment, and support are available to veterans, service members, and affected family members.

The program shall facilitate support for covered individuals to provide timely assessment and treatment for stress-related injuries and traumatic brain injuries resulting from military service, and subject to the availability of public and private funds appropriated for them, case management services, outpatient, family support, and other appropriate behavioral health and brain injury services necessary to provide individual services and support.

The program shall cooperate with localities that may establish special treatment procedures for veterans and active military service members such as authorized by §§ 9.1-173 and 9.1-174. To facilitate local involvement and flexibility in responding to the problem of crime in local communities and to effectively treat, counsel, rehabilitate, and supervise veterans and active military service members who are offenders or defendants in the criminal justice system and who need access to proper treatment for mental illness including major depression, alcohol or drug abuse, post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or a combination of these, any city, county, or combination thereof, may develop, establish, and maintain policies, procedures, and treatment services for all such offenders who are convicted and sentenced for misdemeanors or felonies that are not felony acts of violence, as defined in § 19.2-297.1. Such policies, procedures, and treatment services shall be designed to provide:

1. Coordination of treatment and counseling services available to the criminal justice system case processing;

2. Enhanced public safety through offender supervision, counseling, and treatment;

3. Prompt identification and placement of eligible participants;

4. Access to a continuum of treatment, rehabilitation, and counseling services in collaboration with such care providers as are willing and able to provide the services needed;

5. Where appropriate, verified participant abstinence through frequent alcohol and other drug testing;

6. Prompt response to participants' noncompliance with program requirements;

7. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of program effectiveness and efficiency;

8. Ongoing education and training in support of program effectiveness and efficiency;

9. Ongoing collaboration among public agencies, community-based organizations and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care networks, the Veterans Benefits Administration, volunteer veteran mentors, and veterans and military family support organizations; and

10. The creation of a veterans and military service members' advisory council to provide input on the operations of such programs. The council shall include individuals responsible for the criminal justice procedures program along with veterans and, if available, active military service members.

§ 2.2-2411. Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board; purpose; membership; terms.

A. The Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board (the Board) is established as an advisory board, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Board shall be to report to and advise the Commissioner of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services on the means for effectuating the purposes of this article and shall assist in the coordination and management of the local and regional programs appointed to act as public guardians and conservators pursuant to Chapter 10 (§ 37.2-1000 et seq.) of Title 37.2.

B. The Board shall consist of no more than fifteen 15 members who shall be appointed by the Governor as follows: one representative of the Virginia Guardianship Association, one representative of the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging, one representative of the Virginia State Bar, one active or retired circuit court judge upon recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, one representative of the Association of Retarded Citizens, one representative of the Virginia Alliance for the Mentally Ill, one representative of the Virginia League of Social Service Executives, one representative of the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards, the Commissioner of Social Services or his designee, the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or his designee, the Director of the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy or his designee, and one person who is a member of the Commonwealth Council on Aging and such other individuals who may be qualified to assist in the duties of the Board.

C. The Commissioners of Social Services and Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or their designees, the Director of the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy or his designee, and the representative of the Commonwealth Council on Aging, shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office or in the case of designees, the term of the Commissioner or Director. Of the other members of the Board, five of the appointees shall serve for four-year terms and the remainder shall serve for three-year terms. No member shall serve more than two successive terms. A vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term.

D. Each year, the Board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

E. Members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2823.

§ 2.2-2528. (Expires July 1, 2014) Staffing.

The Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, and such other executive branch agencies as the Governor may designate, shall provide staff support to the Commission. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.

§ 2.2-2664. Virginia Interagency Coordinating Council; purpose; membership; duties.

A. The Virginia Interagency Coordinating Council (the Council) is established as an advisory council, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Council shall be to promote and coordinate early intervention services in the Commonwealth.

B. The membership and operation of the Council shall be as required by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1431 et seq.). The Commissioner of the Department of Health, the Director Commissioner of the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Commissioner of Social Services, the Commissioner of the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the Director of the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy, and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Insurance within the State Corporation Commission shall each appoint one person from his agency to serve as the agency's representative on the Council.

Agency representatives shall regularly inform their agency head of the Council's activities and the status of the implementation of an early intervention services system in the Commonwealth.

C. The Council's duties shall include advising and assisting the state lead agency in the following:

1. Performing its responsibilities for the early intervention services system;

2. Identifying sources of fiscal and other support for early intervention services, recommending financial responsibility arrangements among agencies, and promoting interagency agreements;

3. Developing strategies to encourage full participation, coordination, and cooperation of all appropriate agencies;

4. Resolving interagency disputes;

5. Gathering information about problems that impede timely and effective service delivery and taking steps to ensure that any identified policy problems are resolved;

6. Preparing federal grant applications; and

7. Preparing and submitting an annual report to the Governor and the U.S. Secretary of Education on the status of early intervention services within the Commonwealth.

§ 2.2-3401. Agency proceedings and determinations; application for licenses and services.

A. In the case of any agency proceeding or determination as to whether there is a violation of law or regulation by a deaf person or whether such person may obtain or retain a license or other right or benefit, and when the agency or deaf person requests an interpreter for the deaf, the agency shall request the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services to appoint a qualified interpreter or shall appoint such an interpreter from a list of qualified interpreters supplied by the Department to interpret the proceedings to the deaf person and to interpret any testimony the deaf person may give.

B. Whenever a deaf person applies for or receives any license, service, assistance or other right or benefit provided by an agency, the agency shall either request the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services to appoint a qualified interpreter for the deaf or appoint such an interpreter from the list of qualified interpreters maintained by the Department to assist the deaf person in communicating with agency personnel.

§ 2.2-3402. How interpreters paid.

An interpreter for the deaf appointed pursuant to § 2.2-3401 shall be paid by the agency out of such state and federal funds as may be available for the purpose or, if the agency has insufficient funds to pay an interpreter, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services may appoint and pay an interpreter from the funds it may have available for the purpose.

§ 2.2-3705.5. Exclusions to application of chapter; health and social services records.

The following records are excluded from the provisions of this chapter but may be disclosed by the custodian in his discretion, except where such disclosure is prohibited by law:

1. Health records, except that such records may be personally reviewed by the individual who is the subject of such records, as provided in subsection F of § 32.1-127.1:03.

Where the person who is the subject of health records is confined in a state or local correctional facility, the administrator or chief medical officer of such facility may assert such confined person's right of access to the health records if the administrator or chief medical officer has reasonable cause to believe that such confined person has an infectious disease or other medical condition from which other persons so confined need to be protected. Health records shall only be reviewed and shall not be copied by such administrator or chief medical officer. The information in the health records of a person so confined shall continue to be confidential and shall not be disclosed by the administrator or chief medical officer of the facility to any person except the subject or except as provided by law.

Where the person who is the subject of health records is under the age of 18, his right of access may be asserted only by his guardian or his parent, including a noncustodial parent, unless such parent's parental rights have been terminated, a court of competent jurisdiction has restricted or denied such access, or a parent has been denied access to the health record in accordance with § 20-124.6. In instances where the person who is the subject thereof is an emancipated minor, a student in a public institution of higher education, or is a minor who has consented to his own treatment as authorized by § 16.1-338 or 54.1-2969, the right of access may be asserted by the subject person.

For the purposes of this chapter, statistical summaries of incidents and statistical data concerning patient abuse as may be compiled by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall be open to inspection and copying as provided in § 2.2-3704. No such summaries or data shall include any patient-identifying information.

2. Applications for admission to examinations or for licensure and scoring records maintained by the Department of Health Professions or any board in that department on individual licensees or applicants. However, such material may be made available during normal working hours for copying, at the requester's expense, by the individual who is the subject thereof, in the offices of the Department of Health Professions or in the offices of any health regulatory board, whichever may possess the material.

3. Reports, documentary evidence and other information as specified in §§ 2.2-706 51.5-122, 51.5-141, and 63.2-104.

4. Investigative notes; proprietary information not published, copyrighted or patented; information obtained from employee personnel records; personally identifiable information regarding residents, clients or other recipients of services; other correspondence and information furnished in confidence to the Department of Social Services in connection with an active investigation of an applicant or licensee pursuant to Chapters 17 (§ 63.2-1700 et seq.) and 18 (§ 63.2-1800 et seq.) of Title 63.2; and records and information furnished to the Office of the Attorney General in connection with an investigation pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 32.1-310 et seq.) of Title 32.1. However, nothing in this section shall prohibit disclosure of information from the records of completed investigations in a form that does not reveal the identity of complainants, persons supplying information, or other individuals involved in the investigation.

5. Information and records collected for the designation and verification of trauma centers and other specialty care centers within the Statewide Emergency Medical Services System and Services pursuant to Article 2.1 (§ 32.1-111.1 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 32.1.

6. Reports and court documents relating to involuntary admission required to be kept confidential pursuant to § 37.2-818.

7. Data formerly required to be submitted to the Commissioner of Health relating to the establishment of new or the expansion of existing clinical health services, acquisition of major medical equipment, or certain projects requiring capital expenditures pursuant to former § 32.1-102.3:4.

8. Information required to be provided to the Department of Health Professions by certain licensees pursuant to § 54.1-2506.1.

9. Information and records acquired (i) during a review of any child death conducted by the State Child Fatality Review team established pursuant to § 32.1-283.1 or by a local or regional child fatality review team to the extent made confidential by § 32.1-283.2; (ii) during a review of any death conducted by a family violence fatality review team to the extent made confidential by § 32.1-283.3; or (iii) during a review of any adult death conducted by the Adult Fatality Review Team to the extent made confidential by § 32.1-283.5.

10. Patient level data collected by the Board of Health and not yet processed, verified, and released, pursuant to § 32.1-276.9, to the Board by the nonprofit organization with which the Commissioner of Health has contracted pursuant to § 32.1-276.4.

11. Records of the Health Practitioners' Monitoring Program Committee within the Department of Health Professions, to the extent such records may identify any practitioner who may be, or who is actually, impaired to the extent disclosure is prohibited by § 54.1-2517.

12. Records submitted as a grant application, or accompanying a grant application, to the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Advisory Board pursuant to Chapter 3.1 (§ 51.5-12.1 et seq.) Article 12 (§ 51.5-178 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 51.5, to the extent such records contain (i) medical or mental records, or other data identifying individual patients or (ii) proprietary business or research-related information produced or collected by the applicant in the conduct of or as a result of study or research on medical, rehabilitative, scientific, technical or scholarly issues, when such information has not been publicly released, published, copyrighted or patented, if the disclosure of such information would be harmful to the competitive position of the applicant.

13. Any record copied, recorded or received by the Commissioner of Health in the course of an examination, investigation or review of a managed care health insurance plan licensee pursuant to §§ 32.1-137.4 and 32.1-137.5, including books, records, files, accounts, papers, documents, and any or all computer or other recordings.

14. Records, information and statistical registries required to be kept confidential pursuant to §§ 63.2-102 and 63.2-104.

15. All data, records, and reports relating to the prescribing and dispensing of covered substances to recipients and any abstracts from such data, records, and reports that are in the possession of the Prescription Monitoring Program pursuant to Chapter 25.2 (§ 54.1-2519 et seq.) of Title 54.1 and any material relating to the operation or security of the Program.

16. Records of the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program required to be kept confidential pursuant to § 38.2-5002.2.

17. Records of the State Health Commissioner relating to the health of any person or persons subject to an order of quarantine or an order of isolation pursuant to Article 3.02 (§ 32.1-48.05 et seq.) of Chapter 2 of Title 32.1; this provision shall not, however, be construed to prohibit the disclosure of statistical summaries, abstracts or other information in aggregate form.

18. Records containing the names and addresses or other contact information of persons receiving transportation services from a state or local public body or its designee under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (42 U.S.C. § 12131 et seq.) or funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) created under § 63.2-600.

§ 2.2-4002. Exemptions from chapter generally.

A. Although required to comply with § 2.2-4103 of the Virginia Register Act (§ 2.2-4100 et seq.), the following agencies shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter, except to the extent that they are specifically made subject to §§ 2.2-4024, 2.2-4030 and 2.2-4031:

1. The General Assembly.

2. Courts, any agency of the Supreme Court, and any agency that by the Constitution is expressly granted any of the powers of a court of record.

3. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in promulgating regulations regarding the management of wildlife and for all case decisions rendered pursuant to any provisions of Chapters 2 (§ 29.1-200 et seq.), 3 (§ 29.1-300 et seq.), 4 (§ 29.1-400 et seq.), 5 (§ 29.1-500 et seq.), and 7 (§ 29.1-700 et seq.) of Title 29.1.

4. The Virginia Housing Development Authority.

5. Municipal corporations, counties, and all local, regional or multijurisdictional authorities created under this Code, including those with federal authorities.

6. Educational institutions operated by the Commonwealth, provided that, with respect to § 2.2-4031, such educational institutions shall be exempt from the publication requirements only with respect to regulations that pertain to (i) their academic affairs, (ii) the selection, tenure, promotion and disciplining of faculty and employees, (iii) the selection of students, and (iv) rules of conduct and disciplining of students.

7. The Milk Commission in promulgating regulations regarding (i) producers' licenses and bases, (ii) classification and allocation of milk, computation of sales and shrinkage, and (iii) class prices for producers' milk, time and method of payment, butterfat testing and differential.

8. The Virginia Resources Authority.

9. Agencies expressly exempted by any other provision of this Code.

10. The Department of General Services in promulgating standards for the inspection of buildings for asbestos pursuant to § 2.2-1164.

11. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, in developing, issuing, and revising guidelines pursuant to § 23-9.6:2.

12. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services in adopting regulations pursuant to subsection B of § 3.2-6002 and in adopting regulations pursuant to § 3.2-6023.

13. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services in promulgating regulations pursuant to subsections B and D of § 3.2-3601, subsection B of § 3.2-3701, § 3.2-4002, subsections B and D of § 3.2-4801, §§ 3.2-5121 and 3.2-5206, and subsection A of § 3.2-5406.

14. The Board of Optometry when specifying therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, treatment guidelines, and diseases and abnormal conditions of the human eye and its adnexa for TPA-certification of optometrists pursuant to Article 5 (§ 54.1-3222 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of Title 54.1.

15. The Virginia War Memorial Foundation.

16. The State Board of Education, in developing, issuing, and revising guidelines pursuant to § 22.1-203.2.

17. The Virginia Racing Commission, (i) when acting by and through its duly appointed stewards or in matters related to any specific race meeting or (ii) in promulgating technical rules regulating actual live horse racing at race meetings licensed by the Commission.

18. The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority.

19. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority.

20. The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services in adopting, amending or repealing regulations pursuant to subsection A (ii) of § 59.1-156.

21. The Insurance Continuing Education Board pursuant to § 38.2-1867.

22. The Board of Health in promulgating the list of diseases that shall be reported to the Department of Health pursuant to § 32.1-35 and in adopting, amending or repealing regulations pursuant to subsection C of § 35.1-14 that incorporate the Food and Drug Administration's Food Code pertaining to restaurants or food service.

23. (Expires January 1, 2014) The Secretary of Natural Resources in setting a date of closure for the Chesapeake Bay purse seine fishery for Atlantic menhaden for reduction purposes pursuant to § 28.2-1000.2.

24. The Board of Pharmacy when specifying special subject requirements for continuing education for pharmacists pursuant to § 54.1-3314.1.

B. Agency action relating to the following subjects shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:

1. Money or damage claims against the Commonwealth or agencies thereof.

2. The award or denial of state contracts, as well as decisions regarding compliance therewith.

3. The location, design, specifications or construction of public buildings or other facilities.

4. Grants of state or federal funds or property.

5. The chartering of corporations.

6. Customary military, militia, naval or police functions.

7. The selection, tenure, dismissal, direction or control of any officer or employee of an agency of the Commonwealth.

8. The conduct of elections or eligibility to vote.

9. Inmates of prisons or other such facilities or parolees therefrom.

10. The custody of persons in, or sought to be placed in, mental, penal or other state institutions as well as the treatment, supervision, or discharge of such persons.

11. Traffic signs, markers or control devices.

12. Instructions for application or renewal of a license, certificate, or registration required by law.

13. Content of, or rules for the conduct of, any examination required by law.

14. The administration of pools authorized by Chapter 47 (§ 2.2-4700 et seq.) of this title.

15. Any rules for the conduct of specific lottery games, so long as such rules are not inconsistent with duly adopted regulations of the State Lottery Board, and provided that such regulations are published and posted.

16. Orders condemning or closing any shellfish, finfish, or crustacea growing area and the shellfish, finfish or crustacea located thereon pursuant to Article 2 (§ 28.2-803 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 28.2.

17. Any operating procedures for review of child deaths developed by the State Child Fatality Review Team pursuant to § 32.1-283.1.

18. The regulations for the implementation of the Health Practitioners' Monitoring Program and the activities of the Health Practitioners' Monitoring Program Committee pursuant to Chapter 25.1 (§ 54.1-2515 et seq.) of Title 54.1.

19. The process of reviewing and ranking grant applications submitted to the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Advisory Board pursuant to Chapter 3.1 (§ 51.5-12.1 et seq.) Article 12 (§ 51.5-178 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 51.5.

20. Loans from the Small Business Environmental Compliance Assistance Fund pursuant to Article 4 (§ 10.1-1197.1 et seq.) of Chapter 11.1 of Title 10.1.

21. The Virginia Breeders Fund created pursuant to § 59.1-372.

22. The types of pari-mutuel wagering pools available for live or simulcast horse racing.

23. The administration of medication or other substances foreign to the natural horse.

C. Minor changes to regulations published in the Virginia Administrative Code under the Virginia Register Act, Chapter 41 (§ 2.2-4100 et seq.) of this title, made by the Virginia Code Commission pursuant to § 30-150, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

§ 2.2-4344. (Effective until July 1, 2012) Exemptions from competition for certain transactions.

A. Any public body may enter into contracts without competition for:

1. The purchase of goods or services that are produced or performed by:

a. Persons, or in schools or workshops, under the supervision of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services; or

b. Nonprofit sheltered workshops or other nonprofit organizations that offer transitional or supported employment services serving the handicapped.

2. The purchase of legal services, provided that the pertinent provisions of Chapter 5 (§ 2.2-500 et seq.) of this title remain applicable, or expert witnesses or other services associated with litigation or regulatory proceedings.

B. An industrial development authority or regional industrial facility authority may enter into contracts without competition with respect to any item of cost of "authority facilities" or "facilities" as defined in § 15.2-4902 or "facility" as defined in § 15.2-6400.

C. A community development authority formed pursuant to Article 6 (§ 15.2-5152 et seq.) of Chapter 51 of Title 15.2, with members selected pursuant to such article, may enter into contracts without competition with respect to the exercise of any of its powers permitted by § 15.2-5158. However, this exception shall not apply in cases where any public funds other than special assessments and incremental real property taxes levied pursuant to § 15.2-5158 are used as payment for such contract.

D. The Inspector General for Behavioral Health and Developmental Services may enter into contracts without competition to obtain the services of licensed health care professionals or other experts to assist in carrying out the duties of the Office of the Inspector General for Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

§ 2.2-4344. (Effective July 1, 2012) Exemptions from competition for certain transactions.

A. Any public body may enter into contracts without competition for:

1. The purchase of goods or services that are produced or performed by:

a. Persons, or in schools or workshops, under the supervision of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services; or

b. Nonprofit sheltered workshops or other nonprofit organizations that offer transitional or supported employment services serving the handicapped.

2. The purchase of legal services, provided that the pertinent provisions of Chapter 5 (§ 2.2-500 et seq.) remain applicable, or expert witnesses or other services associated with litigation or regulatory proceedings.

B. An industrial development authority or regional industrial facility authority may enter into contracts without competition with respect to any item of cost of "authority facilities" or "facilities" as defined in § 15.2-4902 or "facility" as defined in § 15.2-6400.

C. A community development authority formed pursuant to Article 6 (§ 15.2-5152 et seq.) of Chapter 51 of Title 15.2, with members selected pursuant to such article, may enter into contracts without competition with respect to the exercise of any of its powers permitted by § 15.2-5158. However, this exception shall not apply in cases where any public funds other than special assessments and incremental real property taxes levied pursuant to § 15.2-5158 are used as payment for such contract.

D. The State Inspector General may enter into contracts without competition to obtain the services of licensed health care professionals or other experts to assist in carrying out the duties of the Office of the State Inspector General.

§ 2.2-4345. Exemptions from competitive sealed bidding and competitive negotiation for certain transactions; limitations.

A. The following public bodies may enter into contracts without competitive sealed bidding or competitive negotiation:

1. The Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services for special services provided for eligible recipients pursuant to subsection H of § 32.1-325, provided that the Director has made a determination in advance after reasonable notice to the public and set forth in writing that competitive sealed bidding or competitive negotiation for such services is not fiscally advantageous to the public, or would constitute an imminent threat to the health or welfare of such recipients. The writing shall document the basis for this determination.

2. The State Health Commissioner for the compilation, storage, analysis, evaluation, and publication of certain data submitted by health care providers and for the development of a methodology to measure the efficiency and productivity of health care providers pursuant to Chapter 7.2 (§ 32.1-276.2 et seq.) of Title 32.1, if the Commissioner has made a determination in advance, after reasonable notice to the public and set forth in writing, that competitive sealed bidding or competitive negotiation for such services is not fiscally advantageous to the public. The writing shall document the basis for this determination. Such agreements and contracts shall be based on competitive principles.

3. The Virginia Code Commission when procuring the services of a publisher, pursuant to §§ 30-146 and 30-148, to publish the Code of Virginia or the Virginia Administrative Code.

4. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

5. The Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, for the administration of elder rights programs, with (i) nonprofit Virginia corporations granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code with statewide experience in Virginia in conducting a state long-term care ombudsman program or (ii) designated area agencies on aging.

6. The Department of Health for (a) child restraint devices, pursuant to § 46.2-1097; (b) health care services with Virginia corporations granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operating as clinics for the indigent and uninsured that are organized for the delivery of primary health care services in a community (i) as federally qualified health centers designated by the Health Care Financing Administration or (ii) at a reduced or sliding fee scale or without charge; or (c) contracts with laboratories providing cytology and related services if competitive sealed bidding and competitive negotiations are not fiscally advantageous to the public to provide quality control as prescribed in writing by the Commissioner of Health.

7. Virginia Correctional Enterprises, when procuring materials, supplies, or services for use in and support of its production facilities, provided the procurement is accomplished using procedures that ensure as efficient use of funds as practicable and, at a minimum, includes obtaining telephone quotations. Such procedures shall require documentation of the basis for awarding contracts under this section.

8. The Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority for the operation of any facilities developed under the provisions of Chapter 58 (§ 15.2-5800 et seq.) of Title 15.2, including contracts or agreements with respect to the sale of food, beverages and souvenirs at such facilities.

9. With the consent of the Governor, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation for the promotion of tourism through marketing with private entities provided a demonstrable cost savings, as reviewed by the Secretary of Education, can be realized by the Foundation and such agreements or contracts are based on competitive principles.

10. The Chesapeake Hospital Authority in the exercise of any power conferred under Chapter 271, as amended, of the Acts of Assembly of 1966;, provided that it does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, or disability in the procurement of goods and services.

11. Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital Authority, any authorities created under Chapter 53 (§ 15.2-5300 et seq.) of Title 15.2 and any hospital or health center commission created under Chapter 52 (§ 15.2-5200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 in the exercise of any power conferred under their respective authorizing legislation;, provided that these entities shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, or disability in the procurement of goods and services.

12. The Patrick Hospital Authority sealed in the exercise of any power conferred under the Acts of Assembly of 2000;, provided that it does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, or disability in the procurement of goods and services.

13. Public bodies for insurance or electric utility services if purchased through an association of which it is a member if the association was formed and is maintained for the purpose of promoting the interest and welfare of and developing close relationships with similar public bodies, provided such association has procured the insurance or electric utility services by use of competitive principles and provided that the public body has made a determination in advance after reasonable notice to the public and set forth in writing that competitive sealed bidding and competitive negotiation are not fiscally advantageous to the public. The writing shall document the basis for this determination.

14. Public bodies administering public assistance and social services programs as defined in § 63.2-100, community services boards as defined in § 37.2-100, or any public body purchasing services under the Comprehensive Services Act for At-Risk Youth and Families (§ 2.2-5200 et seq.) or the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act (§ 16.1-309.2 et seq.) for goods or personal services for direct use by the recipients of such programs if the procurement is made for an individual recipient. Contracts for the bulk procurement of goods or services for the use of recipients shall not be exempted from the requirements of § 2.2-4303.

15. The Eastern Virginia Medical School in the exercise of any power conferred pursuant to Chapter 471, as amended, of the Acts of Assembly of 1964.

B. No contract for the construction of any building or for an addition to or improvement of an existing building by any local government or subdivision of local government for which state funds of not more than $50,000 in the aggregate or for the sum of all phases of a contract or project either by appropriation, grant-in-aid or loan, are used or are to be used for all or part of the cost of construction shall be let except after competitive sealed bidding or after competitive negotiation as provided under of subsection D of § 2.2-4303. The procedure for the advertising for bids or for proposals and for letting of the contract shall conform, mutatis mutandis, to this chapter.

§ 2.2-5300. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Council" means the Virginia Interagency Coordinating Council created pursuant to § 2.2-2664.

"Early intervention services" means services provided through Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1431 et seq.), as amended, designed to meet the developmental needs of each child and the needs of the family related to enhancing the child's development and provided to children from birth to age three who have (i) a 25 percent developmental delay in one or more areas of development, (ii) atypical development, or (iii) a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay. Early intervention services provided in the child's home and in accordance with this chapter shall not be construed to be home health services as referenced in § 32.1-162.7.

"Participating agencies" means the Departments of Health, of Education, of Medical Assistance Services, of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and of Social Services; the Departments for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services and for the Blind and Vision Impaired; the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy; and the Bureau of Insurance within the State Corporation Commission.

§ 2.2-5510. (Expires July 1, 2013) Strategic plan.

A. Each agency shall develop and maintain a strategic plan for its operations. The plan shall include:

1. A statement of the mission, goals, strategies, and performance measures of the agency that are linked into the performance management system directed by long-term objectives;

2. Identification of priority and other service populations under current law and how those populations are expected to change within the time period of the plan;

3. An analysis of any likely or expected changes in the services provided by the agency; and

4. An analysis of the impact that the aging of the population will have on its ability to deliver services and a description of how the agency is responding to these changes. Each agency shall report every four years in a manner and time frame established by the Secretary of Health and Human Resources in coordination with the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services its progress in addressing the impact of the aging of the population, according to guidance established by the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Based upon information received, the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall incorporate this information into the Plans for Aging Services required pursuant to § 2.2-703.1 51.5-136.

B. Strategic plans shall also include the following information:

1. Input, output, and outcome measures for the agency;

2. A description of the use of current agency resources in meeting current needs and expected future needs, and additional resources that may be necessary to meet future needs; and

3. A description of the activities of the agency that have received either a lesser priority or have been eliminated from the agency's mission or work plan over the previous year because of changing needs, conditions, focus, or mission.

C. The strategic plan shall cover a period of at least two years forward from the fiscal year in which it is submitted and shall be reviewed by the agency annually.

D. Each agency shall post its strategic plan on the Internet.

§ 3.2-6588. Intentional interference with a guide or leader dog; penalty.

A. It is unlawful for a person to, without just cause, willfully impede or interfere with the duties performed by a dog if the person knows or has reason to believe the dog is a guide or leader dog. A violation of this subsection is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

B. It is unlawful for a person to, without just cause, willfully injure a dog if the person knows or has reason to believe the dog is a guide or leader dog. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

"Guide or leader dog" means a dog that: (i) serves as a dog guide for a blind person as defined in § 51.5-60 51.5-190 or for a person with a visual disability; (ii) serves as a listener for a deaf or hard-of-hearing hard of hearing person as defined in § 51.5-111 51.5-183; or (iii) provides support or assistance for a physically disabled or handicapped person.

§ 8.01-44.3. Divulgence of communications by qualified interpreters and communications assistants.

If the content of any communication which is facilitated for compensation in the professional capacity of a qualified interpreter, as defined in § 51.5-113 51.5-188, or in the professional capacity of any communications assistant employed by the statewide dual party relay service established under Article 5 (§ 56-484.4 et seq.) of Chapter 15 of Title 56, is divulged by such interpreter or assistant, any such party to the communication aggrieved by such divulgence may recover from such interpreter or assistant the greater of (i) actual damages sustained, together with costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, or (ii) $100. No such recovery shall be permitted if the interpreter or assistant and the parties to the communication have agreed that the interpreter or assistant may divulge the content of the communication.

§ 8.01-66.9. Lien in favor of Commonwealth, its programs, institutions or departments on claim for personal injuries.

Whenever any person sustains personal injuries and receives treatment in any hospital, public or private, or nursing home, or receives medical attention or treatment from any physician, or receives nursing services or care from any registered nurse in this Commonwealth, or receives pharmaceutical goods or any type of medical or rehabilitative device, apparatus, or treatment which is paid for pursuant to the Virginia Medical Assistance Program, the State/Local Hospitalization Program and other programs of the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Maternal and Child Health Program, or the Children's Specialty Services Program, or provided at or paid for by any hospital or rehabilitation center operated by the Commonwealth, the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services or any state institution of higher education, the Commonwealth shall have a lien for the total amount paid pursuant to such program, and the Commonwealth or such Department or institution shall have a lien for the total amount due for the services, equipment or devices provided at or paid for by such hospital or center operated by the Commonwealth or such Department or institution, or any portion thereof compromised pursuant to the authority granted under § 2.2-514, on the claim of such injured person or of his personal representative against the person, firm, or corporation who is alleged to have caused such injuries.

The Commonwealth or such Department or institution shall also have a lien on the claim of the injured person or his personal representative for any funds which may be due him from insurance moneys received for such medical services under the injured party's own insurance coverage or through an uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance coverage endorsement. The lien granted to the Commonwealth for the total amounts paid pursuant to the Virginia Medical Assistance Program, the State/Local Hospitalization Program and other programs of the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Maternal and Child Health Program, or the Children's Specialty Services Program shall have priority over the lien for the amounts due for services, equipment or devices provided at a hospital or center operated by the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth's or such Department's or institution's lien shall be inferior to any lien for payment of reasonable attorney's fees and costs, but shall be superior to all other liens created by the provisions of this chapter and otherwise. Expenses for reasonable legal fees and costs shall be deducted from the total amount recovered. The amount of the lien may be compromised pursuant to § 2.2-514.

The court in which a suit by an injured person or his personal representative has been filed against the person, firm or corporation alleged to have caused such injuries or in which such suit may properly be filed, may, upon motion or petition by the injured person, his personal representative or his attorney, and after written notice is given to all those holding liens attaching to the recovery, reduce the amount of the liens and apportion the recovery, whether by verdict or negotiated settlement, between the plaintiff, the plaintiff's attorney, and the Commonwealth or such Department or institution as the equities of the case may appear, provided that the injured person, his personal representative or attorney has made a good faith effort to negotiate a compromise pursuant to § 2.2-514. The court shall set forth the basis for any such reduction in a written order.

§ 8.01-384.1. Interpreters for deaf in civil proceedings.

In any civil proceeding in which a speech-impaired or hearing-impaired person is a party or witness, the court may appoint a qualified interpreter to assist such person in the proceeding. The court shall appoint an interpreter for any speech-impaired or hearing-impaired person who requests this assistance.

Interpreters for the deaf in these proceedings shall be procured through the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services.

Any person who is eligible for an interpreter pursuant to this section may waive the use of an interpreter appointed by the court for all or a portion of the proceedings. A person who waives his right to an interpreter may provide his own interpreter at his own expense without regard to whether the interpreter is qualified under this section.

The compensation of interpreters appointed pursuant to this section shall be fixed by the court and paid from the general fund of the state treasury or may, in the discretion of the court, be assessed as a part of the cost of the proceedings.

The provisions of this section shall apply in both circuit courts and district courts.

§ 15.2-1535. Members of governing body not to be elected or appointed by governing body to certain offices.

A. Pursuant to Article VII, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, no member of a governing body of a locality shall be eligible, during the term of office for which he was elected or appointed, to hold any office filled by the governing body by election or appointment, except that a member of a governing body may be named a member of such other boards, commissions, and bodies as may be permitted by general law and except that a member of a governing body may be named to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or board chairman if permitted by general or special law.

B. Pursuant to Article VII, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, and without limiting any other provision of general law, a governing body member may be named by the governing body to one or more of the following positions:

1. Director of emergency management pursuant to § 44-146.19;

2. Member of a planning district commission pursuant to § 15.2-4203;

3. Member of a transportation district commission pursuant to § 15.2-4507;

4. Member of a behavioral health authority board pursuant to Chapter 6 (§ 37.2-600 et seq.) of Title 37.2;

5. Member of a hospital or health center commission pursuant to Chapter 51 (§ 15.2-5100 et seq.) of Title 15.2;

6. Member of a community services board pursuant to Chapter 5 (§ 37.2-500 et seq.) of Title 37.2;

7. Member of a park authority pursuant to Chapter 57 (§ 15.2-5700 et seq.) of Title 15.2;

8. Member of a detention or other residential care facilities commission pursuant to Article 13 (§ 16.1-315 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1;

9. Member of a board of directors, governing board or advisory council of an area agency on aging pursuant to § 2.2-703 51.5-135;

10. Member of a regional jail or jail farm board, pursuant to § 53.1-106 or of a regional jail authority or jail authority pursuant to Article 3.1 (§ 53.1-95.2 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 53.1;

11. With respect to members of the governing body of a town under 3,500 population, member of an industrial development authority's board of directors pursuant to Chapter 49 (§ 15.2-4900 et seq.) of Title 15.2;

12. Member of the board of directors, governing board, or advisory council or committee of an airport commission or authority;

13. Member of a Board of Directors of a Regional Industrial Facility Authority pursuant to Chapter 64 (§ 15.2-6400 et seq.) of Title 15.2;

14. Member of a local parks and recreation commission; and

15. Member of the Board of the Richmond Ambulance Authority.

C. If any governing body member is appointed or elected by the governing body to any office, his qualification in that office shall be void except as provided in subsection B or by other general law.

D. Except as specifically provided in general or special law, no appointed body listed in subsection B shall be comprised of a majority of elected officials as members, nor shall any locality be represented on such appointed body by more than one elected official.

E. For the purposes of this section, "governing body" includes the mayor of a municipality and the county board chairman.

§ 15.2-1805. Permitting visually handicapped persons to operate stands for sale of newspapers, etc.

A locality, by ordinance or resolution, may authorize any visually handicapped person to construct, maintain and operate, under the supervision of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, in the county or city courthouse or in any other property of the locality, a stand for the sale of newspapers, periodicals, confections, tobacco products and similar articles and may prescribe rules for the operation of such stand.

§ 15.2-2159. Fee for solid waste disposal by counties.

A. Accomack County, Augusta County, Floyd County, Highland County, and Wise County may levy a fee for the disposal of solid waste not to exceed the actual cost incurred by the county in procuring, developing, maintaining, and improving the landfill and for such reserves as may be necessary for capping and closing such landfill in the future. Such fee as collected shall be deposited in a special account to be expended only for the purposes for which it was levied. Except in Floyd County and Wise County, such fee shall not be used to purchase or subsidize the purchase of equipment used for the collection of solid waste. In Augusta County and Highland County, such fee (i) may only be levied upon persons whose residential solid waste is disposed of at a county landfill or county solid waste collection or disposal facility and (ii) shall not be levied upon persons whose residential waste is not disposed of in such landfill or facility if such nondisposal is documented by the collector or generator of such waste as required by ordinance of such county. Documentation provided by a collector of such waste pursuant to clause (ii) shall not be disclosed by the county to any other person.

B. Any fee imposed by subsection A when combined with any other fee or charge for disposal of waste shall not exceed the actual cost incurred by the county in procuring, developing, maintaining, and improving its landfill and for such reserves as may be necessary for capping and closing such landfill in the future.

C. Any county which imposes the fee allowed under subsection A may enter into a contractual agreement with any water or heat, light, and power company or other corporation coming within the provisions of Chapter 26 (§ 58.1-2600 et seq.) of Title 58.1 except Appalachian Power Company, Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative, BARC Electric Cooperative and Powell Valley Electric Cooperative for the collection of such fee. The agreement may include a commission for such service in the form of a deduction from the fee remitted. The commission shall be provided for by ordinance, which shall set the rate not to exceed five percent of the amount of fees due and collected.

D. Accomack, Highland and Wise Counties have the following authority regarding collection of said fee:

1. To prorate said fee depending upon the period a resident or business is located in said county during the year of fee levy;

2. To levy penalty for late payment of fee as set forth in § 58.1-3916 of the Code of Virginia;

3. To levy interest on unpaid fees as set forth in § 58.1-3916 of the Code of Virginia;

4. To credit the fee first against the most delinquent use fee account owing;

5. To require payment of the fee prior to approval of an application for rezoning, special exception, variance or other land use permit; and

6. To provide discounts to the standard fee rates for older persons, as defined in § 2.2-703 51.5-116, and disabled persons based on ability to pay.

§ 19.2-164.1. Interpreters for the deaf.

In any criminal case in which a deaf person is the accused, an interpreter for the deaf person shall be appointed. In any criminal case in which a deaf person is the victim or a witness, an interpreter for the deaf person shall be appointed by the court in which the case is to be heard unless the court finds that the deaf person does not require the services of a court-appointed interpreter and the deaf person waives his rights. Such interpreter shall be procured by the judge of the court in which the case is to be heard through the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services.

The compensation of an interpreter appointed by the court pursuant to this section shall be fixed by the court and paid from the general fund of the state treasury as part of the expense of trial. Such fee shall not be assessed as part of the costs.

Any person entitled to the services of an interpreter under this section may waive these services for all or a portion of the proceedings. Such a waiver shall be made by the person upon the record after an opportunity to consult with legal counsel. A judicial officer, utilizing an interpreter obtained in accordance with this section, shall explain to the deaf person the nature and effect of any waiver. Any waiver shall be approved in writing by the deaf person's legal counsel. If the person does not have legal counsel, approval shall be made in writing by a judicial officer. A person who waives his right to an interpreter may provide his own interpreter at his own expense without regard to whether the interpreter is qualified under this section.

The provisions of this section shall apply in both circuit courts and district courts.

Whenever a person communicates through an interpreter to any person under such circumstances that the communication would be privileged, and such person could not be compelled to testify as to the communications, this privilege shall also apply to the interpreter.

In any judicial proceeding, the judge on his own motion or on the motion of a party to the proceeding may order all of the testimony of a deaf person and the interpretation thereof to be visually electronically recorded for use in verification of the official transcript of the proceedings.

§ 19.2-389. Dissemination of criminal history record information.

A. Criminal history record information shall be disseminated, whether directly or through an intermediary, only to:

1. Authorized officers or employees of criminal justice agencies, as defined by § 9.1-101, for purposes of the administration of criminal justice and the screening of an employment application or review of employment by a criminal justice agency with respect to its own employees or applicants, and dissemination to the Virginia Parole Board, pursuant to this subdivision, of such information on all state-responsible inmates for the purpose of making parole determinations pursuant to subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 5 of § 53.1-136 shall include collective dissemination by electronic means every 30 days;

2. Such other individuals and agencies that require criminal history record information to implement a state or federal statute or executive order of the President of the United States or Governor that expressly refers to criminal conduct and contains requirements or exclusions expressly based upon such conduct, except that information concerning the arrest of an individual may not be disseminated to a noncriminal justice agency or individual if an interval of one year has elapsed from the date of the arrest and no disposition of the charge has been recorded and no active prosecution of the charge is pending;

3. Individuals and agencies pursuant to a specific agreement with a criminal justice agency to provide services required for the administration of criminal justice pursuant to that agreement which shall specifically authorize access to data, limit the use of data to purposes for which given, and ensure the security and confidentiality of the data;

4. Individuals and agencies for the express purpose of research, evaluative, or statistical activities pursuant to an agreement with a criminal justice agency that shall specifically authorize access to data, limit the use of data to research, evaluative, or statistical purposes, and ensure the confidentiality and security of the data;

5. Agencies of state or federal government that are authorized by state or federal statute or executive order of the President of the United States or Governor to conduct investigations determining employment suitability or eligibility for security clearances allowing access to classified information;

6. Individuals and agencies where authorized by court order or court rule;

7. Agencies of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, public transportation companies owned, operated or controlled by any political subdivision, and any public service corporation that operates a public transit system owned by a local government for the conduct of investigations of applicants for employment, permit, or license whenever, in the interest of public welfare or safety, it is necessary to determine under a duly enacted ordinance if the past criminal conduct of a person with a conviction record would be compatible with the nature of the employment, permit, or license under consideration;

7a. Commissions created pursuant to the Transportation District Act of 1964 (§ 15.2-4500 et seq.) and their contractors, for the conduct of investigations of individuals who have been offered a position of employment whenever, in the interest of public welfare or safety and as authorized in the Transportation District Act of 1964, it is necessary to determine if the past criminal conduct of a person with a conviction record would be compatible with the nature of the employment under consideration;

8. Public or private agencies when authorized or required by federal or state law or interstate compact to investigate (i) applicants for foster or adoptive parenthood or (ii) any individual, and the adult members of that individual's household, with whom the agency is considering placing a child or from whom the agency is considering removing a child due to abuse or neglect, on an emergency, temporary, or permanent basis pursuant to §§ 63.2-901.1 and 63.2-1505, subject to the restriction that the data shall not be further disseminated to any party other than a federal or state authority or court as may be required to comply with an express requirement of law;

9. To the extent permitted by federal law or regulation, public service companies as defined in § 56-1, for the conduct of investigations of applicants for employment when such employment involves personal contact with the public or when past criminal conduct of an applicant would be incompatible with the nature of the employment under consideration;

10. The appropriate authority for purposes of granting citizenship and for purposes of international travel, including, but not limited to, issuing visas and passports;

11. A person requesting a copy of his own criminal history record information as defined in § 9.1-101 at his cost, except that criminal history record information shall be supplied at no charge to a person who has applied to be a volunteer with (i) a Virginia affiliate of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America; (ii) a volunteer fire company or volunteer rescue squad; (iii) the Volunteer Emergency Families for Children; (iv) any affiliate of Prevent Child Abuse, Virginia; (v) any Virginia affiliate of Compeer; or (vi) any board member or any individual who has been offered membership on the board of a Crime Stoppers, Crime Solvers or Crime Line program as defined in § 15.2-1713.1;

12. Administrators and board presidents of and applicants for licensure or registration as a child welfare agency as defined in § 63.2-100 for dissemination to the Commissioner of Social Services' representative pursuant to § 63.2-1702 for the conduct of investigations with respect to employees of and volunteers at such facilities, caretakers, and other adults living in family day-care homes or homes approved by family day-care systems, and foster and adoptive parent applicants of private child-placing agencies, pursuant to §§ 63.2-1719 through 63.2-1721, subject to the restriction that the data shall not be further disseminated by the facility or agency to any party other than the data subject, the Commissioner of Social Services' representative or a federal or state authority or court as may be required to comply with an express requirement of law for such further dissemination;

13. The school boards of the Commonwealth for the purpose of screening individuals who are offered or who accept public school employment and those current school board employees for whom a report of arrest has been made pursuant to § 19.2-83.1;

14. The State Lottery Department for the conduct of investigations as set forth in the State Lottery Law (§ 58.1-4000 et seq.), and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the conduct of investigations as set forth in Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2;

15. Licensed nursing homes, hospitals and home care organizations for the conduct of investigations of applicants for compensated employment in licensed nursing homes pursuant to § 32.1-126.01, hospital pharmacies pursuant to § 32.1-126.02, and home care organizations pursuant to § 32.1-162.9:1, subject to the limitations set out in subsection E;

16. Licensed homes for adults, licensed district homes for adults, and licensed adult day-care centers for the conduct of investigations of applicants for compensated employment in licensed homes for adults pursuant to § 63.2-1720, in licensed district homes for adults pursuant to § 63.1-189.1, and in licensed adult day-care centers pursuant to § 63.2-1720, subject to the limitations set out in subsection F;

17. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for the conduct of investigations as set forth in § 4.1-103.1;

18. The State Board of Elections and authorized officers and employees thereof in the course of conducting necessary investigations with respect to registered voters, limited to any record of felony convictions;

19. The Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for those individuals who are committed to the custody of the Commissioner pursuant to §§ 19.2-169.2, 19.2-169.6, 19.2-182.2, 19.2-182.3, 19.2-182.8, and 19.2-182.9 for the purpose of placement, evaluation, and treatment planning;

20. Any alcohol safety action program certified by the Commission on the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program for (i) assessments of habitual offenders under § 46.2-360, (ii) interventions with first offenders under § 18.2-251, or (iii) services to offenders under § 18.2-51.4, 18.2-266, or 18.2-266.1;

21. Residential facilities for juveniles regulated or operated by the Department of Social Services, the Department of Education, or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for the purpose of determining applicants' fitness for employment or for providing volunteer or contractual services;

22. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and facilities operated by the Department for the purpose of determining an individual's fitness for employment pursuant to departmental instructions;

23. Pursuant to § 22.1-296.3, the governing boards or administrators of private or religious elementary or secondary schools which are accredited by a statewide accrediting organization recognized, prior to January 1, 1996, by the State Board of Education or a private organization coordinating such records information on behalf of such governing boards or administrators pursuant to a written agreement with the Department of State Police;

24. Public and nonprofit private colleges and universities for the purpose of screening individuals who are offered or accept employment;

25. Members of a threat assessment team established by a public institution of higher education pursuant to § 23-9.2:10, for the purpose of assessing or intervening with an individual whose behavior may present a threat to safety;

26. Executive directors of community services boards or the personnel director serving the community services board for the purpose of determining an individual's fitness for employment pursuant to §§ 37.2-506 and 37.2-607;

27. Executive directors of behavioral health authorities as defined in § 37.2-600 for the purpose of determining an individual's fitness for employment pursuant to §§ 37.2-506 and 37.2-607;

28. The Commissioner of the Department of Social Services for the purpose of locating persons who owe child support or who are alleged in a pending paternity proceeding to be a putative father, provided that only the name, address, demographics and social security number of the data subject shall be released;

29. Authorized officers or directors of agencies licensed pursuant to Article 2 (§ 37.2-403 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 37.2 by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for the purpose of determining if any applicant who accepts employment in any direct consumer care position has been convicted of a crime that affects their fitness to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of persons with mental illness, mental retardation and substance abuse pursuant to §§ 37.2-416, 37.2-506, and 37.2-607;

30. The Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, for the purpose of evaluating applicants for a motor carrier certificate or license subject to the provisions of Chapters 20 (§ 46.2-2000 et seq.) and 21 (§ 46.2-2100 et seq.) of Title 46.2;

31. The chairmen of the Committees for Courts of Justice of the Senate or the House of Delegates for the purpose of determining if any person being considered for election to any judgeship has been convicted of a crime;

32. Heads of state agencies in which positions have been identified as sensitive for the purpose of determining an individual's fitness for employment in positions designated as sensitive under Department of Human Resource Management policies developed pursuant to § 2.2-1201.1. Dissemination of criminal history record information to the agencies shall be limited to those positions generally described as directly responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the general populace or protection of critical infrastructures;

33. The Office of the Attorney General, for all criminal justice activities otherwise permitted under subdivision A 1 and for purposes of performing duties required by the Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators Act (§ 37.2-900 et seq.);

34. Shipyards, to the extent permitted by federal law or regulation, engaged in the design, construction, overhaul, or repair of nuclear vessels for the United States Navy, including their subsidiary companies, for the conduct of investigations of applications for employment or for access to facilities, by contractors, leased laborers, and other visitors;

35. Any employer of individuals whose employment requires that they enter the homes of others, for the purpose of screening individuals who apply for, are offered, or have accepted such employment;

36. Public agencies when and as required by federal or state law to investigate (i) applicants as providers of adult foster care and home-based services or (ii) any individual with whom the agency is considering placing an adult on an emergency, temporary, or permanent basis pursuant to § 63.2-1601.1, subject to the restriction that the data shall not be further disseminated by the agency to any party other than a federal or state authority or court as may be required to comply with an express requirement of law for such further dissemination, subject to limitations set out in subsection G;

37. The Department of Medical Assistance Services, or its designee, for the purpose of screening individuals who, through contracts, subcontracts, or direct employment, volunteer, apply for, are offered, or have accepted a position related to the provision of transportation services to enrollees in the Medicaid Program or the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) Program, or any other program administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services;

38. The State Corporation Commission for the purpose of investigating individuals who are members, senior officers, directors, and principals of an applicant for licensure as a mortgage lender or mortgage broker, or a licensed mortgage lender or mortgage broker for the purpose of investigating individuals applying for a position of employment in which the individual may have access to or process personal identifying or financial information from a member of the public, pursuant to Chapter 16 (§ 6.2-1600 et seq.) of Title 6.2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if an application for a mortgage lender or mortgage broker license is denied based in whole or in part on information obtained from the Central Criminal Records Exchange pursuant to § 6.2-1605, the Commissioner of Financial Institutions or his designee may disclose such information to the applicant or its designee;

39. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation for the purpose of investigating individuals for initial licensure pursuant to § 54.1-2106.1;

40. The Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services and the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired for the purpose of evaluating an individual's fitness for various types of employment and for the purpose of delivering comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services pursuant to Chapter 5 (§ 51.5-15 et seq.) Article 11 (§ 51.5-170 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 51.5 that will assist the individual in obtaining employment;

41. Bail bondsmen, in accordance with the provisions of § 19.2-120; and

42. Other entities as otherwise provided by law.

Upon an ex parte motion of a defendant in a felony case and upon the showing that the records requested may be relevant to such case, the court shall enter an order requiring the Central Criminal Records Exchange to furnish the defendant, as soon as practicable, copies of any records of persons designated in the order on whom a report has been made under the provisions of this chapter.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, upon a written request sworn to before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments, the Central Criminal Records Exchange, or the criminal justice agency in cases of offenses not required to be reported to the Exchange, shall furnish a copy of conviction data covering the person named in the request to the person making the request; however, such person on whom the data is being obtained shall consent in writing, under oath, to the making of such request. A person receiving a copy of his own conviction data may utilize or further disseminate that data as he deems appropriate. In the event no conviction data is maintained on the data subject, the person making the request shall be furnished at his cost a certification to that effect.

B. Use of criminal history record information disseminated to noncriminal justice agencies under this section shall be limited to the purposes for which it was given and may not be disseminated further.

C. No criminal justice agency or person shall confirm the existence or nonexistence of criminal history record information for employment or licensing inquiries except as provided by law.

D. Criminal justice agencies shall establish procedures to query the Central Criminal Records Exchange prior to dissemination of any criminal history record information on offenses required to be reported to the Central Criminal Records Exchange to ensure that the most up-to-date disposition data is being used. Inquiries of the Exchange shall be made prior to any dissemination except in those cases where time is of the essence and the normal response time of the Exchange would exceed the necessary time period. A criminal justice agency to whom a request has been made for the dissemination of criminal history record information that is required to be reported to the Central Criminal Records Exchange may direct the inquirer to the Central Criminal Records Exchange for such dissemination. Dissemination of information regarding offenses not required to be reported to the Exchange shall be made by the criminal justice agency maintaining the record as required by § 15.2-1722.

E. Criminal history information provided to licensed nursing homes, hospitals and to home care organizations pursuant to subdivision A 15 shall be limited to the convictions on file with the Exchange for any offense specified in §§ 32.1-126.01, 32.1-126.02, and 32.1-162.9:1.

F. Criminal history information provided to licensed assisted living facilities, licensed district homes for adults, and licensed adult day-care centers pursuant to subdivision A 16 shall be limited to the convictions on file with the Exchange for any offense specified in § 63.1-189.1 or 63.2-1720.

G. Criminal history information provided to public agencies pursuant to subdivision A 36 shall be limited to the convictions on file with the Exchange for any offense specified in § 63.2-1719.

H. Upon receipt of a written request from an employer or prospective employer, the Central Criminal Records Exchange, or the criminal justice agency in cases of offenses not required to be reported to the Exchange, shall furnish at the employer's cost a copy of conviction data covering the person named in the request to the employer or prospective employer making the request;, provided that the person on whom the data is being obtained has consented in writing to the making of such request and has presented a photo-identification to the employer or prospective employer. In the event no conviction data is maintained on the person named in the request, the requesting employer or prospective employer shall be furnished at his cost a certification to that effect. The criminal history record search shall be conducted on forms provided by the Exchange.

§ 22.1-214. Board to prepare special education program for children with disabilities.

A. The Board of Education shall prepare and supervise the implementation by each school division of a program of special education designed to educate and train children with disabilities between the ages defined in § 22.1-213 and may prepare and place in operation such program for such individuals of other ages. The program developed by the Board of Education shall be designed to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free and appropriate education, including specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of such children. The program shall require (i) that the hearing of each disabled child be tested prior to placement in a special education program and (ii) that a complete audiological assessment, including tests which will assess inner and middle ear functioning, be performed on each child who is hearing impaired or who fails the test required in clause (i). The school boards of the several school divisions, the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services, the Department of Health and other state and local agencies which can or may be able to assist in providing educational and related services shall assist and cooperate with the Board of Education in the development of such program.

B. The Board of Education shall prescribe procedures to afford due process to children with disabilities and their parents or guardians and to school divisions in resolving disputes as to program placements, individualized education programs, tuition eligibility and other matters as defined in state or federal statutes or regulations. These procedures shall encourage the use of mediation as an informal means of resolving such disputes. Mediation shall not, however, be used to deny or delay the due process rights of parents or guardians. The procedures shall require that all testimony be given under oath or affirmation administered by the hearing officer.

C. The Board of Education may provide for final decisions to be made by a hearing officer. The parents and the school division shall have the right to be represented by legal counsel or other representative before such hearing officer without being in violation of the provisions of § 54.1-3904.

D. Any party aggrieved by the findings and decision made pursuant to the procedures prescribed pursuant to subsections B and C may, within 180 days of such findings and decision, bring a civil action in the circuit court for the jurisdiction in which the school division is located. In any such action the court shall receive the records of the administrative proceedings, shall hear additional evidence at the request of a party, and basing its decision on the preponderance of the evidence, shall grant such relief as the court determines appropriate.

D1. In any action brought pursuant to subsection D, the court, in its discretion, may award reasonable attorney fees as part of the costs (i) to a prevailing party who is the parent of a child with a disability; (ii) to a prevailing party who is the Board of Education or a local school division against the attorney of a parent who files a complaint or a subsequent cause of action that is frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation, or against the attorney of a parent who continued to litigate after the litigation clearly became frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation; or (iii) to a prevailing party who is the Board of Education or a local school division against the attorney of a parent, or against the parent, if the parent's complaint or subsequent cause of action was presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass, to cause unnecessary delay, or to needlessly increase the cause of litigation.

Attorney fees may not be awarded relating to any meeting of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Team unless such meeting is convened as a result of an administrative proceeding or judicial action, or, at the discretion of the State, for a mediation described in subsection B.

E. Whenever the Board of Education, in its discretion, determines that a school division fails to establish and maintain programs of free and appropriate public education which comply with regulations established by the Board, the Board may withhold all special education moneys from the school division and may use the payments which would have been available to such school division to provide special education, directly or by contract, to eligible children with disabilities in such manner as the Board considers appropriate.

F. The Board of Education shall supervise educational programs for children with disabilities by other public agencies and shall ensure that the identification, evaluation and placement of children with disabilities and youth in education programs by other public agencies, as appropriate, are consistent with the provisions of the Board of Education's special education regulations.

G. The Board of Education shall prescribe regulations to provide a range of assessment procedures for the evaluation of children with disabilities. These regulations shall include provision for parents to participate, if they so request, in the consideration of the assessment components to be used. However, such regulations shall not require any local school board to exceed the requirements of federal law or regulations for the identification and evaluation of children with disabilities.

§ 22.1-217. Visually impaired children.

A. Special education for visually impaired children provided by a school division shall be established, maintained and operated jointly by the school board and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services subject to the regulations of the Board of Education. Braille instruction shall be included in the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP), whenever appropriate. When developing the IEP for students with visual impairment, the presumption shall be that proficiency in literacy is essential for such student to achieve satisfactory educational progress. However, use of Braille shall not be required if other special education services are more appropriate to the student's educational needs, and the provision of other appropriate services shall not preclude Braille instruction.

B. The Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall prepare and deliver a program of special education services in addition to the special education provided in the public school system designed to meet the educational needs of visually impaired children between the ages of birth and twenty-one and may prepare and deliver such programs for such individuals of other ages. In the development of such a program, the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall cooperate with the Board of Education and the school boards of the several school divisions. The Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall assist the Board of Education and the school boards of the several school divisions with in-service training in Braille for currently employed teachers of students who are blind and visually impaired.

C. As used in this section:

"Braille" means the system of reading and writing through touch and is commonly known as standard English Braille Grade 2.

"Program" means a modified program which provides special materials or services and may include the employment of itinerant teachers or resource room teachers for the visually impaired.

"Visually impaired" shall be defined by the Board of Education and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services.

§ 22.1-217.01. Information on educational and other services for students identified as hearing or visually impaired.

The Department of Education shall annually prepare and distribute to local school boards packets of information describing the educational and other services available through the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services, and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to students who are identified as hearing impaired or visually impaired. Local school boards shall annually distribute this information to the parents of those students who are identified as hearing impaired or visually impaired.

§ 22.1-253.13:5. Standard 5. Quality of classroom instruction and educational leadership.

A. Each member of the Board of Education shall participate in high-quality professional development programs on personnel, curriculum and current issues in education as part of his service on the Board.

B. Consistent with the finding that leadership is essential for the advancement of public education in the Commonwealth, teacher, administrator, and superintendent evaluations shall be consistent with the performance objectives included in the Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers, Administrators, and Superintendents. Teacher evaluations shall include regular observation and evidence that instruction is aligned with the school's curriculum. Evaluations shall include identification of areas of individual strengths and weaknesses and recommendations for appropriate professional activities.

C. The Board of Education shall provide guidance on high-quality professional development for (i) teachers, principals, supervisors, division superintendents and other school staff; (ii) administrative and supervisory personnel in the evaluation and documentation of teacher and administrator performance based on student academic progress and the skills and knowledge of such instructional or administrative personnel; (iii) school board members on personnel, curriculum and current issues in education; and (iv) programs in Braille for teachers of the blind and visually impaired, in cooperation with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services.

The Board shall also provide technical assistance on high-quality professional development to local school boards designed to ensure that all instructional personnel are proficient in the use of educational technology consistent with its comprehensive plan for educational technology.

D. Each local school board shall require (i) its members to participate annually in high-quality professional development activities at the state, local, or national levels on governance, including, but not limited to, personnel policies and practices; curriculum and instruction; use of data in planning and decision making; and current issues in education as part of their service on the local board and (ii) the division superintendent to participate annually in high-quality professional development activities at the local, state or national levels.

E. Each local school board shall provide a program of high-quality professional development (i) in the use and documentation of performance standards and evaluation criteria based on student academic progress and skills for teachers and administrators to clarify roles and performance expectations and to facilitate the successful implementation of instructional programs that promote student achievement at the school and classroom levels; (ii) as part of the license renewal process, to assist teachers and principals in acquiring the skills needed to work with gifted students, students with disabilities, and students who have been identified as having limited English proficiency and to increase student achievement and expand the knowledge and skills students require to meet the standards for academic performance set by the Board of Education; (iii) in educational technology for all instructional personnel which is designed to facilitate integration of computer skills and related technology into the curricula, and (iv) for administrative personnel designed to increase proficiency in instructional leadership and management, including training in the evaluation and documentation of teacher and administrator performance based on student academic progress and the skills and knowledge of such instructional or administrative personnel.

In addition, each local school board shall also provide teachers and principals with high-quality professional development programs each year in (i) instructional content; (ii) the preparation of tests and other assessment measures; (iii) methods for assessing the progress of individual students, including Standards of Learning assessment materials or other criterion-referenced tests that match locally developed objectives; (iv) instruction and remediation techniques in English, mathematics, science, and history and social science; (v) interpreting test data for instructional purposes; (vi) technology applications to implement the Standards of Learning; and (vii) effective classroom management.

F. Schools and school divisions shall include as an integral component of their comprehensive plans required by § 22.1-253.13:6, high-quality professional development programs that support the recruitment, employment, and retention of qualified teachers and principals. Each school board shall require all instructional personnel to participate each year in these professional development programs.

G. Each local school board shall annually review its professional development program for quality, effectiveness, participation by instructional personnel, and relevancy to the instructional needs of teachers and the academic achievement needs of the students in the school division.

§ 22.1-346.2. Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind established.

A. There is hereby established the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (Board), as a policy agency in the executive branch of state government under the name of the "Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind," for the purpose of governing the educational programs and services to deaf, blind, and multi-disabled students enrolled at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind.

B. The Board shall have a total membership of 11 members that shall consist of four legislative members and seven nonlegislative citizen members. Members shall be appointed as follows: two members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and seven nonlegislative citizen members, of whom one shall be a parent of a child who is deaf or blind representing the Eastern region of the Commonwealth, one shall be a parent of a child who is deaf or blind representing the Western region of the Commonwealth, and one shall be a representative of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind Alumni Association, to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Nonlegislative citizen members of the Board shall be citizens of the Commonwealth. Legislative members of the Board shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. After the initial staggering of terms, nonlegislative members appointed shall serve for four-year terms. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. All members may be reappointed. However, no House member shall serve more than four consecutive two-year terms, no Senate member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms, and no nonlegislative member appointed by the Governor shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment.

The Board shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership. The Board shall elect a secretary, who shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the Board and of the executive committee if one is created by the Board, and such other officers as the Board deems appropriate. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The Board shall meet no more than four times each year. The meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the members so request.

C. Legislative members of the Board shall receive such compensation as provided in § 30-19.12, and nonlegislative citizen members shall receive such compensation for the performance of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2813. All members shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for the costs of expenses of the members shall be provided from such funds as may be appropriated to the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, in accordance with the appropriations act.

D. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall designate a member of the staff of the Department of Education to serve as a consultant to the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind on matters pertaining to instruction, federal and state special education requirements, and school accreditation, and to provide technical assistance to assist the Board in meeting specific instructional and school accreditation needs.

E. The Board shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Establish such rules, policies, and regulations for the governance of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind.

2. Prescribe the criteria and procedures governing admissions to the school, and the review of student placement, to ensure the appropriateness of the placement and instructional program of each student admitted to the school, pursuant to § 22.1-348 and in accordance with federal and state special education laws and regulations.

3. Establish a policy governing the transportation of students at the school to permit frequent home visits by students, and to provide to each student transportation to and from the school and the place of residence of such student's parent or guardian whenever the school is officially closed.

4. Prescribe and approve the education programs of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, in consultation with the Department of Education, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services, and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

5. Appoint the superintendent, other officers, and the faculty of the school. The superintendent shall be appointed every two years and the other officers and faculty annually. However, the superintendent, with the approval of the chairman of the Board, shall be authorized to fill vacancies in positions appointed by the Board occurring between meetings of the Board. The Board may remove at any time the superintendent, other officers, faculty and employees for cause, subject to the provisions of Chapter 29 (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.) of Title 2.2.

6. Establish the qualifications, duties, and compensation of the superintendent, other officers, faculty, and employees of the school.

7. Prepare and submit to the Governor and General Assembly, beginning July 1, 2010, an annual report detailing the curricula and other educational programs and services of the school, including receipts and disbursements pertaining to the operation of the school for each fiscal year ending on June 30.

§ 30-326. (Expires July 1, 2014) Autism Advisory Council created; purpose; membership; staff.

A. The Autism Advisory Council (the Council) is established as an advisory council in the legislative branch of state government to promote coordination of services and resources among agencies involved in the delivery of services to Virginians with autism spectrum disorders and to increase public awareness of such services and resources.

B. The Council shall have a total membership of eight members that shall consist of six legislative members and two nonlegislative citizen members. Members shall be appointed as follows: two members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; four members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; and two nonlegislative citizen members, of whom one shall be a practicing pediatrician and one shall be an advocate for autism spectrum disorders, to be appointed by the Governor. The Council shall request the participation of the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Commissioner of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, the Commissioner of Health, the Commissioner of Social Services, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Executive Director of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, the Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Director of the Virginia Autism Resource Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, and the president of Commonwealth Autism Service, or their designees. Nonlegislative citizen members of the Council shall be citizens of the Commonwealth. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the chairman of the Council and the respective Clerk, nonlegislative citizen members shall only be reimbursed for travel originating and ending within the Commonwealth for the purpose of attending meetings.

C. Legislative members shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. All appointments of nonlegislative citizen members shall be for four-year terms. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. Legislative and citizen members may be reappointed; however, no citizen member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's term limit. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

Legislative members of the Council shall receive such compensation as provided in § 30-19.12 and nonlegislative citizen members shall receive such compensation as provided in § 2.2-2813 for their services. All members shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. However, all such compensation and expense payments shall be paid from existing appropriations to the Council or, if unfunded, shall be approved by the Joint Rules Committee.

D. The Council shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman annually, who shall be members of the General Assembly. A majority of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum. The Council shall meet no more than four times a year, upon the call of the chairman or the majority of the members.

E. Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Delegates, as may be appropriate for the house in which the chairman serves. The Division of Legislative Services shall provide legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the Council.

F. No recommendation of the Council shall be adopted if a majority of the Senate members or a majority of the House members appointed to the Council (i) vote against the recommendation and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the Council.

§ 32.1-23.1. Alternative delivery of certain information; Commissioners to develop single application form for pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount purchasing cards; certain analysis of access to The Pharmacy Connection program.

A. The Commissioner shall create links from the Virginia Department of Health's website to the Virginia Department for the Aging's Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services' website and its affiliated sites pertaining to pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount purchasing cards. The Commissioner of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall cooperate with the Commissioner of Health by ensuring that such information is available on the Department for the Aging's Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services' website.

B. The Commissioner shall ensure that all clinical sites administered by local health departments are provided with adequate information concerning the services of the Virginia Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, including, but not limited to, its toll-free telephone number and its website information on pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount purchasing cards.

C. The Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall coordinate the dissemination of information to the public regarding any pharmaceutical discount purchasing card programs while maintaining a neutral posture regarding such programs.

In addition, with such funds as may be made available, the Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall disseminate information to the public concerning recent congressional actions relating to pharmaceutical benefits to be provided under the Medicare program and how such benefits may help senior citizens with the costs of pharmaceutical benefits.

D. The Commissioner shall establish a toll-free telephone number, to be administered by the Virginia Department of Health, which shall provide recorded information concerning services available from the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and other appropriate organizations for senior citizens.

E. The Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall develop a strategy, in coordination with the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging and other private and nonprofit organizations, for disseminating information to the public concerning the availability of pharmaceutical assistance programs and for training senior citizen volunteers to assist in completing applications for pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount purchasing cards.

F. In addition to the responsibilities set forth in subsections A through E, the Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall encourage pharmaceutical manufacturers to include application forms for pharmaceutical discount purchasing card programs on their respective websites in a format capable of being downloaded and printed by consumers. When practicable, the website maintained by the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall include direct links to such forms. Further, the Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services shall report to the Governor and General Assembly by October 30, 2004, on the feasibility of developing a single application form for Virginians to use to seek eligibility for the nearly 50 pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount purchasing cards.

In determining feasibility, the Commissioners shall obtain copies of the application forms used by such pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount purchasing cards in Virginia, compile a list of the various information required to complete such application forms, identify common elements, and analyze the forms for readability and simplicity. Upon completion of this analysis, the Commissioners shall assess the feasibility of designing a single, concise application form that is logically formatted, written in clear and easily comprehensible language, and covers any and all data that may be required to obtain eligibility for any such pharmaceutical assistance program or pharmaceutical discount purchasing card.

G. In order to maximize the benefits of the new Medicare pharmaceutical discount card program for Virginia's senior citizens, the Commissioner of Health shall annually for two years commencing on July 1, 2005, (i) analyze access to The Pharmacy Connection program vis-a-vis the Medicare pharmaceutical discount card program, the $600 transitional coverage provided under federal law, and pharmaceutical companies' offers of "wrap-around" coverage for low-income seniors; and (ii) recommend, to the Virginia Health Care Foundation, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and the Governor, appropriate localities for expansion of access to The Pharmacy Connection program in Virginia, particularly in areas having high concentrations of low-income seniors. The goal of the Commissioner's analysis shall be to facilitate statewide implementation of The Pharmacy Connection program. The Commissioner shall complete this analysis by October 31 of each year and shall immediately request an estimate of the costs of the recommended expansion of such access from the Virginia Health Care Foundation to be forwarded to the Secretary and the Governor, for inclusion in the appropriation act, in so far as possible and appropriate to promote the health and safety of Virginia's senior citizens.

H. To assist them in completing the responsibilities set forth in subsections E, F, and G, the Commissioners may appoint an advisory task force of stakeholders.

§ 32.1-45.1. Deemed consent to testing and release of test results related to infection with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses.

A. Whenever any health care provider, or any person employed by or under the direction and control of a health care provider, is directly exposed to body fluids of a patient in a manner that may, according to the then current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmit human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses, the patient whose body fluids were involved in the exposure shall be deemed to have consented to testing for infection with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses. Such patient shall also be deemed to have consented to the release of such test results to the person who was exposed. In other than emergency situations, it shall be the responsibility of the health care provider to inform patients of this provision prior to providing them with health care services which create a risk of such exposure.

B. Whenever any patient is directly exposed to body fluids of a health care provider, or of any person employed by or under the direction and control of a health care provider, in a manner that may, according to the then current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmit human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses, the person whose body fluids were involved in the exposure shall be deemed to have consented to testing for infection with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses. Such person shall also be deemed to have consented to the release of such test results to the patient who was exposed.

C. For the purposes of this section, "health care provider" means any person, facility or agency licensed or certified to provide care or treatment by the Department of Health, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, or the Department of Social Services, any person licensed or certified by a health regulatory board within the Department of Health Professions except for the Boards of Funeral Directors and Embalmers and Veterinary Medicine or any personal care agency contracting with the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

D. "Health care provider," as defined in subsection C of this section, shall be deemed to include any person who renders emergency care or assistance, without compensation and in good faith, at the scene of an accident, fire, or any life-threatening emergency, or while en route therefrom to any hospital, medical clinic or doctor's office during the period while rendering such emergency care or assistance. The Department of Health shall provide appropriate counseling and opportunity for face-to-face disclosure of any test results to any such person.

E. Whenever any law-enforcement officer, salaried or volunteer firefighter, paramedic or emergency medical technician is directly exposed to body fluids of a person in a manner that may, according to the then current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmit human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses, the person whose body fluids were involved in the exposure shall be deemed to have consented to testing for infection with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses. Such person shall also be deemed to have consented to the release of such test results to the person who was exposed.

F. Whenever a person is directly exposed to the body fluids of a law-enforcement officer, salaried or volunteer firefighter, paramedic or emergency medical technician in a manner that may, according to the then current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmit human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses, the person whose body fluids were involved in the exposure shall be deemed to have consented to testing for infection with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses. The law-enforcement officer, salaried or volunteer firefighter, paramedic or emergency medical technician shall also be deemed to have consented to the release of such test results to the person who was exposed.

G. For the purposes of this section, "law-enforcement officer" means a person who is both (i) engaged in his public duty at the time of such exposure and (ii) employed by any sheriff's office, any adult or youth correctional facility, or any state or local law-enforcement agency, or any agency or department under the direction and control of the Commonwealth or any local governing body that employs persons who have law-enforcement authority.

H. Whenever any school board employee is directly exposed to body fluids of any person in a manner that may, according to the then current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmit human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses, the person whose body fluids were involved in the exposure shall be deemed to have consented to testing for infection with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses. Such person shall also be deemed to have consented to the release of such test results to the school board employee who was exposed. In other than emergency situations, it shall be the responsibility of the school board employee to inform the person of this provision prior to the contact that creates a risk of such exposure.

I. Whenever any person is directly exposed to the body fluids of a school board employee in a manner that may, according to the then current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmit human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses, the school board employee whose body fluids were involved in the exposure shall be deemed to have consented to testing for infection with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses. The school board employee shall also be deemed to have consented to the release of such test results to the person.

J. For the purposes of this section, "school board employee" means a person who is both (i) acting in the course of employment at the time of such exposure and (ii) employed by any local school board in the Commonwealth.

K. For purposes of this section, if the person whose blood specimen is sought for testing is a minor, and that minor refuses to provide such specimen, consent for obtaining such specimen shall be obtained from the parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis of such minor prior to initiating such testing. If the parent or guardian or person standing in loco parentis withholds such consent, or is not reasonably available, the person potentially exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses, or the employer of such person, may petition the juvenile and domestic relations district court in the county or city where the minor resides or resided, or, in the case of a nonresident, the county or city where the health care provider, law-enforcement agency or school board has its principal office or, in the case of a health care provider rendering emergency care pursuant to subsection D, the county or city where the exposure occurred, for an order requiring the minor to provide a blood specimen or to submit to testing and to disclose the test results in accordance with this section.

L. Except as provided in subsection K, if the person whose blood specimen is sought for testing refuses to provide such specimen, any person potentially exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C viruses, or the employer of such person, may petition the general district court of the county or city in which the person whose specimen is sought resides or resided, or, in the case of a nonresident, the county or city where the health care provider, law-enforcement agency or school board has its principal office or, in the case of a health care provider rendering emergency care pursuant to subsection D, the county or city where the exposure occurred, for an order requiring the person to provide a blood specimen or to submit to testing and to disclose the test results in accordance with this section. At any hearing before the court, the person whose specimen is sought or his counsel may appear. The court shall be advised by the Commissioner or his designee prior to entering any testing order. If a testing order is issued, both the petitioner and the person from whom the blood specimen is sought shall receive counseling and opportunity for face-to-face disclosure of any test results by a licensed practitioner or trained counselor.

§ 32.1-64.1. Virginia Hearing Impairment Identification and Monitoring System.

A. In order to identify hearing loss at the earliest possible age among newborns and to provide early intervention for all infants so identified as having hearing impairment, the Commissioner shall establish and maintain the Virginia Hearing Impairment Identification and Monitoring System. This system shall be for the purpose of identifying and monitoring infants with hearing impairment to ensure that such infants receive appropriate early intervention through treatment, therapy, training and education.

B. The Virginia Hearing Impairment Identification and Monitoring System shall be initiated in all hospitals with neonatal intensive care services, in all hospitals in the Commonwealth having newborn nurseries, and in other birthing places or centers in the Commonwealth having newborn nurseries.

C. In all hospitals with neonatal intensive care services, the chief medical officer of such hospitals or his designee shall identify infants at risk of hearing impairment using criteria established by the Board. Beginning on July 1, 1999, all infants shall be given a hearing screening test, regardless of whether or not the infant is at risk of hearing impairment, by the chief medical officer or his designee using methodology approved by the Board. The test shall take place before the infant is discharged from the hospital to the care of the parent or guardian, or as the Board may by regulation provide.

In all other hospitals and other birthing places or centers, the chief medical officer or his designee or the attending practitioner shall identify infants at risk of hearing impairment using criteria established by the Board.

D. Beginning on July 1, 2000, the Board shall provide by regulation for the giving of hearing screening tests for all infants born in all hospitals. The Board's regulations shall establish when the testing shall be offered and performed and procedures for reporting.

An infant whose hearing screening indicates the need for a diagnostic audiological examination shall be offered such examination at a center approved by the Board of Health. As a condition of such approval, such centers shall maintain suitable audiological support and medical and educational referral practices.

E. The Commissioner shall appoint an advisory committee to assist in the design, implementation, and revision of this identification and monitoring system. The advisory committee shall meet at least four times per year. A chairman shall be elected annually by the advisory committee. The Department of Health shall provide support services to the advisory committee. The advisory committee shall consist of representatives from relevant groups including, but not limited to, the health insurance industry; physicians, including at least one pediatrician or family practitioner, one otolaryngologist, and one neonatologist; nurses representing newborn nurseries; audiologists; hearing aid dealers and fitters; teachers of the deaf and hard-of-hearing hard of hearing; parents of children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing hard of hearing; adults who are deaf or hard-of-hearing hard of hearing; hospital administrators; and personnel of appropriate state agencies, including the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Department of Education, and the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing the Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services. The Department of Education, the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall cooperate with the Commissioner and the Board in implementing this system.

F. With the assistance of the advisory committee, the Board shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement this identification and monitoring system. These rules and regulations shall include criteria, including current screening methodology, for the identification of infants (i) with hearing impairment and (ii) at risk of hearing impairment and shall include the scope of the information to be reported, reporting forms, screening protocols, appropriate mechanisms for follow-up, relationships between the identification and monitoring system and other state agency programs or activities and mechanisms for review and evaluation of the activities of the system. The identification and monitoring system shall collect the name, address, sex, race, and any other information determined to be pertinent by the Board, regarding infants determined to be at risk of hearing impairment or to have hearing loss.

G. In addition, the Board's regulations shall provide that any person making a determination that an infant (i) is at risk for hearing impairment, (ii) has failed to pass a hearing screening, or (iii) was not successfully tested shall notify the parent or guardian of the infant, the infant's primary care practitioner, and the Commissioner.

H. No testing required to be performed or offered by this section shall be performed if the parents of the infant object to the test based on their bona fide religious convictions.

§ 32.1-102.1. Definitions.

As used in this article, unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Certificate" means a certificate of public need for a project required by this article.

"Clinical health service" means a single diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, preventive or palliative procedure or a series of such procedures that may be separately identified for billing and accounting purposes.

"Health planning region" means a contiguous geographical area of the Commonwealth with a population base of at least 500,000 persons which is characterized by the availability of multiple levels of medical care services, reasonable travel time for tertiary care, and congruence with planning districts.

"Medical care facility," as used in this title, means any institution, place, building or agency, whether or not licensed or required to be licensed by the Board or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, whether operated for profit or nonprofit and whether privately owned or privately operated or owned or operated by a local governmental unit, (i) by or in which health services are furnished, conducted, operated or offered for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of human disease, pain, injury, deformity or physical condition, whether medical or surgical, of two or more nonrelated mentally or physically sick or injured persons, or for the care of two or more nonrelated persons requiring or receiving medical, surgical or nursing attention or services as acute, chronic, convalescent, aged, physically disabled or crippled or (ii) which is the recipient of reimbursements from third-party health insurance programs or prepaid medical service plans. For purposes of this article, only the following medical care facilities shall be subject to review:

1. General hospitals.

2. Sanitariums.

3. Nursing homes.

4. Intermediate care facilities, except those intermediate care facilities established for individuals with mental retardation that have no more than 12 beds and are in an area identified as in need of residential services for individuals with mental retardation in any plan of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

5. Extended care facilities.

6. Mental hospitals.

7. Mental retardation facilities.

8. Psychiatric hospitals and intermediate care facilities established primarily for the medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with substance abuse.

9. Specialized centers or clinics or that portion of a physician's office developed for the provision of outpatient or ambulatory surgery, cardiac catheterization, computed tomographic (CT) scanning, stereotactic radiosurgery, lithotripsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic source imaging (MSI), positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning, radiation therapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, proton beam therapy, nuclear medicine imaging, except for the purpose of nuclear cardiac imaging, or such other specialty services as may be designated by the Board by regulation.

10. Rehabilitation hospitals.

11. Any facility licensed as a hospital.

The term "medical care facility" shall not include any facility of (i) the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; (ii) any nonhospital substance abuse residential treatment program operated by or contracted primarily for the use of a community services board under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services' Comprehensive State Plan; (iii) an intermediate care facility for individuals with mental retardation that has no more than 12 beds and is in an area identified as in need of residential services for people with mental retardation in any plan of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; (iv) a physician's office, except that portion of a physician's office described above in subdivision 9 of the definition of "medical care facility"; (v) the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center of the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services; (vi) the Department of Corrections; or (vii) the Department of Veterans Services. "Medical care facility" shall also not include that portion of a physician's office dedicated to providing nuclear cardiac imaging.

"Project" means:

1. Establishment of a medical care facility;

2. An increase in the total number of beds or operating rooms in an existing medical care facility;

3. Relocation of beds from one existing facility to another;, provided that "project" shall not include the relocation of up to 10 beds or 10 percent of the beds, whichever is less, (i) from one existing facility to another existing facility at the same site in any two-year period, or (ii) in any three-year period, from one existing nursing home facility to any other existing nursing home facility owned or controlled by the same person that is located either within the same planning district, or within another planning district out of which, during or prior to that three-year period, at least 10 times that number of beds have been authorized by statute to be relocated from one or more facilities located in that other planning district and at least half of those beds have not been replaced;, provided further that, however, a hospital shall not be required to obtain a certificate for the use of 10 percent of its beds as nursing home beds as provided in § 32.1-132;

4. Introduction into an existing medical care facility of any new nursing home service, such as intermediate care facility services, extended care facility services, or skilled nursing facility services, regardless of the type of medical care facility in which those services are provided;

5. Introduction into an existing medical care facility of any new cardiac catheterization, computed tomographic (CT) scanning, stereotactic radiosurgery, lithotripsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic source imaging (MSI), medical rehabilitation, neonatal special care, obstetrical, open heart surgery, positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning, psychiatric, organ or tissue transplant service, radiation therapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, proton beam therapy, nuclear medicine imaging, except for the purpose of nuclear cardiac imaging, substance abuse treatment, or such other specialty clinical services as may be designated by the Board by regulation, which the facility has never provided or has not provided in the previous 12 months;

6. Conversion of beds in an existing medical care facility to medical rehabilitation beds or psychiatric beds;

7. The addition by an existing medical care facility of any medical equipment for the provision of cardiac catheterization, computed tomographic (CT) scanning, stereotactic radiosurgery, lithotripsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic source imaging (MSI), open heart surgery, positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning, radiation therapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, proton beam therapy, or other specialized service designated by the Board by regulation. Replacement of existing equipment shall not require a certificate of public need;

8. Any capital expenditure of $15 million or more, not defined as reviewable in subdivisions 1 through 7 of this definition, by or in behalf of a medical care facility. However, capital expenditures between $5 and $15 million shall be registered with the Commissioner pursuant to regulations developed by the Board. The amounts specified in this subdivision shall be revised effective July 1, 2008, and annually thereafter to reflect inflation using appropriate measures incorporating construction costs and medical inflation; or

9. Conversion in an existing medical care facility of psychiatric inpatient beds approved under § 32.1-102.3:2 to nonpsychiatric inpatient beds.

"Regional health planning agency" means the regional agency, including the regional health planning board, its staff and any component thereof, designated by the Virginia Health Planning Board to perform the health planning activities set forth in this chapter within a health planning region.

"State Medical Facilities Plan" means the planning document adopted by the Board of Health which shall include, but not be limited to, (i) methodologies for projecting need for medical care facility beds and services; (ii) statistical information on the availability of medical care facilities and services; and (iii) procedures, criteria and standards for review of applications for projects for medical care facilities and services.

§ 32.1-116.1. Prehospital patient care reporting procedure; trauma registry; confidentiality.

A. In order to collect data on the incidence, severity and cause of trauma, integrate the information available from other state agencies on trauma and improve the delivery of prehospital and hospital emergency medical services, there is hereby established the Emergency Medical Services Patient Care Information System. The Emergency Medical Services Patient Care Information System shall include the Virginia Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Registry and the Virginia Statewide Trauma Registry.

All licensed emergency medical services agencies shall participate in the Virginia EMS Registry by making available to the Commissioner or his designees the minimum data set in the format prescribed by the Board or any other format which contain equivalent information and meets any technical specifications of the Board. The minimum data set shall include, but not be limited to, the type of medical emergency or nature of the call, the response time, the treatment provided and other items as prescribed by the Board.

Each licensed emergency medical services agency shall, upon request, disclose the prehospital care report to law-enforcement officials (i) when the patient is the victim of a crime or (ii) when the patient is in the custody of the law-enforcement officials and has received emergency medical services or has refused emergency medical services.

The Commissioner may delegate the responsibility for collection of this data to the Office of Emergency Medical Services personnel or individuals under contract to the Office. The Advisory Board shall assist in the design, implementation, subsequent revisions and analyses of the data from the Virginia EMS Registry.

B. All licensed hospitals which render emergency medical services shall participate in the Virginia Statewide Trauma Registry by making available to the Commissioner or his designees abstracts of the records of all patients admitted to the institutions with diagnoses related to trauma. The abstracts shall be submitted in the format prescribed by the Department and shall include the minimum data set prescribed by the Board.

The Commissioner shall seek the advice and assistance of the Advisory Board and the Trauma System Oversight and Management Committee in the design, implementation, subsequent revisions and analyses of the Virginia Statewide Trauma Registry.

C. Patient and other data or information submitted to the trauma registry or transmitted to the Commissioner, the Advisory Board, any committee acting on behalf of the Advisory Board, any hospital or prehospital care provider, any regional emergency medical services council, permitted emergency medical services agency, or other group or committee for the purpose of monitoring and improving the quality of care pursuant to § 32.1-111.3, shall be privileged and shall not be disclosed or obtained by legal discovery proceedings, unless a circuit court, after a hearing and for good cause shown arising from extraordinary circumstances, orders disclosure of such data.

D. The Commissioner shall make available and share all information contained in the Virginia Statewide Trauma Registry with the Virginia Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services so that the Department may develop and implement programs and services for persons suffering from brain injuries.

§ 32.1-127.1:04. Use or disclosure of certain protected health information required.

A. The coordination of prevention and control of disease, injury, or disability and the delivery of health care benefits are hereby declared to be (i) necessary public health activities; (ii) necessary health oversight activities for the integrity of the health care system; and (iii) necessary to prevent serious harm and serious threats to the health and safety of individuals and the public.

B. The Departments of Health, Medical Assistance Services, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Rehabilitative Services, and Social Services, and the Departments for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services and for the Blind and Vision Impaired, and the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, or any successors in interest thereof shall establish a secure system for sharing protected health information that may be necessary for the coordination of prevention and control of disease, injury, or disability and for the delivery of health care benefits when such protected information concerns individuals who (i) have contracted a reportable disease, including exposure to a toxic substance, as required by the Board of Health pursuant to § 32.1-35 or other disease or disability required to be reported by law; (ii) are the subjects of public health surveillance, public health investigations, or public health interventions or are applicants for or recipients of medical assistance services; (iii) have been or are the victims of child abuse or neglect or domestic violence; or (iv) may present a serious threat to health or safety of a person or the public or may be subject to a serious threat to their health or safety. For the purposes of this section, "public health interventions" shall include the services provided through the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, and the Departments for the Aging, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, and the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, or any successors in interest thereof.

Pursuant to the regulations concerning patient privacy promulgated by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, covered entities may disclose protected health information to the secure system without obtaining consent or authorization for such disclosure. Such protected health information shall be used exclusively for the purposes established in this section.

C. The Office of the Attorney General shall advise the Departments of Health, Medical Assistance Services, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Rehabilitative Services, and Social Services and the Departments for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services and for the Blind and Vision Impaired, and the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, or any successors in interest thereof, in the implementation of this section.

§ 32.1-283.5. Adult Fatality Review Team; duties; membership; confidentiality; penalties; report; etc.

A. There is hereby created the Adult Fatality Review Team, hereinafter referred to as the Team, which shall develop and implement procedures to ensure that adult deaths occurring in the Commonwealth are analyzed in a systematic way. The Team shall review the death of any adult, as defined in § 63.2-1603 51.5-144, (i) who was the subject of an adult protective services investigation, (ii) whose death was due to abuse or neglect or acts suggesting abuse or neglect, or (iii) whose death came under the jurisdiction of or was investigated by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pursuant to § 32.1-283. The Team shall not initiate an adult death review until the conclusion of any law-enforcement investigation or criminal prosecution.

B. The 17-member 16-member team shall consist of the following persons or their designees: the Chief Medical Examiner; the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; the Commissioner of the Virginia Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services; the Director of Adult Services/ a representative of the Adult Protective Services unit of the Department of Social Services, as designated by the Commissioner; the Director of the Office of Licensure and Certification of the Department of Health; and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. In addition, the Governor shall appoint one representative from each of the following entities: a licensed funeral services provider, the Medical Society of Virginia, and local departments of social services, emergency medical services, attorneys for the Commonwealth, law-enforcement agencies, nurses specializing in geriatric care, psychiatrists specializing in geriatric care, and long-term care providers. The Team further shall include two members appointed by the Governor who are advocates for elderly or disabled populations in Virginia. The Chief Medical Examiner shall serve as chair of the Team.

After the initial staggering of terms, members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term of four years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. All members may be reappointed. The Chief Medical Examiner shall serve terms coincident with his term in office.

C. Upon the request of the chair of the Team, made after the conclusion of any law-enforcement investigation or prosecution, information and records regarding an adult whose death is being reviewed by the Team shall be inspected and copied by the chair or his designee, including but not limited to any report of the circumstances of the event maintained by any state or local law-enforcement agency or medical examiner and information or records on the adult maintained by any facility that provided services to the adult, by any social services agency, or by any court. Information, records, or reports maintained by any attorney for the Commonwealth shall be made available for inspection and copying by the chair or his designee pursuant to procedures that shall be developed by the Chief Medical Examiner and the Commonwealth Attorneys Services Council established by § 2.2-2617. In addition, a health care provider shall provide the Team, upon request, with access to the health and mental health records of (i) the adult whose death is subject to review, without authorization; (ii) any adult relative of the deceased, with authorization; and (iii) any minor child of the deceased, with the authorization of the minor's parent or guardian. The chair of the Team also may copy and inspect the presentence report, prepared pursuant to § 19.2-299, of any person convicted of a crime that led to the death of the adult who is the subject of review by the Team.

D. All information obtained or generated by the Team regarding a review shall be confidential and excluded from the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) pursuant to subdivision 9 of § 2.2-3705.5. Such information shall not be subject to subpoena or discovery or be admissible in any civil or criminal proceeding. If available from other sources, however, such information and records shall not be immune from subpoena, discovery, or introduction into evidence when obtained through such other sources solely because the information and records were presented to the Team during an adult death review. The Team shall compile all information collected during a review. The findings of the Team may be disclosed or published in statistical or other form, but shall not identify any individuals.

E. All Team members and other persons attending closed Team meetings, including any persons presenting information or records on specific fatalities, shall execute a sworn statement to honor the confidentiality of the information, records, discussions, and opinions disclosed during meetings at which the Team reviews a specific death. No Team member or other person who participates in a review shall be required to make any statement regarding the review or any information collected during the review. Upon conclusion of a review, all information and records concerning the victim and the family shall be shredded or otherwise destroyed in order to ensure confidentiality. Violations of this subsection shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.

F. Upon notification of an adult death, any state or local government agency or facility that provided services to the adult or maintained records on the adult or the adult's family shall retain the records for the longer of 12 months or until such time as the Team has completed its review of the case.

G. The Team shall compile an annual report by October 1 of each year that shall be made available to the Governor and the General Assembly. The annual report shall include any policy, regulatory, or budgetary recommendations developed by the Team. Any statistical compilations prepared by the Team shall be public record and shall not contain any personally identifying information.

§ 32.1-330.3. Operation of a pre-PACE plan or PACE plan; oversight by Department of Medical Assistance Services.

A. Operation of a pre-PACE plan or PACE plan that participates in the medical assistance services program must be in accordance with a prepaid health plan contract or other PACE contract consistent with Chapter 6 of Title IV of the federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997 with the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

1. As used in this section, "pre-PACE" means of or associated with long-term care prepaid health plans (i) authorized by the United States U.S. Health Care Financing Administration pursuant to § 1903 (m) (2) (B) of Title XIX of the United States Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396b et seq.) and the state plan for medical assistance services as established pursuant to Chapter 10 (§ 32.1-323 et seq.) of this title and (ii) which have signed agreements with the Department of Medical Assistance Services as long-term care prepaid health plans.

2. As used in this section, "PACE" means of or associated with long-term care health plans (i) authorized as programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly by Subtitle I (§ 4801 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title IV of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Pub. L. No. 105-33, 111 Stat. 528 et seq., §§ 4801-4804, 1997, pursuant to Title XVIII and Title XIX of the United States Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395eee et seq.), and the state plan for medical assistance services as established pursuant to Chapter 10 (§ 32.1-323 et seq.) of this title and (ii) which have signed agreements with the Department of Medical Assistance Services as long-term care health plans.

B. All contracts and subcontracts shall contain an agreement to hold harmless the Department of Medical Assistance Services and pre-PACE and PACE enrollees in the event that a pre-PACE or PACE provider cannot or will not pay for services performed by the subcontractor pursuant to the contract or subcontract.

C. During the pre-PACE or PACE period, the plan shall have a fiscally sound operation as demonstrated by total assets being greater than total unsubordinated liabilities, sufficient cash flow and adequate liquidity to meet obligations as they become due, and a plan for handling insolvency approved by the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

D. The pre-PACE or PACE plan must demonstrate that it has arrangements in place in the amount of, at least, the sum of the following to cover expenses in the event of insolvency:

1. One month's total capitation revenue to cover expenses the month prior to insolvency; and

2. One month's average payment of operating expenses to cover potential expenses the month after the date of insolvency has been declared or operations cease.

The required arrangements to cover expenses shall be in accordance with the PACE Protocol as published by On Lok, Inc. in cooperation with the United States U.S. Health Care Financing Administration, as of April 14, 1995, or any successor protocol that may be agreed upon between the United States U.S. Health Care Financing Administration and On Lok, Inc.

Appropriate arrangements to cover expenses shall include one or more of the following: reasonable and sufficient net worth, insolvency insurance, letters of credit or parental guarantees.

E. Enrollment in a pre-PACE or PACE plan shall be restricted to those individuals who participate in programs authorized pursuant to Title XIX or Title XVIII of the United States Social Security Act, respectively.

F. Full disclosure shall be made to all individuals in the process of enrolling in the pre-PACE or PACE plan that services are not guaranteed beyond a thirty-day 30-day period.

G. The Board of Medical Assistance Services shall establish a Transitional Advisory Group to determine license requirements, regulations and ongoing oversight. The Advisory Group shall include representatives from each of the following organizations: Department of Medical Assistance Services, Department of Social Services, Department of Health, Bureau of Insurance, Board of Medicine, Board of Pharmacy, Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, and a pre-PACE or PACE provider.

§ 37.2-304. Duties of Commissioner.

The Commissioner shall be the chief executive officer of the Department and shall have the following duties and powers:

1. To supervise and manage the Department and its state facilities.

2. To employ the personnel required to carry out the purposes of this title.

3. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of the Department's duties and the execution of its powers under this title, including contracts with the United States, other states, and agencies and governmental subdivisions of the Commonwealth, consistent with policies and regulations of the Board and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.

4. To accept, hold, and enjoy gifts, donations, and bequests on behalf of the Department from the United States government, agencies and instrumentalities thereof, and any other source, subject to the approval of the Governor. To these ends, the Commissioner shall have the power to comply with conditions and execute agreements that may be necessary, convenient, or desirable, consistent with policies and regulations of the Board.

5. To accept, execute, and administer any trust in which the Department may have an interest, under the terms of the instruments creating the trust, subject to the approval of the Governor.

6. To transfer between state hospitals and training centers school-age consumers who have been identified as appropriate to be placed in public school programs and to negotiate with other school divisions for placements in order to ameliorate the impact on those school divisions located in a jurisdiction in which a state hospital or training center is located.

7. To provide to the Director of the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy, pursuant to § 51.5-39.12, a written report setting forth the known facts of critical incidents or deaths of consumers in facilities within 15 working days of the critical incident or death.

8. To work with the appropriate state and federal entities to ensure that any person who has been a consumer in a state facility for more than one year has possession of or receives prior to discharge any of the following documents, when they are needed to obtain the services contained in his discharge plan: a Department of Motor Vehicles approved identification card that will expire 90 days from issuance, a copy of his birth certificate if the consumer was born in the Commonwealth, or a social security card from the Social Security Administration. State facility directors, as part of their responsibilities pursuant to § 37.2-837, shall implement this provision when discharging consumers.

9. To work with the Department of Veterans Services and the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services to establish a program for mental health and rehabilitative services for Virginia veterans and members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service and their family members pursuant to § 2.2-2001.1.

10. To establish and maintain a pharmaceutical and therapeutics committee composed of representatives of the Department of Medical Assistance Services, state facilities operated by the Department, community services boards, at least one health insurance plan, and at least one consumer to develop a drug formulary for use at all community services boards, state facilities operated by the Department, and providers licensed by the Department.

Unless specifically authorized by the Governor to accept or undertake activities for compensation, the Commissioner shall devote his entire time to his duties.

§ 37.2-312.1. Department to be lead agency for suicide prevention across the lifespan.

With such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose, the Department, in consultation with community services boards and behavioral health authorities, the Department of Health, local departments of health, and the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, shall have the lead responsibility for the suicide prevention across the lifespan program. The Department shall coordinate the activities of the agencies of the Commonwealth pertaining to suicide prevention in order to develop and carry out a comprehensive suicide prevention plan addressing public awareness, the promotion of health development, early identification, intervention and treatment, and support to survivors. The Department shall cooperate with federal, state, and local agencies, private and public agencies, survivor groups, and other interested persons to prevent suicide.

§ 37.2-504. Community services boards; local government departments; powers and duties.

A. Every operating and administrative policy community services board and local government department with a policy-advisory board shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Review and evaluate public and private community mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services and facilities that receive funds from it and advise the governing body of each city or county that established it as to its findings.

2. Pursuant to § 37.2-508, submit to the governing body of each city or county that established it an annual performance contract for community mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services for its approval prior to submission of the contract to the Department.

3. Within amounts appropriated for this purpose, provide services authorized under the performance contract.

4. In accordance with its approved performance contract, enter into contracts with other providers for the delivery of services or operation of facilities.

5. In the case of operating and administrative policy boards, make policies or regulations concerning the delivery of services and operation of facilities under its direction or supervision, subject to applicable policies and regulations adopted by the Board.

6. In the case of an operating board, appoint an executive director of community mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services, who meets the minimum qualifications established by the Department, and prescribe his duties. The compensation of the executive director shall be fixed by the operating board within the amounts made available by appropriation for this purpose. The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the operating board and be employed under an annually renewable contract that contains performance objectives and evaluation criteria. For an operating board, the Department shall approve the selection of the executive director for adherence to minimum qualifications established by the Department and the salary range of the executive director. In the case of an administrative policy board, the board shall participate with local government in the appointment and annual performance evaluation of an executive director of community mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services, who meets the minimum qualifications established by the Department, and prescribe his duties. The compensation of the executive director shall be fixed by local government in consultation with the administrative policy board within the amounts made available by appropriation for this purpose. In the case of a local government department with a policy-advisory board, the director of the local government department shall serve as the executive director. The policy-advisory board shall participate in the selection and the annual performance evaluation of the executive director, who meets the minimum qualifications established by the Department. The compensation of the executive director shall be fixed by local government in consultation with the policy-advisory board within the amounts made available by appropriation for this purpose.

7. Prescribe a reasonable schedule of fees for services provided by personnel or facilities under the jurisdiction or supervision of the board and establish procedures for the collection of those fees. All fees collected shall be included in the performance contract submitted to the local governing body or bodies pursuant to subdivision 2 of this section and § 37.2-508 and shall be used only for community mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse purposes. Every board shall institute a reimbursement system to maximize the collection of fees from persons receiving services under its jurisdiction or supervision, consistent with the provisions of § 37.2-511, and from responsible third party payors. Boards shall not attempt to bill or collect fees for time spent participating in commitment hearings for involuntary admissions pursuant to Article 5 (§ 37.2-814 et seq.) of Chapter 8.

8. Accept or refuse gifts, donations, bequests, or grants of money or property from any source and utilize them as authorized by the governing body of each city or county that established it.

9. Seek and accept funds through federal grants. In accepting federal grants, the board shall not bind the governing body of any city or county that established it to any expenditures or conditions of acceptance without the prior approval of the governing body.

10. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, disburse funds appropriated to it in accordance with such regulations as may be established by the governing body of each city or county that established it.

11. Apply for and accept loans as authorized by the governing body of each city or county that established it.

12. Develop joint written agreements, consistent with policies adopted by the Board, with local school divisions; health departments; boards of social services; housing agencies, where they exist; courts; sheriffs; area agencies on aging; and regional offices of the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services offices. The agreements shall specify the services to be provided to consumers. All participating agencies shall develop and implement the agreements and shall review the agreements annually.

13. Develop and submit to the Department the necessary information for the preparation of the Comprehensive State Plan for mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services pursuant to § 37.2-315.

14. Take all necessary and appropriate actions to maximize the involvement and participation of consumers and family members of consumers in policy formulation and services planning, delivery, and evaluation.

15. Institute, singly or in combination with other community services boards or behavioral health authorities, a dispute resolution mechanism that is approved by the Department and enables consumers and family members of consumers to resolve concerns, issues, or disagreements about services without adversely affecting their access to or receipt of appropriate types and amounts of current or future services from the community services board.

16. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 37.2-400 or any regulations adopted thereunder, release data and information about individual consumers to the Department so long as the Department implements procedures to protect the confidentiality of that data and information.

17. In the case of administrative policy boards and local government departments with policy-advisory boards, carry out other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the governing body of each city or county that established it.

18. In the case of operating boards, have authority, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, to receive state and federal funds directly from the Department and act as its own fiscal agent, when authorized to do so by the governing body of each city or county that established it.

By local agreement between the administrative policy board and the governing body of the city or county that established it, additional responsibilities may be carried out by the local government, including personnel or financial management. In the case of an administrative policy board established by more than one city or county, the cities and counties shall designate which local government shall assume these responsibilities.

B. Every policy-advisory community services board, with staff support provided by the director of the local government department, shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Advise the local government regarding policies or regulations for the delivery of services and operation of facilities by the local government department, subject to applicable policies and regulations adopted by the Board.

2. Review and evaluate the operations of the local government department and advise the local governing body of each city or county that established it as to its findings.

3. Review the community mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services provided by the local government department and advise the local governing body of each city or county that established it as to its findings.

4. Review and comment on the annual performance contract, performance reports, and Comprehensive State Plan information developed by the local government department. The board's comments shall be attached to the performance contract, performance reports, and Comprehensive State Plan information prior to their submission to the local governing body of each city or county that established it and to the Department.

5. Advise the local government as to the necessary and appropriate actions to maximize the involvement and participation of consumers and family members of consumers in policy formulation and services planning, delivery, and evaluation.

6. Participate in the selection and the annual performance evaluation of the local government department director employed by the city or county.

7. Carry out other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the governing body of each city or county that established it.

§ 37.2-505. Coordination of services for preadmission screening and discharge planning.

A. The community services board shall fulfill the following responsibilities:

1. Be responsible for coordinating the community services necessary to accomplish effective preadmission screening and discharge planning for persons referred to the community services board. When preadmission screening reports are required by the court on an emergency basis pursuant to Article 5 (§ 37.2-814 et seq.) of Chapter 8, the community services board shall ensure the development of the report for the court. To accomplish this coordination, the community services board shall establish a structure and procedures involving staff from the community services board and, as appropriate, representatives from (i) the state hospital or training center serving the board's service area, (ii) the local department of social services, (iii) the health department, (iv) the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services office in the board's service area, (v) the local school division, and (vi) other public and private human services agencies, including licensed hospitals.

2. Provide preadmission screening services prior to the admission for treatment pursuant to § 37.2-805 or Article 5 (§ 37.2-814 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of any person who requires emergency mental health services while in a city or county served by the community services board.

3. Provide, in consultation with the appropriate state hospital or training center, discharge planning for any person who, prior to admission, resided in a city or county served by the community services board or who chooses to reside after discharge in a city or county served by the board and who is to be released from a state hospital or training center pursuant to § 37.2-837. The discharge plan shall be completed prior to the person's discharge. The plan shall be prepared with the involvement and participation of the consumer or his representative and must reflect the consumer's preferences to the greatest extent possible. The plan shall include the mental health, mental retardation, substance abuse, social, educational, medical, employment, housing, legal, advocacy, transportation, and other services that the consumer will need upon discharge into the community and identify the public or private agencies that have agreed to provide these services.

No person shall be discharged from a state hospital or training center without completion by the community services board of the discharge plan described in this subdivision. If state hospital or training center staff identify a consumer as ready for discharge and the community services board that is responsible for the person's care disagrees, the community services board shall document in the treatment plan within 30 days of the person's identification any reasons for not accepting the person for discharge. If the state hospital or training center disagrees with the community services board and the board refuses to develop a discharge plan to accept the person back into the community, the state hospital or training center or the community services board shall ask the Commissioner to review the state hospital's or training center's determination that the person is ready for discharge in accordance with procedures established by the Department in collaboration with state hospitals, training centers, and community services boards. If the Commissioner determines that the person is ready for discharge, a discharge plan shall be developed by the Department to ensure the availability of adequate services for the consumer and the protection of the community. The Commissioner also shall verify that sufficient state-controlled funds have been allocated to the community services board through the performance contract. If sufficient state-controlled funds have been allocated, the Commissioner may contract with a private provider, another community services board, or a behavioral health authority to deliver the services specified in the discharge plan and withhold allocated funds applicable to that consumer's discharge plan from the community services board in accordance with subsections C and E of § 37.2-508.

B. The community services board may perform the functions set out in subdivision A 1 in the case of children by referring them to the locality's family assessment and planning team and by cooperating with the community policy and management team in the coordination of services for troubled youths and their families. The community services board may involve the family assessment and planning team and the community policy and management team, but it remains responsible for performing the functions set out in subdivisions A 2 and A 3 in the case of children.

§ 37.2-605. Behavioral health authorities; powers and duties.

Every authority shall be deemed to be a public instrumentality, exercising public and essential governmental functions to provide for the public mental health, welfare, convenience, and prosperity of the residents and such other persons who might be served by the authority and to provide behavioral health services to those residents and persons. An authority shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Review and evaluate public and private community mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services and facilities that receive funds from the authority and advise the governing body of the city or county that established it as to its findings.

2. Pursuant to § 37.2-608, submit to the governing body of the city or county that established the authority an annual performance contract for community mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services for its approval prior to submission of the contract to the Department.

3. Within amounts appropriated for this purpose, provide services authorized under the performance contract.

4. In accordance with its approved performance contract, enter into contracts with other providers for the delivery of services or operation of facilities.

5. Make and enter into all other contracts or agreements as the authority may determine that are necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and to the execution of powers granted by this chapter, including contracts with any federal agency, any subdivision or instrumentality of the Commonwealth, behavioral health providers, insurers, and managed care or health care networks on such terms and conditions as the authority may approve.

6. Make policies or regulations concerning the delivery of services and operation of facilities under its direction or supervision, subject to applicable policies and regulations adopted by the Board.

7. Appoint a chief executive officer of the behavioral health authority, who meets the minimum qualifications established by the Department, and prescribe his duties. The compensation of the chief executive officer shall be fixed by the authority within the amounts made available by appropriation for this purpose. The chief executive officer shall serve at the pleasure of the authority's board of directors and be employed under an annually renewable contract that contains performance objectives and evaluation criteria. The Department shall approve the selection of the chief executive officer for adherence to minimum qualifications established by the Department and the salary range of the chief executive officer.

8. Authorize the chief executive officer to maintain a complement of professional staff to operate the behavioral health authority's service delivery system.

9. Prescribe a reasonable schedule of fees for services provided by personnel or facilities under the jurisdiction or supervision of the authority and establish procedures for the collection of those fees. All fees collected shall be included in the performance contract submitted to the local governing body pursuant to subdivision 2 of this section and § 37.2-608 and shall be used only for community mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse purposes. Every authority shall institute a reimbursement system to maximize the collection of fees from persons receiving services under the jurisdiction or supervision of the authority, consistent with the provisions of § 37.2-612, and from responsible third party payors. Authorities shall not attempt to bill or collect fees for time spent participating in commitment hearings for involuntary admissions pursuant to Article 5 (§ 37.2-814 et seq.) of Chapter 8.

10. Accept or refuse gifts, donations, bequests, or grants of money or property or other assistance from the federal government, the Commonwealth, any municipality thereof, or any other sources, public or private; utilize them to carry out any of its purposes; and enter into any agreement or contract regarding or relating to the acceptance, use, or repayment of any such grant or assistance.

11. Seek and accept funds through federal grants. In accepting federal grants, the authority shall not bind the governing body of the city or county that established it to any expenditures or conditions of acceptance without the prior approval of that governing body.

12. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, disburse funds appropriated to it in accordance with applicable regulations.

13. Apply for and accept loans in accordance with regulations established by the board of directors.

14. Develop joint written agreements, consistent with policies adopted by the Board, with local school divisions; health departments; local boards of social services; housing agencies, where they exist; courts; sheriffs; area agencies on aging; and regional offices of the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services offices. The agreements shall specify the services to be provided to consumers. All participating agencies shall develop and implement the agreements and shall review the agreements annually.

15. Develop and submit to the Department the necessary information for the preparation of the Comprehensive State Plan for Behavioral Health and Developmental Services pursuant to § 37.2-315.

16. Take all necessary and appropriate actions to maximize the involvement and participation of consumers and family members of consumers in policy formulation and service planning, delivery, and evaluation.

17. Institute, singly or in combination with community services boards or other behavioral health authorities, a dispute resolution mechanism that is approved by the Department and enables consumers and family members of consumers to resolve concerns, issues, or disagreements about services without adversely affecting their access to or receipt of appropriate types and amounts of current or future services from the authority.

18. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 37.2-400 and regulations adopted thereunder, release data and information about individual consumers to the Department, so long as the Department implements procedures to protect the confidentiality of that data and information. Every authority shall submit data on children and youth in the same manner as community services boards, as set forth in § 37.2-507.

19. Fulfill all other duties and be subject to applicable provisions specified in the Code of Virginia pertaining to community services boards.

20. Make loans and provide other assistance to corporations, partnerships, associations, joint ventures, or other entities in carrying out any activities authorized by this chapter.

21. Transact its business, locate its offices and control, directly or through stock or nonstock corporations or other entities, facilities that will assist the authority in carrying out the purposes and intent of this chapter, including without limitations the power to own or operate, directly or indirectly, behavioral health facilities in its service area.

22. Acquire property, real or personal, by purchase, gift, or devise on such terms and conditions and in such manner as it may deem proper and such rights, easements, or estates therein as may be necessary for its purposes and sell, lease, and dispose of the same or any portion thereof or interest therein, whenever it shall become expedient to do so.

23. Participate in joint ventures with individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, or other entities for providing behavioral health care or related services or other activities that the authority may undertake to the extent that such undertakings assist the authority in carrying out the purposes and intent of this chapter.

24. Conduct or engage in any lawful business, activity, effort, or project that is necessary or convenient for the purposes of the authority or for the exercise of any of its powers.

25. As a public instrumentality, establish and operate its administrative management infrastructure in whole or in part independent of the local governing body; however, nothing in the chapter precludes behavioral health authorities from acquiring support services through existing governmental entities.

26. Carry out capital improvements and bonding through existing economic or industrial development authorities.

27. Establish retirement, group life insurance, and group accident and sickness insurance plans or systems for its employees in the same manner as cities, counties, and towns are permitted to do under § 51.1-801.

28. Provide an annual report to the Department of the authority's activities.

29. Ensure a continuation of all consumer services during any transition period.

§ 37.2-802. Interpreters in admission or certification proceedings.

A. In any proceeding pursuant to § 37.2-806 or §§ 37.2-809 through 37.2-820 in which a person who is deaf is alleged to have mental retardation or mental illness, an interpreter for the person shall be appointed by the district court judge or special justice before whom the proceeding is pending from a list of qualified interpreters provided by the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Aging, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Rehabilitative Services. The interpreter shall be compensated as provided for in § 37.2-804.

B. In any proceeding pursuant to § 37.2-806 or §§ 37.2-809 through 37.2-820 in which a non-English-speaking person is alleged to have mental retardation or mental illness or is a witness in such proceeding, an interpreter for the person shall be appointed by the district court judge or special justice, or in the case of §§ 37.2-809 through 37.2-813 a magistrate, before whom the proceeding is pending. Failure to appoint an interpreter when an interpreter is not reasonably available or when the person's level of English fluency cannot be determined shall not be a basis to dismiss the petition or void the order entered at the proceeding. The compensation for the interpreter shall be fixed by the court in accordance with the guidelines set by the Judicial Council of Virginia and shall be paid out of the state treasury.

§ 37.2-1000. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Advance directive" shall have the same meaning as provided in the Health Care Decisions Act (§ 54.1-2981 et seq.).

"Conservator" means a person appointed by the court who is responsible for managing the estate and financial affairs of an incapacitated person and, where the context plainly indicates, includes a "limited conservator" or a "temporary conservator." The term includes (i) a local or regional program designated by the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services as a public conservator pursuant to Article 2 (§ 2.2-711 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 2.2 Article 6 (§ 51.5-149 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 51.5 or (ii) any local or regional tax-exempt charitable organization established pursuant to § 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide conservatorial services to incapacitated persons. Such tax-exempt charitable organization shall not be a provider of direct services to the incapacitated person. If a tax-exempt charitable organization has been designated by the Virginia Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services as a public conservator, it may also serve as a conservator for other individuals.

"Estate" includes both real and personal property.

"Guardian" means a person appointed by the court who is responsible for the personal affairs of an incapacitated person, including responsibility for making decisions regarding the person's support, care, health, safety, habilitation, education, therapeutic treatment, and, if not inconsistent with an order of involuntary admission, residence. Where the context plainly indicates, the term includes a "limited guardian" or a "temporary guardian." The term includes a (i) local or regional program designated by the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services as a public guardian pursuant to Article 2 (§ 2.2-711 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 2.2 Article 6 (§ 51.5-149 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 51.5 or (ii) any local or regional tax-exempt charitable organization established pursuant to § 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide guardian services to incapacitated persons. Such tax-exempt charitable organization shall not be a provider of direct services to the incapacitated person. If a tax-exempt charitable organization has been designated by the Virginia Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services as a public guardian, it may also serve as a guardian for other individuals.

"Incapacitated person" means an adult who has been found by a court to be incapable of receiving and evaluating information effectively or responding to people, events, or environments to such an extent that the individual lacks the capacity to (i) meet the essential requirements for his health, care, safety, or therapeutic needs without the assistance or protection of a guardian or (ii) manage property or financial affairs or provide for his support or for the support of his legal dependents without the assistance or protection of a conservator. A finding that the individual displays poor judgment alone shall not be considered sufficient evidence that the individual is an incapacitated person within the meaning of this definition. A finding that a person is incapacitated shall be construed as a finding that the person is "mentally incompetent" as that term is used in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia and Title 24.2 unless the court order entered pursuant to this chapter specifically provides otherwise.

"Limited conservator" means a person appointed by the court who has only those responsibilities for managing the estate and financial affairs of an incapacitated person as specified in the order of appointment.

"Limited guardian" means a person appointed by the court who has only those responsibilities for the personal affairs of an incapacitated person as specified in the order of appointment.

"Property" includes both real and personal property.

"Respondent" means an allegedly incapacitated person for whom a petition for guardianship or conservatorship has been filed.

§ 37.2-1010. Eligibility for public guardian or conservator.

The circuit court may appoint a local or regional program authorized by the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services pursuant to Article 2 (§ 2.2-711 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 2.2 Article 6 (§ 51.5-149 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 51.5 as the guardian or conservator for any resident of the Commonwealth who is found to be incapacitated if the court finds that (i) the incapacitated person's resources are insufficient to fully compensate a private guardian and pay court costs and fees associated with the appointment proceeding and (ii) there is no other proper and suitable person willing and able to serve in such capacity or there is no guardian or conservator appointed within one month of adjudication pursuant to § 37.2-1015. The guidelines for determining indigency set forth in § 19.2-159 shall be used by the court in determining the sufficiency of the respondent's estate. If the respondent would be eligible for the appointment of counsel pursuant to § 19.2-159, he shall be eligible for the appointment of a public guardian or conservator pursuant to this section.

§ 37.2-1015. When no guardian or conservator appointed within one month of adjudication.

If a person is adjudicated incapacitated and in need of a guardian or conservator and the court has not identified any person to serve as guardian or conservator within one month from the adjudication, the court may appoint a local or regional program of the Virginia Public Guardian and Conservator Program authorized by the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services pursuant to Article 2 (§ 2.2-711 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 2.2 Article 6 (§ 51.5-149 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 51.5. If there is no such local or regional program within the court's jurisdiction, the court may appoint any local or regional program within 60 miles of the residence of the incapacitated person as identified by the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services. However, the court shall not appoint any such local or regional program that has reached or exceeded its ideal ratio of clients to staff pursuant to regulations adopted by the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services under § 2.2-712 51.5-150.

If any person appointed as a fiduciary under this title refuses the trust or fails to give bond as required within one month from the date of his appointment, the court, on motion of any interested person, may appoint some other person as fiduciary, taking from the fiduciary the bond required, or shall commit the estate of the respondent to the sheriff of the county or city of which the respondent is an inhabitant; the sheriff shall be the fiduciary, and he and the sureties in his official bond shall be bound for the faithful performance of the trust.

§ 46.2-221. Certain state agencies to report to Department concerning the blind and nearly blind; use of such information by Department; Department to report names of persons refused licenses for defective vision; reports to law-enforcement agencies concerning certain blind or visually impaired persons who operate motor vehicles.

Every state agency having knowledge of the blind or visually handicapped, maintaining any register of the blind, or administering either tax deductions or exemptions for or aid to the blind or visually handicapped shall report in January of each year to the Department the names of all persons so known, registered or benefiting from such deductions or exemptions, for aid to the blind or visually handicapped. This information shall be used by the Department only for the purpose of determining qualifications of these persons for licensure under Chapter 3 of this title (§ 46.2-300 et seq.). If any such state agency has knowledge that any person so reported continues to operate a motor vehicle, such agency may provide this information to appropriate law-enforcement agencies as otherwise permitted by law.

The Department shall report to the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired and the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services at least annually the name and address of every person who has been refused a driver's license solely or partly because of failure to pass the Department's visual examination.

If any employee of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired makes a report to the Department of Motor Vehicles or provides information to an appropriate law-enforcement agency as required or permitted by this section concerning any client of the agency, it shall not be deemed to have been made in violation of the client-agency relationship.

§ 46.2-411. Reinstatement of suspended or revoked license or other privilege to operate or register a motor vehicle; proof of financial responsibility; reinstatement fee.

A. The Commissioner may refuse, after a hearing if demanded, to issue to any person whose license has been suspended or revoked any new or renewal license, or to register any motor vehicle in the name of the person, whenever he deems or in case of a hearing finds it necessary for the safety of the public on the highways in the Commonwealth.

B. Before granting or restoring a license or registration to any person whose driver's license or other privilege to drive motor vehicles or privilege to register a motor vehicle has been revoked or suspended pursuant to § 46.2-389, 46.2-391, 46.2-391.1, or 46.2-417, the Commissioner shall require proof of financial responsibility in the future as provided in Article 15 (§ 46.2-435 et seq.) of this chapter, but no person shall be licensed who may not be licensed under the provisions of §§ 46.2-389 through 46.2-431.

C. Whenever the driver's license or registration cards, license plates and decals, or other privilege to drive or to register motor vehicles of any resident or nonresident person is suspended or revoked by the Commissioner or by a district court or circuit court pursuant to the provisions of Title 18.2 or this title, or any valid local ordinance, the order of suspension or revocation shall remain in effect and the driver's license, registration cards, license plates and decals, or other privilege to drive or register motor vehicles shall not be reinstated and no new driver's license, registration cards, license plates and decals, or other privilege to drive or register motor vehicles shall be issued or granted unless such person, in addition to complying with all other provisions of law, pays to the Commissioner a reinstatement fee of $30. The reinstatement fee shall be increased by $30 whenever such suspension or revocation results from conviction of involuntary manslaughter in violation of § 18.2-36.1; conviction of maiming resulting from driving while intoxicated in violation of § 18.2-51.4; conviction of driving while intoxicated in violation of § 18.2-266 or 46.2-341.24; conviction of driving after illegally consuming alcohol in violation of § 18.2-266.1 or failure to comply with court imposed conditions pursuant to subsection D of § 18.2-271.1; unreasonable refusal to submit to drug or alcohol testing in violation of § 18.2-268.2; conviction of driving while a license, permit or privilege to drive was suspended or revoked in violation of § 46.2-301 or 46.2-341.21; disqualification pursuant to § 46.2-341.20; violation of driver's license probation pursuant to § 46.2-499; failure to attend a driver improvement clinic pursuant to § 46.2-503 or habitual offender interventions pursuant to former § 46.2-351.1; conviction of eluding police in violation of § 46.2-817; conviction of hit and run in violation of § 46.2-894; conviction of reckless driving in violation of Article 7 (§ 46.2-852 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 46.2 or a conviction, finding or adjudication under any similar local ordinance, federal law or law of any other state. Five dollars of the additional amount shall be retained by the Department as provided in this section and $25 dollars shall be transferred to the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund established pursuant to Chapter 3.1 (§ 51.5-12.1 et seq.) Article 12 (§ 51.5-178 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 51.5. When three years have elapsed from the termination date of the order of suspension or revocation and the person has complied with all other provisions of law, the Commissioner may relieve him of paying the reinstatement fee.

D. No reinstatement fee shall be required when the suspension or revocation of license results from the person's suffering from mental or physical infirmities or disabilities from natural causes not related to the use of self-administered intoxicants or drugs. No reinstatement fee shall be collected from any person whose license is suspended by a court of competent jurisdiction for any reason, other than a cause for mandatory suspension as provided in this title, provided the court ordering the suspension is not required by § 46.2-398 to forward the license to the Department during the suspended period.

E. Except as otherwise provided in this section and § 18.2-271.1, reinstatement fees collected under the provisions of this section shall be paid by the Commissioner into the state treasury and shall be set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department.

F. Before granting or restoring a license or registration to any person whose driver's license or other privilege to drive motor vehicles or privilege to register a motor vehicle has been revoked or suspended, the Commissioner shall collect from such person, in addition to all other fees provided for in this section, an additional fee of $40. The Commissioner shall pay all fees collected pursuant to this subsection into the Trauma Center Fund, created pursuant to § 18.2-270.01, for the purpose of defraying the costs of providing emergency medical care to victims of automobile accidents attributable to alcohol or drug use.

G. Whenever any person is required to pay a reinstatement fee pursuant to subsection C of this section or pursuant to subsection E of § 18.2-271.1 and such person has more than one suspension or revocation on his record for which reinstatement is required, then such person shall be required to pay one reinstatement fee, the amount of which shall equal the full reinstatement fee attributable to the one of his revocations or suspensions that would trigger the highest reinstatement fee, plus an additional $5 fee for administrative costs associated with compliance for each additional suspension or revocation. Fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department.

§ 51.1-124.3. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Abolished system" means the Virginia Retirement Act, §§ 51-30 through 51-111, repealed by Chapter 1 of the Acts of Assembly of 1952.

"Accumulated contributions" means the sum of all amounts deducted from the compensation of a member and credited to his individual account in the member's contribution account, all amounts the member may contribute to purchase creditable service, all member contributions contributed by the employer on behalf of the employee, on or after July 1, 1980, except those amounts contributed on behalf of members of the General Assembly who are otherwise retired under the provisions of this chapter, and all interest accruing to these funds. If a member is retired for disability from a cause which is compensable under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act (§ 65.2-100 et seq.), dies in service prior to retirement, or requests a refund of contributions in accordance with § 51.1-161, "accumulated contributions" shall include all member contributions paid by the employer on behalf of the member on and after July 1, 1980, and all interest which would have accrued to these funds.

"Actuarial equivalent" means a benefit of equal value when computed upon the basis of actuarial tables adopted by the Board.

"Average final compensation" means the average annual creditable compensation of a member during his 36 highest consecutive months of creditable service or during the entire period of his creditable service if less than 36 months. However, for any person who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2010, "average final compensation" means the average annual creditable compensation of a member during his 60 highest consecutive months of creditable service or during the entire period of his creditable service if less than 60 months.

If a member ceased employment prior to July 1, 1974, "average final compensation" means the average annual creditable compensation during the five highest consecutive years of creditable service.

"Beneficiary" means any person entitled to receive benefits under this chapter.

"Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Retirement System.

"Creditable compensation" means the full compensation payable annually to an employee working full time in his covered position. For any state employee of a public institution of higher education or a teaching hospital affiliated with a public institution of higher education who is (i) compensated on a salaried basis, and (ii) working full time in a covered position pursuant to a contract of employment for a period of at least nine months, creditable compensation means the full compensation payable over the term of any contract entered into between the employee and the employer, without regard to whether or not the term of the contract coincides with the normal scholastic year. However, if the contract is for more than one year, creditable compensation means that compensation paid for the current year of the contract.

Remuneration received by members of the General Assembly not otherwise retired under the provisions of this chapter pursuant to §§ 30-19.11 and 30-19.12 shall be deemed creditable compensation. In addition, for any member of the General Assembly, creditable compensation shall include the full amount of salaries payable to such member for working in covered positions, regardless of whether a contractual salary is reduced and not paid to such member because of service in the General Assembly.

"Creditable service" means prior service as set forth in § 51.1-142.2 plus membership service for which credit is allowable.

"Employee" means any teacher, state employee, officer, or employee of a locality participating in the Retirement System.

"Employer" means the Commonwealth in the case of a state employee, the local public school board in the case of a teacher, or the political subdivision participating in the Retirement System.

"Joint Rules Committee" means those members of the House of Delegates and the Senate designated by the Speaker of the House and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules, respectively, to meet with each other and to act jointly on behalf of the Committee on Rules for each house.

"Local officer" means the treasurer, commissioner of the revenue, attorney for the Commonwealth, clerk of a circuit court, or sheriff of any county or city, or deputy or employee of any such officer.

"Medical Board" means the board of physicians as provided by this chapter.

"Member" means any person included in the membership of the Retirement System.

"Membership service" means service as an employee rendered while a contributing member of the Retirement System except as provided in this chapter.

"Normal retirement date" means a member's sixty-fifth birthday. However, for any person who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2010, under this chapter his normal retirement date shall be the date that the member attains his "retirement age" as defined under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 416 et seq., as now or hereafter amended).

"Person who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2010," means a person who is not a member of a retirement plan administered by the Virginia Retirement System the first time he is hired on or after July 1, 2010, in a covered position. Subsequent separation from such position and subsequent employment in a covered position shall not alter the status of a person who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2010.

"Political subdivision" means any county, city, or town, any political entity, subdivision, branch, or unit of the Commonwealth, or any commission, public authority, or body corporate created by or under an act of the General Assembly specifying the powers, privileges, or authority capable of exercise by the commission, public authority, or body corporate.

"Primary social security benefit" means, with respect to any member, the primary insurance amount to which the member is entitled, for old age or disability, as the case may be, pursuant to the provisions of the federal Social Security Act as in effect at his date of retirement, under the provisions of this chapter except as otherwise specifically provided.

"Prior service" means service rendered prior to becoming a member of the Retirement System.

"Purchase of service contract" means a contract entered into by the member and the Retirement System for the purchase of service credit by the member as provided in § 51.1-142.2.

"Retirement allowance" means the retirement payments to which a member is entitled.

"Retirement plan administered by the Virginia Retirement System" means a retirement plan established under this title administered by the Virginia Retirement System, or by an agency that has been delegated administrative responsibility by the Virginia Retirement System, but such term shall exclude any plan established under Chapter 6 (§ 51.1-600 et seq.) or Chapter 6.1 (§ 58.1-607 et seq.) of this title.

"Retirement System" means the Virginia Retirement System.

"Service" means service as an employee.

"State employee" means any person who is regularly employed full time on a salaried basis, whose tenure is not restricted as to temporary or provisional appointment, in the service of, and whose compensation is payable, no more often than biweekly, in whole or in part, by the Commonwealth or any department, institution, or agency thereof. "State employee" shall include any faculty member, but not including adjunct faculty, of a public institution of higher education (a) who is compensated on a salary basis, (b) whose tenure is not restricted as to temporary or provisional appointment, and (c) who regularly works at least 20 hours but less than 40 hours per week (or works the equivalent of one-half of a full time equivalent position) engaged in the performance of teaching, administrative, or research duties at such institution; such faculty member shall be deemed an eligible employee for purposes of the retirement provisions under §§ 51.1-126, 51.1-126.1, and 51.1-126.3. "State employee" shall also include the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and members of the General Assembly but shall not include (i) any local officer, (ii) any employee of a political subdivision of the Commonwealth, (iii) individuals employed by the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services pursuant to § 51.5-72 51.5-200, (iv) any member of the State Police Officers' Retirement System, (v) any member of the Judicial Retirement System, or (vi) any member of the Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System.

"Teacher" means any person who is regularly employed full time on a salaried basis as a professional or clerical employee of a county, city, or other local public school board.

§ 51.5-1. Declaration of policy.

It is the policy of this the Commonwealth to encourage and enable persons with disabilities to participate fully and equally in the social and economic life of the Commonwealth and to engage in remunerative employment. To these ends, the General Assembly directs the Governor, Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy, Department for the Aging, Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, Department Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, Departments of Education, Department of Health, Department of Housing and Community Development, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Board for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities, Department of Rehabilitative Services, Department of and Social Services, Department and Departments for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services and for the Blind and Vision Impaired, and such other agencies as the Governor deems appropriate, to provide, in a comprehensive and coordinated manner which makes the best use of available resources, those services necessary to assure equal opportunity to persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth.

The provisions of this title shall be known and may be cited as "The Virginians With Disabilities Act."

§ 51.5-2. Plan of cooperation.

The Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy, Department for the Aging, Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Hard of Hearing, the Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Housing and Community Development, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Department of Rehabilitative Services, Department of Social Services, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired and such other agencies as are designated by the Governor which serve persons with disabilities shall formulate a plan of cooperation in accordance with the provisions of this title and the federal Rehabilitation Act. The goal of this plan shall be to promote the fair and efficient provision of rehabilitative and other services to persons with disabilities and to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

The plan of cooperation shall include an annual update of budgetary commitment under the plan, specifying how many persons with disabilities, by type of impairment, will be served under the plan. The plan of cooperation shall include consideration of first pay provisions for entitlement programs of a cooperating agency. If entitlement services are part of a client's individualized written rehabilitation program or equivalent plan for services, funds shall be paid from the entitlement program when possible. The plan and budgetary commitments shall be reviewed by the respective boards of the cooperating agencies, reviewed by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities and submitted for approval to the appropriate secretaries within the Governor's Office before implementation.

§ 51.5-5.01. Local interagency services teams.

In order to provide comprehensive services within a continuum of care, local agencies providing services to persons with physical and sensory disabilities may convene a local interagency services team to respond to the needs of individual consumers who require extensive coordination of services. Membership on the teams shall reflect the needs of the individual consumer and may include but shall not be limited to: representatives from the Department of Rehabilitative Services, the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing for Aging, Rehabilitation, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired Services, community services boards, and local social services departments, health departments, and school divisions. When established, interagency services teams shall be responsible for conducting an assessment process across agencies to identify the strengths and needs of individual consumers, developing a rehabilitation plan, and integrating the array of required services. Interagency services teams shall report to the consumer's assigned case manager or counselor, as appropriate.

§ 51.5-9. Department designated as state agency for purpose of cooperation with federal government.

The Department is designated, subject to the provisions of §§ 51.5-77 and 51.5-66 51.5-206 regarding the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division for the Blind and Vision Impaired for the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, as the state agency for the purpose of cooperating with the federal government in carrying out the provisions and purposes of the federal Rehabilitation Act and is empowered and directed to cooperate with the federal government in the administration of such act, to prescribe and provide services as may be necessary for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, to provide for the supervision of such services, and to disburse and administer federal funds provided for the rehabilitation of such persons.

§ 51.5-31. Board created.

There shall be a Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, responsible to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. The Board shall be composed of 40 38 members, to include the head or a person designated by the head of the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, Department of Education, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Department of Rehabilitative Services, and the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired; one representative of the protection and advocacy agency; one representative of the university-affiliated facility; one representative each, to be appointed by the Governor, of a local governmental agency, a manufacturing or a retailing industry, a high-technology industry, a public transit interest, and a nongovernmental agency or group of agencies that provide services for persons with developmental disabilities; a banking executive; one person with disabilities other than developmental disabilities; and 24 persons with developmental disabilities or the parents or guardians of such persons. Of the last 24 persons, at least eight shall be persons with developmental disabilities; at least eight shall be immediate relatives or guardians of persons with mentally impairing developmental disabilities; and at least one person shall be an immediate relative or guardian of an institutionalized person with a developmental disability.

Each member appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a four-year term, except that of the members appointed in 1989, eight shall be appointed for a term of four years, eight shall be appointed for a term of three years, eight shall be appointed for a term of two years, and seven shall be appointed for a term of one year. Members so appointed shall be subject to removal at the pleasure of the Governor. Any vacancy other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. No person appointed by the Governor shall serve for more than two successive terms.

The Board shall elect its chairman.

§ 51.5-33. Powers and duties.

The Board shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To advise the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and Governor on issues and problems of interest to persons with disabilities and on such other matters as either the Secretary or the Governor may request;

2. To submit every three years to the Governor, through the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, an assessment of the needs of persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth, the success in the preceding three years of the state agencies in meeting those needs, programmatic and fiscal recommendations for improving the delivery of services to persons with disabilities, and an assessment of the triennial economic cost and benefit to the Commonwealth of the services and rights afforded persons with disabilities as established in this title;

3. To initiate the development of the plan of cooperation required by § 51.5-2;

4. To serve as the State Planning Council for the administration of certain federal public health and welfare laws as provided in 42 U.S.C. § 6000 of Title 42 of the United States Code;

5. 4. To perform all duties and exercise all powers designated by federal law for such state planning councils, including the responsibility for planning activities on behalf of all developmentally disabled persons in the Commonwealth; for receiving, accounting for and disbursing federal funds; for developing and approving the state plan; and for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of such plan for the provision of services and facilities for persons with developmental disabilities;

6. 5. To be responsible for obtaining information and data from within the Commonwealth, and from time to time, but not less than annually, to review and evaluate the state plan and submit such state plan, and revisions thereto, to the Governor and to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services;

7. 6. To appoint and supervise the Director of the Board and prescribe his duties;

8. 7. To hire such staff and obtain the service of such professional, technical, and clerical personnel necessary to carry out its powers and duties; and

9. 8. To accept gifts and grants on behalf of the Commonwealth, in furtherance of the purpose of this Board.

§ 51.5-39.2. The Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy; governing board; terms; quorum; expenses; summary of annual work.

A. The Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities is hereby established as an independent state agency to be known as the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy. The Office is designated as the agency to protect and advocate for the rights of persons with mental, cognitive, sensory, physical or other disabilities and to receive federal funds on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia to implement the federal Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act, the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the federal Rehabilitation Act, the Virginians with Disabilities Act and such other related programs as may be established by state and federal law. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Office shall be independent of the Office of the Attorney General and shall have the authority, pursuant to subdivision 5 of § 2.2-510, to employ and contract with legal counsel to carry out the purposes of this chapter and to employ and contract with legal counsel to advise and represent the Office, to initiate actions on behalf of the Office, and to defend the Office and its officers, agents and employees in the course and scope of their employment or authorization, in any matter, including state, federal and administrative proceedings. Compensation for legal counsel shall be paid out of the funds appropriated for the administration of the Office. However, in the event defense is provided under Article 5 (§ 2.2-1832 et seq.) of Chapter 18 of Title 2.2, counsel shall be appointed pursuant to subdivision 4 of § 2.2-510. The Office shall provide ombudsman, advocacy and legal services to persons with disabilities who may be represented by the Office. The Office is authorized to receive and act upon complaints concerning discrimination on the basis of disability, abuse and neglect or other denial of rights, and practices and conditions in institutions, hospitals, and programs for persons with disabilities, and to investigate complaints relating to abuse and neglect or other violation of the rights of persons with disabilities in proceedings under state or federal law, and to initiate any proceedings to secure the rights of such persons.

B. The Office shall be governed by an 11-member board consisting of 11 nonlegislative citizen members. The members shall be appointed as follows: five citizens at large, of whom one shall be a person with a developmental disability or the parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative of such an individual, one shall be a person with a physical disability or the parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative of such an individual, one shall be a person who represents persons with cognitive disabilities, one shall be a person who represents persons with developmental disabilities, and one shall be a person who represents persons with sensory or physical disabilities, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; three citizens at large, of whom one shall be a person with a cognitive disability or the parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative of such an individual, one shall be a person who represents persons with mental illnesses, and one shall be a person who represents people with mental or neurological disabilities, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and three citizens at large, of whom one shall be a person with a mental illness or the parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative of such an individual, one shall be a person with a sensory disability or the parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative of such an individual, and one shall be a person with a mental or neurological disability or the parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative of such an individual, to be appointed by the Governor. Persons appointed to the board to represent individuals with a disability shall be knowledgeable of the broad range of needs of such persons served by the Office. Persons appointed to the board who have a disability shall be individuals who are eligible for, are receiving, or have received services through the state system that protects and advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities. In appointing the members of the Board, consideration shall be given to persons nominated by statewide groups that advocate for the physically, developmentally, and mentally disabled. The Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy shall coordinate and provide to the appointing authorities the lists of nominations for each appointment. The Speaker of the House of Delegates, the Senate Committee on Rules and the Governor shall not be limited in their appointments to persons so nominated; however, such appointing authorities shall seriously consider the persons nominated and appoint such persons whenever feasible.

No member of the General Assembly, elected official, or current employee of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, State Health Department, Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, a community services board, a behavioral health authority, or a local government department with a policy-advisory community services board shall be appointed to the Board.

C. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years, following the initial staggering of terms. All members may be reappointed, except that any member appointed during the initial staggering of terms to a four-year term shall not be eligible for reappointment for two years after the expiration of his term. However, no nonlegislative citizen member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be made for the unexpired terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. All appointments and reappointments shall be subject to confirmation at the next session of the General Assembly. All appointments shall be confirmed by the affirmative vote of a majority of those voting in each house of the General Assembly. Members shall continue to serve until such time as their successors have been appointed and duly qualified to serve.

D. The Board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members and appoint a secretary who may or may not be a member of the Board. A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

The Board shall meet at least four times each year. The meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the voting members so request. The chairman shall perform such additional duties as may be established by resolution of the Board.

E. Members shall serve without compensation for their services; however, all members shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for the costs of expenses of the members shall be provided by the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy.

F. Members of the Board shall be subject to removal from office only as set forth in Article 7 (§ 24.2-230 et seq.) of Chapter 2 of Title 24.2. The Circuit Court of the City of Richmond shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all proceedings for such removal.

G. The chairman of the Board shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual executive summary of the interim activity and work of the Board no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted to the General Assembly's website.

§ 51.5-39.7. (See Editor's notes) Ombudsman services for persons with disabilities.

A. There is hereby created within the Office an ombudsman section. The Director shall establish procedures for receiving complaints and conducting investigations for the purposes of resolving and mediating complaints regarding any activity, practice, policy, or procedure of any hospital, facility or program operated, funded or licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, the Department of Social Services, or any other state or local agency, that is adversely affecting the health, safety, welfare or civil or human rights of any person with mental, cognitive, sensory or physical disabilities. After initial investigation, the section may decline to accept any complaint it determines is frivolous or not made in good faith. The ombudsman section shall attempt to resolve the complaint at the lowest appropriate level, unless otherwise provided by law. The procedures shall require the section to:

1. Acknowledge the receipt of a complaint by sending written notice to the complainant within seven days after receiving the complaint;

2. When appropriate, provide written notice of a complaint to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or any other appropriate agency within seven days after receiving the complaint. The Department or agency shall report its findings and actions no later than fourteen 14 days after receiving the complaint;

3. Immediately refer a complaint made under this section to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or any other appropriate governmental agency whenever the complaint involves an immediate and substantial threat to the health or safety of a person with mental retardation, developmental disabilities, mental illness, or other disability. The Department or agency receiving the complaint shall report its findings and actions no later than forty-eight 48 hours following its receipt of the complaint;

4. Within seven days after identifying a deficiency in the treatment of a person with a disability that is in violation of state or federal law or regulation, refer the matter in writing to the appropriate state agency. The state agency shall report on its findings and actions within seven days of receiving notice of the matter;

5. Advise the complainant and any person with a disability affected by the complaint, no more than thirty 30 days after it receives the complaint, of any action it has taken and of any opinions and recommendations it has with respect to the complaint. The ombudsman section may request any party affected by the opinions or recommendations to notify the section, within a time period specified by the section, of any action the party has taken on its recommendation; and

6. Refer any complaint not resolved through negotiation, mediation, or conciliation to the Director or the Director's designee to determine whether further protection and advocacy services shall be provided by the Office.

B. The ombudsman section may make public any of its opinions or recommendations concerning a complaint, the responses of persons and governmental agencies to its opinions or recommendations, and any act, practice, policy, or procedure that adversely affects or may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or civil or human rights of a person with a disability, subject to the provisions of § 51.5-39.8.

C. The Office shall publicize its existence, functions, and activities, and the procedures for filing a complaint under this section, and send this information in written form to each provider of services to persons with disabilities, with instructions that the information is to be posted in a conspicuous place accessible to patients, residents, consumers, clients, visitors, and employees. The Office shall establish, maintain and publicize a toll-free number for receiving complaints.

§ 51.5-39.10. Immunity.

Any person who in good faith complains to the Office on behalf of a person with a disability as defined in § 51.5-39.13, or who provides information or participates in the investigation of any such complaint, shall have immunity from any civil liability and shall not be subject to any penalties, sanctions, restrictions or retaliation as a consequence of making such complaint, providing such information or participating in such investigation.

§ 51.5-39.13. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Hearing dog" means a dog trained to alert its owner by touch to sounds of danger and sounds to which the owner should respond.

"Mental impairment" means (i) a disability attributable to mental retardation, autism, or any other neurologically handicapping condition closely related to mental retardation and requiring treatment similar to that required by mentally retarded individuals or (ii) an organic or mental impairment that has substantial adverse effects on an individual's cognitive or volitional functions, including central nervous system disorders or significant discrepancies among mental functions of an individual. For the purposes of § 51.5-41, the term "mental impairment" does not include active alcoholism or current drug addiction and does not include any mental impairment, disease, or defect that has been successfully asserted by an individual as a defense to any criminal charge.

"Mobility-impaired person" means any person who has completed training to use a dog for service or support because he is unable to move about without the aid of crutches, a wheelchair, or any other form of support or because of limited functional ability to ambulate, climb, descend, sit, rise, or perform any related function.

"Otherwise qualified person with a disability" means a person with a disability who:

1. For the purposes of § 51.5-41, is qualified to perform the duties of a particular job or position; or

2. For the purposes of § 51.5-42, meets all the requirements for admission to an educational institution or meets all the requirements for participation in its extracurricular programs.

"Person with a disability" means any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of his major life activities, or who has a record of such impairment, and that physical or mental impairment:

1. For purposes of § 51.5-41, is unrelated to the individual's ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position, or is unrelated to the individual's qualifications for employment or promotion;

2. For purposes of § 51.5-42, is unrelated to the individual's ability to utilize and benefit from educational opportunities, programs, and facilities at an educational institution;

3. For purposes of § 51.5-44, is unrelated to the individual's ability to utilize and benefit from a place of public accommodation or public service; or

4. For purposes of § 51.5-45, is unrelated to the individual's ability to acquire, rent, or maintain property.

"Physical impairment" means any physical condition, anatomic loss, or cosmetic disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect, or illness.

"Three-unit service dog team" means a team consisting of a trained service dog, a disabled person, and a person who is an adult and who has been trained to handle the service dog.

§ 51.5-41. Discrimination against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities by employers prohibited.

A. No employer shall discriminate in employment or promotion practices against an otherwise qualified person with a disability solely because of such disability.

B. It is the policy of this the Commonwealth that persons with disabilities shall be employed in the state service, the service of the political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, in the public schools, and in all other employment supported in whole or in part by public funds on the same terms and conditions as other persons unless it is shown that the particular disability prevents the performance of the work involved.

C. An employer shall make reasonable accommodation to the known physical and mental impairments of an otherwise qualified person with a disability, if necessary to assist such person in performing a particular job, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue burden on the employer.

1. In determining whether an accommodation would constitute an undue burden upon the employer, the following shall be considered:

a. Hardship on the conduct of the employer's business, considering the nature of the employer's operation, including composition and structure of the employer's work force;

b. Size of the facility where employment occurs;

c. The nature and cost of the accommodations needed, taking into account alternate sources of funding or technical assistance included under §§ 51.5-18 and 51.5-26 51.5-165 and 51.5-173;

d. The possibility that the same accommodations may be used by other prospective employees;

e. Safety and health considerations of the person with a disability, other employees, and the public.

2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any accommodation which would exceed $500 in cost shall be rebuttably presumed to impose an undue burden upon any employer with fewer than fifty 50 employees.

3. The employer has the right to choose among equally effective accommodations.

4. Nothing in this section shall require accommodations when the authority to make such accommodations is precluded under the terms of a lease or otherwise prohibited by statute, ordinance or other regulation.

5. Building modifications made for the purposes of such reasonable accommodation may be made without requiring the remainder of the existing building to comply with the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

D. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an employer from refusing to hire or promote, from disciplining, transferring, or discharging or taking any other personnel action pertaining to an applicant or an employee who, because of his disability, is unable to adequately perform his duties, or cannot perform such duties in a manner which would not endanger his health or safety or the health or safety of others. Nothing in this section shall subject an employer to any legal liability resulting from the refusal to employ or promote or from the discharge, transfer, discipline of, or the taking of any other personnel action pertaining to a person with a disability who, because of his disability, is unable to adequately perform his duties, or cannot perform such duties in a manner which would not endanger his health or safety or the health or safety of others.

E. Nothing in this section shall be construed as altering the provisions of the Virginia Minimum Wage Act (§ 40.1-28.8 et seq.).

F. This section shall not apply to employers covered by the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

G. No employer who has hired any person because of the requirements of this section shall be liable for any alleged negligence in such hiring.

§ 51.5-44. Rights of persons with disabilities in public places and places of public accommodation.

A. A person with a disability has the same rights as other persons to the full and free use of the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings, public facilities, and other public places.

B. A person with a disability is entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of all common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor buses, streetcars, subways, boats or any other public conveyances or modes of transportation, restaurants, hotels, lodging places, places of public accommodation, amusement or resort, public entities including schools, and other places to which the general public is invited subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all persons.

C. Each town, city or county, individually or through transportation district commissions, shall ensure that persons with disabilities have access to the public transportation within its jurisdiction by either (i) use of the same transportation facilities or carriers available to the general public or (ii) provision of paratransit or special transportation services for persons with disabilities or (iii) both. All persons with disabilities in the jurisdiction's service area who, by reason of their disabilities, are unable to use the service for the general public shall be eligible to use such paratransit or special transportation service. No fee that exceeds the fee charged to the general public shall be charged a person with a disability for the use of the same transportation facilities or carriers available to the general public. Paratransit or special transportation service for persons with disabilities may charge fees to such persons comparable to the fees charged to the general public for similar service in the jurisdiction service area, taking into account especially the type, length and time of trip. Any variance between special service and regular service fares shall be justifiable in terms of actual differences between the two kinds of service provided.

D. Nothing in this title shall be construed to require retrofitting of any public transit equipment or to require the retrofitting, renovation, or alteration of buildings or places to a degree more stringent than that required by the applicable building code in effect at the time the building permit for such building or place is issued.

E. Every totally or partially blind person shall have the right to be accompanied by a dog, in harness, trained as a guide dog, every deaf or hearing-impaired person shall have the right to be accompanied by a dog trained as a hearing dog on a blaze orange leash, and every mobility-impaired or otherwise disabled person shall have the right to be accompanied by a dog, trained as a service dog, in a harness, backpack, or vest identifying the dog as a trained service dog, in any of the places listed in subsection B without being required to pay an extra charge for the dog;, provided that he shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such dog. The provisions of this section shall apply to persons accompanied by a dog that is in training, at least six months of age, and is (i) in harness, provided such person is an experienced trainer of guide dogs or is conducting continuing training of a guide dog; (ii) on a blaze orange leash, provided such person is an experienced trainer of hearing dogs or is conducting continuing training of a hearing dog; (iii) in a harness, backpack, or vest identifying the dog as a trained service dog, provided such person is an experienced trainer of service dogs or is conducting continuing training of a service dog; (iv) wearing a jacket identifying the recognized guide, hearing or service dog organization, provided such person is an experienced trainer of the organization identified on the jacket; or (v) the person is part of a three-unit service dog team and is conducting continuing training of a service dog.

As used in this chapter, "hearing dog" means a dog trained to alert its owner by touch to sounds of danger and sounds to which the owner should respond.

As used in this chapter, "service dog" means a dog trained to accompany its owner or handler for the purpose of carrying items, retrieving objects, pulling a wheelchair, alerting the owner or handler to medical conditions, or other such activities of service or support necessary to mitigate a disability.

As used in this chapter, "three-unit service dog team" means a team consisting of a trained service dog, a disabled person, and a person who is an adult and who has been trained to handle the service dog.

As used in this chapter, "mobility-impaired person" means any person who has completed training to use a dog for service or support because he is unable to move about without the aid of crutches, a wheelchair or any other form of support or because of limited functional ability to ambulate, climb, descend, sit, rise or perform any related function.

CHAPTER 14.

DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING, DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING, AND BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED, AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES.

Article 1.

General Provisions.

§ 51.5-116. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Case management" means a dynamic collaborative process that utilizes and builds on the strengths and resources of consumers to assist them in identifying their needs, accessing and coordinating services, and achieving their goals. The major collaborative components of case management services include advocacy, assessment, planning, facilitation, coordination, and monitoring.

"Case management system" means a central point of contact linking a wide variety of evolving services and supports that are (i) available in a timely, coordinated manner; (ii) physically and programmatically accessible; and (iii) consumer-directed with procedural safeguards to ensure responsiveness and accountability.

"Client" means any person receiving a service provided by the personnel or facilities of a public or private agency, whether referred to as a client, participant, patient, resident, or other term.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services.

"Consumer" means, with respect to case management services, a person with a disability or his designee, guardian, conservator, or committee.

"Department" means the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services.

"Functional and central nervous system disabilities" means a disability resulting in functional impairment or impairment of the central nervous system, which may include but is not limited to traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, Prader-Willi syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).

"Local board" means a local board of social services established pursuant to Article 1 (§ 63.2-300 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 63.2.

"Local department" means a local department of social services established pursuant to Article 2 (§ 63.2-324 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 63.2.

"Local director" means a local director of social services appointed pursuant to § 63.2-325.

"Older person" or "older Virginian" means a person who is age 60 years or older.

"Prader-Willi syndrome" means a specific disorder that is usually caused by chromosomal change, resulting in lifelong functional and cognitive impairments and life-threatening obesity.

"Rehabilitation technology" means the systematic application of technologies, engineering methodologies, or scientific principles to meet the needs of and address the barriers confronted by individuals with disabilities in areas that include education, rehabilitation, employment, transportation, independent living, and recreation.

§ 51.5-117. Declaration of purpose; Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services created.

A. It is hereby found and determined by the General Assembly that there exists in the Commonwealth a need to ensure effective programs and services, and to improve coordination of these programs and services, for citizens of the Commonwealth who, for reasons of age, deafness or other disability, or other physical factors, face challenges in living independently in the community and accessing the full range of programs and services to help them achieve independence and an improved quality of life.

B. To achieve the objectives described in subsection A, there is hereby created the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, with such powers and duties as are set forth in this chapter, as a public body corporate and as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. The Department shall work to ensure effective communications access, technology, vocational, support, and protective services for these citizens within the agency and across the Commonwealth.

C. The Department shall be in the executive branch of state government and shall be assigned to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources.

§ 51.5-118. Department designated as state agency for purpose of cooperation with federal government.

The Department is designated, subject to the provisions of §§ 51.5-206 regarding the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, as the state agency for the purpose of cooperating with the federal government in carrying out the provisions and purposes of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.) and is empowered and directed to cooperate with the federal government in the administration of such act, to prescribe and provide services as may be necessary for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, to provide for the supervision of such services, and to disburse and administer federal funds provided for the rehabilitation of such persons.

§ 51.5-119. Department designated as state agency for purpose of coordinating rehabilitative services.

The Department is designated as the state agency for coordinating rehabilitative services to persons with functional and central nervous system disabilities. The Department shall provide for the comprehensive assessment of the need for rehabilitative and support services of such persons, identify gaps in services, promote interagency coordination, develop models for case management, and advise the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Governor, and the General Assembly on programmatic and fiscal policies and the delivery of services to such persons.

§ 51.5-120. Cooperation of Department with other state departments.

A. The Department shall collaborate with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in activities related to licensing providers of (i) services under the Individual and Families Developmental Disabilities Support Waiver, (ii) services under the Brain Injury Waiver, and (iii) residential services for individuals with brain injuries as defined in § 37.2-403. These activities include involving advocacy and consumer groups who represent persons with developmental disabilities or brain injuries in the regulatory process; training the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, local human rights committees, and the State Human Rights Committee on the unique needs and preferences of individuals with developmental disabilities or brain injuries; assisting in the development of regulatory requirements for such providers; and providing technical assistance in the regulatory process and in performing annual inspections and complaint investigations.

B. The Department shall collaborate with the Department of Social Services in activities related to the planning and provision of adult services pursuant to Article 4 (§ 51.5-144 et seq.), adult protective services pursuant to Article 5 (§ 51.5-148), and auxiliary grants pursuant to Article 9 (§ 51.5-159 et seq.).

§ 51.5-121. Authority of Department to request and receive information from other agencies; use of information so obtained.

The Department may request and shall receive from all departments, boards, bureaus, or other agencies of the Commonwealth such records and information as is necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions and programs of this chapter, and the same are authorized to provide such information, provided that a written statement from the requesting party stating the reason for seeking such record is submitted and filed with the record sought. The Department may also request and receive records and information necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions and programs of this chapter from agencies or political subdivisions of other states. The Department may make such information available to public officials and agencies of the Commonwealth, other states, political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, and political subdivisions of other states in accordance with state and federal law when the request for information relates to administration of the various public assistance or social services programs.

§ 51.5-122. Confidential records and information concerning adult services and adult protective services; penalty.

A. The records, information, and statistical registries of the Department and local departments of social services concerning adult services and adult protective services provided to or on behalf of individuals shall be confidential information, provided that the Commissioner and his agents shall have access to such records, information, and statistical registries, and that such records, information, and statistical registries may be disclosed to any person having a legitimate interest in accordance with state and federal law and regulation.

It shall be unlawful for the Commissioner, his agents or employees, any person who has held any such position, or any other person to whom any confidential record or information is disclosed to disclose, directly or indirectly, such confidential record or information, except as herein provided. Every violation of this section shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. If a request for a record or information concerning applicants for and recipients of adult services provided pursuant to Article 4 (§ 51.5-144 et seq.) or adult protective services provided pursuant to Article 5 (§ 51.5-148) is made to the Department or a local department by a person who does not have a legitimate interest, the Commissioner or local director shall not provide the record or information unless permitted by state or federal law or regulation.

§ 51.5-123 Long-Term Rehabilitative Case Management System.

The Department shall develop and pilot a model for the initiation of a Long-Term Rehabilitative Case Management System. Such system shall provide for the coordination of medical, psychosocial, vocational, rehabilitative, long-term care, and family and community support services for persons with functional and central nervous system disabilities.

The Department shall facilitate the provision of such services by the Department and any other state, local, public, or private nonprofit agency, organization, or facility to such persons.

§ 51.5-124. Eligibility for long-term rehabilitative case management.

A person shall be eligible to receive long-term rehabilitative case management services pursuant to § 51.5-123 if the Department determines such person is disabled indefinitely and requires a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment, or other services which are lifelong or for an extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated, or such person's disability results in substantive functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: (i) self-care, (ii) receptive and expressive language, (iii) learning, (iv) mobility, (v) self-direction, (vi) capacity for independent living, and (vii) economic sufficiency.

§ 51.5-125. Gifts and donations.

The Department is authorized to receive such gifts and donations, either from public or private sources, as may be offered unconditionally or under such conditions related to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities as in the judgment of the Department are proper and consistent with this title. All moneys received as gifts or donations shall be deposited in the state treasury; shall constitute a permanent fund to be called the special fund for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities; and shall be used by the Department to defray the expenses of rehabilitation and other services, including independent living services and advocacy services, and constructing, equipping, and operating necessary rehabilitation facilities. Such moneys may also be used in matching federal grants for the foregoing purposes. The Department shall annually submit to the Governor a full report of all gifts and donations offered and accepted, the names of the donors, the respective amounts contributed by each donor, and all disbursements of such gifts and donations.

§ 51.5-126. Donation of equipment.

The Department shall retain title to items of nonexpendable equipment purchased by the Department for individuals or groups of individuals, in accordance with this title and the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.), while such equipment has an undepreciated monetary value. Once the equipment reaches a depreciated value of zero, the Department may donate the equipment to the individual or group of individuals then authorized to use it by the Department. The donation shall be consistent with the public purpose of promoting the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The Department, in concert with the Department of Accounts, shall establish criteria for depreciation of such equipment in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and maintain depreciation records. The Department shall report a donation pursuant to this section to the Division of Purchases and Supply and to the Auditor of Public Accounts. Nothing in this section shall be construed to excuse the Department from complying with § 2.2-1124 except for equipment donated pursuant to this section.

§ 51.5-127. Commonwealth Council on Aging; purpose; membership; terms.

A. The Commonwealth Council on Aging is established as an advisory council, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Commonwealth Council on Aging shall be to promote an efficient, coordinated approach by state government to meeting the needs of older Virginians.

B. The Commonwealth Council on Aging shall consist of 24 members as follows: one member from each of the 11 congressional districts of the Commonwealth appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the General Assembly; four at-large nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; four at-large nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and the Commissioner for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services, the Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Commissioner of Social Services, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and the President of the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging, or their designees, who shall serve as nonvoting ex officio members. Members of the Commonwealth Council on Aging shall be citizens of the Commonwealth appointed at large without regard to political affiliation but with due consideration of geographical representation. Appointees shall be selected for their ability, and all appointments shall be of such nature as to aid the work of the Commonwealth Council on Aging and to inspire the highest degree of cooperation and confidence.

C. After the initial staggering of terms, all appointments shall be for four-year terms.

Appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term. No person having served on the Commonwealth Council on Aging for two full consecutive terms shall be eligible for reappointment to the Commonwealth Council on Aging for two years thereafter. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility to serve.

D. The Commonwealth Council on Aging shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members and shall appoint a secretary and such other officers as it deems necessary and prescribe their duties and terms of office. The Commonwealth Council on Aging may adopt bylaws to govern its operations.

E. Members shall receive compensation for the performance of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2813. All members shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided by the Department.

F. The Department shall provide staff support to the Commonwealth Council on Aging.

§ 51.5-128. Duties of the Commonwealth Council on Aging.

A. The Commonwealth Council on Aging shall have the following duties:

1. Examine the needs of older Virginians and their caregivers and ways in which state government can most effectively and efficiently assist in meeting those needs;

2. Advise the Governor and General Assembly on aging issues and aging policy for the Commonwealth;

3. Advise the Governor on any proposed regulations deemed by the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget to have a substantial and distinct impact on older Virginians and their caregivers. Such advice shall be provided in addition to other regulatory reviews required by the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.);

4. Advocate for and assist in developing the Commonwealth's planning for meeting the needs of the growing number of older Virginians and their caregivers; and

5. Assist and advise the Department with the development and ongoing review of the Virginia Respite Care Grant Program pursuant to Article 8 (§ 51.5-155 et seq.).

B. The Commonwealth Council on Aging may apply for and expend such grants, gifts, or bequests from any source as may become available in connection with its duties under this section, and may comply with such conditions and requirements as may be imposed in connection therewith.

§ 51.5-129. Creation of State Rehabilitation Council; purpose; membership.

The State Rehabilitation Council is established as a designated state council in the executive branch of government for the purpose of providing advice to and performing other functions for the Department regarding vocational services provided pursuant to Title I and Title VI of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. and 29 U.S.C. § 795 et seq., respectively). Membership, terms, and meeting requirements shall be in accordance with federal provisions as provided in 29 U.S.C. § 725.

Article 2.

Commissioner for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services.

§ 51.5-130. Commissioner for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services.

A. The supervision of the Department shall be the responsibility of the Commissioner for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services under the direction and control of the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. The Commissioner shall be a person of proven executive and administrative knowledge, skills, and abilities, with appropriate education and substantial experience in the field of aging and rehabilitative services. He shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor for a term coincident with that of the Governor.

B. In cooperation with the Commonwealth Council on Aging, the Commissioner shall serve as the Governor's principal advisor on aging issues and shall recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly such policies, legislation, and other actions appropriate to meet the needs of an aging society and to improve aging services in the Commonwealth. In addition, the Commissioner shall serve as Special Assistant to the Governor for Aging Policy and shall report directly to the Governor as necessary on aging policies.

§ 51.5-131. Powers and duties of Commissioner.

The Commissioner shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To employ such personnel, qualified by knowledge, skills, and abilities, as may be required to carry out the purposes of this chapter relating to the Department;

2. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary for or incidental to the performance of the Department's duties and the execution of its powers under this title, including but not limited to contracts with the United States, other states, agencies, and governmental subdivisions of the Commonwealth;

3. To accept grants from the United States government and agencies and instrumentalities thereof and any other source and, to these ends, to comply with such conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary, convenient, or desirable;

4. To perform all acts necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

5. To develop and analyze information on the needs of older Virginians and persons with disabilities;

6. To establish plans, policies, and programs for the delivery of services to older Virginians and persons with disabilities for consideration by the Governor and the General Assembly. Such policies, plans, and programs for services for those who cannot benefit from vocational rehabilitation shall be prepared over time and as funds become available for such efforts;

7. To operate and maintain the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center and to organize, supervise, and provide other necessary services and facilities (i) to prepare persons with disabilities for useful and productive lives, including suitable employment, and (ii) to enable persons with disabilities, to the degree possible, to become self-sufficient and have a sense of well-being;

8. To develop criteria for the evaluation of plans and programs relative to the provision of long-term services and supports for older Virginians and persons with disabilities;

9. To investigate the availability of funds from any source for planning, developing, and providing services to older Virginians and persons with disabilities, particularly those not capable of being gainfully employed;

10. To coordinate the Department's plans, policies, programs, and services, and such programs and services required under § 51.5-123, with those of the other state agencies providing services to persons with disabilities so as to achieve maximum utilization of available resources to meet the needs of such persons;

11. To compile and provide information on the availability of federal, state, regional, and local funds and services for older Virginians and persons with disabilities;

12. To accept, execute, and administer any trust in which the Department may have an interest, under the terms of the instruments creating the trust, subject to the approval of the Governor;

13. To promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth administered by the Department;

14. To work with the Department of Veterans Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to establish a program for mental health and rehabilitative services for Virginia veterans and members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service and their family members pursuant to § 2.2-2001.1;

15. To promote the use of technologies to realize communication access and increase livability across the Commonwealth; and

16. To perform such other duties as may be required by the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources.

§ 51.5-132. Commissioner to establish regulations regarding human research.

The Commissioner shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) to effectuate the provisions of Chapter 5.1 (§ 32.1-162.16 et seq.) of Title 32.1 for human research, as defined in § 32.1-162.16, to be conducted or authorized by the Department, any sheltered workshop, any independent living center, or the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center. The regulations shall require the human research review committee, as provided in § 32.1-162.19, to submit to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Commissioner or his designee, at least annually, a report on the human research projects reviewed and approved by the committee and shall require the committee to report any significant deviations from the proposals as approved.

§ 51.5-133. Cooperation with local authorities.

The Commissioner shall assist and cooperate with local authorities in the administration of this chapter. He shall encourage and direct the training of all personnel of local boards and local departments engaged in the administration of any adult services or adult protective services program within the purview of this chapter. The Commissioner shall collect and publish statistics and such other data as may be deemed of value in assisting public authorities and agencies of the Commonwealth in improving the care of older Virginians and persons with disabilities. The Commissioner shall also, in his discretion, initiate and conduct conferences designed to accomplish such ends and to further coordination of effort in this field.

Article 3.

Services for Older Virginians.

§ 51.5-134. Definitions.

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Daily living services" includes homemaker, companion, personal care and chore services, home repair, weatherization, and adult day care.

"Educational services" includes information on the long-term care services provided by agencies of the Commonwealth, its localities, and private sector agencies, and public information as provided in § 2.2-213.1.

"Health care services" includes home health care and community medical care.

"Housing services" includes community-based residential opportunities and retrofitting existing housing as needed.

"Long-term care services" means socialization services, health care services, nutrition services, daily living services, educational services, housing services, transportation services, and supportive services that include (i) a balanced range of health, social, and supportive services to deliver long-term care services to older persons with chronic illnesses or functional impairments; (ii) meaningful choice, increased functional ability, and affordability as determining factors in defining long-term care service needs, which needs shall be determined by a uniform system for comprehensively assessing the needs and preferences of individuals requiring such services; (iii) service delivery, consistent with the needs and preferences of individuals requiring such services, that occurs in the most independent, least restrictive, and most appropriate living situation possible; and (iv) opportunities for self-care and independent living, as appropriate, by encouraging all long-term care programs to maximize self-care and independent living within the mainstream of life in the community.

"Nutrition services" includes home-delivered meals, food stamps, and congregate meals.

"Socialization services" includes telephone reassurance, friendly visiting, and congregate meals.

"Supportive services" includes adult protective services, mental health and mental retardation services, counseling services, and legal aid.

"Transportation services" includes readily available access to public transportation or area coordinated paratransit systems.

§ 51.5-135. Powers and duties of Department with respect to aging persons; area agencies on aging.

A. The Department shall provide supports and services to improve the quality of life for older persons in the Commonwealth and shall act as a focal point among state agencies for research, policy analysis, long-range planning, and education on aging issues. The Department shall also serve as the lead agency in coordinating the work of state agencies on meeting the needs of an aging society. The Department's policies and programs shall be designed to enable older persons to be as independent and self-sufficient as possible. The Department shall promote local participation in programs for older persons, evaluate and monitor the services provided for older persons, and provide information to the general public. In furtherance of this mission, the Department shall have, without limitation, the following duties to:

1. Study the economic and physical condition of the residents in the Commonwealth whose age qualifies them for coverage under the Older Americans Act (42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq.) or any law amendatory or supplemental thereto, and the employment, medical, educational, recreational, and housing facilities available to them, with the view of determining the needs and problems of such persons;

2. Determine the services and facilities, private and governmental and state and local, provided for and available to older persons and recommend to the appropriate persons such coordination of and changes in such services and facilities as will make them of greater benefit to older persons and more responsive to their needs;

3. Act as the single state agency, under P.L. 89-73 or any law amendatory or supplemental thereto, and as the sole agency for administering or supervising the administration of such plans as may be adopted in accordance with the provisions of such laws. The Department may prepare, submit, and carry out state plans and shall be the agency primarily responsible for coordinating state programs and activities related to the purposes of, or undertaken under, such plans or laws;

4. Apply, with the approval of the Governor, for and expend such grants, gifts, or bequests from any source that becomes available in connection with its duties under this section, and may comply with such conditions and requirements as may be imposed in connection therewith;

5. Hold hearings and conduct investigations necessary to pass upon applications for approval of a project under the plans and laws set out in subdivision 3, and shall make reports to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services as may be required;

6. Designate area agencies on aging pursuant to P.L. 89-73 or any law amendatory or supplemental thereto of the Congress of the United States and to adopt regulations for the composition and operation of such area agencies on aging, each of which shall be designated as the lead agency in each respective area for the No Wrong Door system of aging and disability resource centers;

7. Provide information to consumers and their representatives concerning the recognized features of special care units. Such information shall educate consumers and their representatives on how to choose special care and may include brochures and electronic bulletin board notices;

8. Provide staff support to the Commonwealth Council on Aging;

9. Assist state, local, and nonprofit agencies, including, but not limited to, area agencies on aging, in identifying grant and public-private partnership opportunities for improving services to older Virginians;

10. Provide or contract with a not-for-profit Virginia corporation granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or designated area agencies on aging for the administration of the state long-term care ombudsman program. Such program or contract shall provide a minimum staffing ratio of one ombudsman to every 2,000 long-term care beds, subject to sufficient appropriations by the General Assembly. The Department may also contract with such entities for the administration of elder rights programs as authorized under P.L. 89-73, such as insurance counseling and assistance, and the creation of an elder information/elder rights center;

11. Serve as the focal point for the rights of older persons and their families by establishing, maintaining, and publicizing (i) a toll-free number and (ii) a means of electronic access to provide resource and referral information and other assistance and advice as may be requested; and

12. Develop and maintain a four-year plan for aging services in the Commonwealth, pursuant to § 51.5-136.

B. The governing body of any county, city, or town may appropriate funds for support of area agencies on aging designated pursuant to subdivision A 6.

C. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall assist the Department in effectuating its functions in accordance with its designation as the single state agency as required in subdivision A 3.

§ 51.5-136. Strategic long-range planning for aging services; four-year plan; report.

A. The Department shall develop and maintain a four-year plan for aging services in the Commonwealth. Such plan shall serve to inform the State Plan for Aging Services as required by the U.S. Administration on Aging. In developing the plan, the Department shall consult (i) various state and local services agencies, (ii) businesses, (iii) nonprofit organizations, (iv) advocacy organizations, (v) universities, (vi) providers, (vii) organizations involved in providing services for and advocating for older Virginians and their caregivers, and (viii) stakeholders, including but not limited to the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging; the state's health and human resources agencies, boards, councils, and commissions; the Departments of Transportation, Rail and Public Transportation, Housing and Community Development, and Corrections; and the Virginia Housing Development Authority.

In addition, the plan shall inform and serve as a resource to a long-term blueprint for state and community planning for aging populations that shall be comprehensive and not limited to traditional health and human services issues, but rather consists of broad-based issues of active daily life in communities throughout the Commonwealth.

B. The four-year plan shall include:

1. A description of Virginia's aging population and its impact on the Commonwealth, and issues related to ensuring and providing services to this population at both the state and local levels;

2. Factors for the Department to consider in determining when additional funding may be required for certain programs or services;

3. Information on changes in the aging population, with particular attention to the growing diversity of the population including low-income, minority, and non-English speaking older Virginians;

4. Information on unmet needs and waiting list data for aging-related services as reported by the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging and those state agencies that may maintain and provide this information;

5. Results from periodic needs surveys and customer satisfaction surveys targeted to older Virginians that may be conducted by the Department, the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging, or any other state or local agency from time to time;

6. An analysis by every state agency of how the aging of the population impacts the agency and its services and how the agency is responding to this impact. Such analysis shall be provided to the Department every four years on a schedule and in a format determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Resources in coordination with the Department;

7. The impact of changes in federal and state funding for aging services;

8. The current status and future development of Virginia's No Wrong Door Initiative; and

9. Any other factors the Department deems appropriate.

C. In carrying out the duties provided by this section, the Commissioner shall submit the plan to the Governor and the General Assembly by June 30, 2013. Thereafter, the plan shall be submitted every four years.

§ 51.5-137. Administrative responsibilities of Department regarding long-term care.

The Department shall have the following responsibilities regarding long-term care services in the Commonwealth:

1. Develop appropriate fiscal and administrative controls over public long-term care services in the Commonwealth;

2. Develop a state long-term care plan to guide the coordination and delivery of services by the human resources agencies, including transportation services. The plan shall ensure the development of a continuum of long-term care programs and services for impaired older persons in need of services;

3. Identify programmatic resources and assure the equitable statewide distribution of these resources; and

4. Perform ongoing evaluations of the cost-effective utilization of long-term care resources.

§ 51.5-138. Coordination of local long-term care services by localities.

The governing body of each county or city, or a combination thereof, shall designate a lead agency and member agencies to accomplish the coordination of local long-term care services and supports. The agencies shall establish a long-term care coordination committee composed of, but not limited to, representatives of each agency. The coordination committee shall guide the coordination and administration of public long-term care services and supports in the locality. The membership of the coordination committee shall be comprised of, but not limited to, representatives of the local department of public health, the local department of social services, the community services board or community mental health clinic, the area agency on aging, the local nursing home pre-admission screening team, and representatives of housing, transportation, and other appropriate local organizations that provide long-term care services. A plan shall be implemented that ensures the cost-effective utilization of all funds available for long-term care services and supports in the locality. Localities are encouraged to provide services and supports within each category of service in the continuum and to allow one person to deliver multiple services, when possible.

§ 51.5-139. Responsibility of Department for complaints regarding long-term care services.

The Department or its designee shall investigate complaints regarding community services that are designed to provide long-term care to older persons and are rendered by the Department of Health, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the area agencies on aging, or any private nonprofit or proprietary agency.

Nothing in this section shall affect the services provided by local departments of social services pursuant to § 63.2-1605.

§ 51.5-140. Access to residents, facilities, and patients' records by Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

The entity designated by the Department to operate the programs of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman pursuant to the Older Americans Act (42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq.), shall, in the investigation of complaints referred to the program, have the same access to (i) residents, facilities, and patients' records of licensed adult care residences in accordance with § 63.2-1706 and (ii) patients, facilities, and patients' records of nursing facilities or nursing homes in accordance with § 32.1-25, and shall have access to the patients, residents, and patients' records of state hospitals operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. However, if a patient is unable to consent to the review of his medical and social records and has no legal guardian, such representatives shall have appropriate access to such records in accordance with this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 32.1-125.1, the entity designated by the Department to operate the programs of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman shall have access to nursing facilities and nursing homes and state hospitals in accordance with this section. Access to residents, facilities, and patients' records shall be available during normal working hours except in emergency situations.

§ 51.5-141. Confidentiality of records of Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

All documentary and other evidence received or maintained by the Department or its agents in connection with specific complaints or investigations under any program of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman conducted by or under the Commissioner shall be confidential and not subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.), except that such information may be released on a confidential basis in compliance with regulations adopted by the Department and consistent with provisions of subdivision 4 of § 2.2-601 and with the requirements of the Older Americans Act (42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq.).

The Commissioner shall release information concerning completed investigations of complaints made under the programs of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman but shall in no event release the identity of any complainant or resident of a long-term care facility unless (i) the complainant or resident or his legal representative consents in writing to disclosure or (ii) disclosure is required by court order. The Commissioner shall establish procedures to notify long-term care facilities of the nature of complaints and their findings.

§ 51.5-142. Protection for representatives of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Any designated representative of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman who in good faith with reasonable cause and without malice performs the official duties of ombudsman, including acting to report, investigate, or cause any investigation to be made regarding a long-term care provider, shall be immune from any civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as the result of making the report or investigation.

§ 51.5-143. Powers and duties of Department relating to universal design and visitability features.

The Department shall publicize guidelines on universal design and visitability features to make structures and dwellings accessible for older Virginians and people who develop mobility impairment. Such guidelines shall be disseminated to the public and posted on the Department's website.

Article 4.

Adult Services.

§ 51.5-144. Definitions.

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Adult" means an individual who is 18 years of age or older, or under the age of 18 years if legally emancipated.

"Adult foster care" means room and board, supervision, and special services to an adult who has a physical or mental condition. Adult foster care may be provided by a single provider for up to three adults.

"Adult services" means services that are provided by local departments of social services to an adult with an impairment.

"Adult with an impairment" means an adult whose physical or mental capacity is diminished to the extent that he needs counseling or supervisory assistance or assistance with activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living.

§ 51.5-145. Responsibility of the Department for adult services.

The Department shall have responsibility for the planning and oversight of adult services in the Commonwealth. Services shall be delivered by local departments of social services, as set out in Article 1 (§ 63.2-1600 et seq.) of Chapter 16 of Title 63.2, and pursuant to regulations and subject to the oversight of the Commissioner.

§ 51.5-146. Adult services.

Adult services provided by the Department together with local departments of social services shall include:

1. Home-based services, including homemaker, companion, or chore services, which will allow individuals to attain or maintain self-care and are likely to prevent or reduce dependency, to the extent that federal or state matching funds are made available for such purpose;

2. Adult foster care, including recruitment, approval, and supervision of adult foster care homes;

3. Participation in nursing home pre-admission screenings of all individuals pursuant to § 32.1-330;

4. Provision of assisted living facility assessments of residents and applicants pursuant to § 63.2-1804;

5. Participation in long-term care service coordination pursuant to § 51.5-138;

6. Provision of social services or public assistance as defined in § 63.2-100, as appropriate, to consumers discharged from state hospitals or training centers pursuant to §§ 37.2-505 and 37.2-837; and

7. Participation in such other services or programs as may be required pursuant to state or federal law.

§ 51.5-147. Appeal to Commissioner regarding home-based and adult foster care services.

Any applicant for or recipient of home-based and adult foster care services aggrieved by any decision of a local board in granting, denying, changing, or discontinuing services may, within 30 days after receiving written notice of such decision, appeal therefrom to the Commissioner. Any applicant or recipient aggrieved by the failure of the local board to make a decision within a reasonable time may ask for review by the Commissioner. The Commissioner may delegate the duty and authority to duly qualified hearing officers to consider and make determinations on any appeal or review. The Commissioner shall provide an opportunity for a hearing, reasonable notice of which shall be given in writing to the applicant or recipient and to the proper local board in such manner and form as the Commissioner may prescribe. The Commissioner may make or cause to be made an investigation of the facts. The Commissioner shall give fair and impartial consideration to the testimony of witnesses, or other evidence produced at the hearing, reports of investigation of the local board and local director or of investigations made or caused to be made by the Commissioner, or any facts which the Commissioner may deem proper to enable him to decide fairly the appeal or review. The decision of the Commissioner shall be binding and considered a final agency action for purposes of judicial review of such action pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

Article 5.

Adult Protective Services.

§ 51.5-148. Establishment of Adult Protective Services Unit; powers and duties.

A. The Department shall have responsibility for the planning and oversight of adult protective services in the Commonwealth. The Commissioner shall establish within the Department for the Aging, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Blind and Vision Impaired, and Rehabilitative Services an Adult Protective Services Unit which shall oversee the planning, administration, and implementation of adult protective services in the Commonwealth. Adult protective services shall be provided to the public by local departments of social services pursuant to Chapter 16 (§ 63.2-1600 et seq.) of Title 63.2 in cooperation with the Department and subject to the regulations and oversight of the Commissioner.

B. The Adult Protective Services Unit shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To work together with local departments of social services to support, strengthen, and evaluate adult protective services programs provided by such local departments;

2. To assist local departments of social services in developing and implementing programs to respond to and prevent adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation;

3. To prepare, disseminate, and present educational programs and materials on adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation to mandated reporters and the public;

4. To establish minimum standards of training and provide educational opportunities to qualify social workers in the field of adult protective services to determine whether reports of adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation are substantiated. The Department shall establish and provide a uniform training program for adult protective services workers in the Commonwealth. All adult protective services workers shall complete such training within one year from the date of implementation of the training program or within the first year of their employment;

5. To develop policies and procedures to guide the work of persons in the field of adult protective services;

6. To prepare and disseminate statistical information on adult protective services in Virginia;

7. To operate an adult protective services 24-hour toll-free hotline and provide training and technical assistance to the hotline staff;

8. To provide coordination among the adult protective services program and other state agencies; and

9. To work collaboratively with other agencies in the Commonwealth to facilitate the reporting and investigation of suspected adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Article 6.

Virginia Public Guardian and Conservator Program.

§ 51.5-149. Policy statement; Virginia Public Guardian and Conservator Program established; definitions.

A. The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to ensure that persons who cannot adequately care for themselves because of incapacity (in this article, also referred to as "clients") are able to meet essential requirements for physical and emotional health and management of financial resources with the assistance of a guardian or conservator, as appropriate, in circumstances where (i) the incapacitated person's financial resources are insufficient to fully compensate a private guardian or conservator and pay court costs and fees associated with the appointment proceeding and (ii) there is no other proper and suitable person willing and able to serve in such capacity or there is no guardian or conservator appointed within one month of adjudication pursuant to § 37.2-1015. In order to ensure that the protection and assistance of a guardian or conservator are available to all incapacitated persons in the Commonwealth, there is established the statewide Virginia Public Guardian and Conservator Program (the Program) within the Department to (i) facilitate the creation of local or regional programs to provide services as public guardians or conservators and (ii) fund, coordinate, administer, and manage such programs.

B. The definitions found in § 37.2-1000 shall apply to this article.

§ 51.5-150. Powers and duties of the Department with respect to public guardian and conservator program.

A. The Department shall fund from appropriations received for such purpose a statewide system of local or regional public guardian and conservator programs.

B. The Department shall:

1. Make and enter into all contracts necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and in furtherance of the purposes as specified in this article in conformance with the Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.);

2. Contract with local or regional public or private entities to provide services as guardians and conservators operating as local or regional Virginia public guardian and conservator programs in those cases in which a court, pursuant to §§ 37.2-1010 and 37.2-1015, determines that a person is eligible to have a public guardian or conservator appointed;

3. Adopt reasonable regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) as appropriate to implement, administer, and manage the state and local or regional programs authorized by this article, including, but not limited to, the adoption of:

a. Minimum training and experience requirements for volunteers and professional staff of the local and regional programs;

b. An ideal range of staff to client ratios for the programs, and adoption of procedures to be followed whenever a local or regional program falls below or exceeds the ideal range of staff to client ratios, which shall include, but not be limited to, procedures to ensure that services shall continue to be available to those in need and that appropriate notice is given to the courts, sheriffs, where appropriate, and the Department; and

c. Procedures governing disqualification of any program falling below or exceeding the ideal range of staff to client ratios, which shall include a process for evaluating any program that has exceeded the ratio to assess the effects falling below or exceeding the ideal range of ratios has, had, or is having upon the program and upon the incapacitated persons served by the program.

The regulations shall require that evaluations occur no less frequently than every six months and shall continue until the staff to client ratio returns to within the ideal range;

4. Establish procedures and administrative guidelines to ensure the separation of local or regional Virginia public guardian and conservator programs from any other guardian or conservator program operated by the entity with whom the Department contracts, specifically addressing the need for separation in programs that may be fee-generating;

5. Establish recordkeeping and accounting procedures to ensure that each local or regional program (i) maintains confidential, accurate, and up-to-date records of the personal and property matters over which it has control for each incapacitated person for whom it is appointed guardian or conservator and (ii) files with the Department an account of all public and private funds received;

6. Establish criteria for the conduct of and filing with the Department and as otherwise required by law: values history surveys, annual decisional accounting and assessment reports, the care plan designed for the incapacitated person, and such other information as the Department may by regulation require;

7. Establish criteria to be used by the local and regional programs in setting priorities with regard to services to be provided;

8. Take such other actions as are necessary to ensure coordinated services and a reasonable review of all local and regional programs;

9. Maintain statistical data on the programs and report such data to the General Assembly on or before January 1 of each even-numbered year as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents regarding the status of the Virginia Public Guardian and Conservator Program and the developing trends with regard to the need for guardians, conservators, and other types of surrogate decision-making services. Such statistical data shall be posted on the Department's website. In addition, the Department shall enter into a contract with an appropriate research entity with expertise in gerontology, disabilities, and public administration to conduct an evaluation of local public guardian and conservator programs from funds specifically appropriated and allocated for this purpose, and the evaluator shall provide a report with recommendations to the Department and to the Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board established pursuant to § 2.2-2411. Trends identified in the report shall be presented to the General Assembly. The Department shall request such a report from an appropriate research entity every four years, provided the General Assembly appropriates funds for that purpose; and

10. Recommend appropriate legislative or executive actions.

C. Nothing in this article shall prohibit the Department from contracting pursuant to subdivision B 2 with an entity that may also provide privately funded surrogate decision-making services, including guardian and conservator services funded with fees generated by the estates of incapacitated persons, provided such private programs are administered by the contracting entity entirely separately from the local or regional Virginia public guardian and conservator programs, in conformity with regulations established by the Department in that respect.

D. In accordance with the Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.) and recommendations of the Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board, the Department may contract with a not-for-profit private entity that does not provide services to incapacitated persons as guardian or conservator to administer the program, and, if it does, the term "Department" when used in this article shall refer to the contract administrator.

§ 51.5-151. Minimum requirements for local programs; authority.

Every local or regional program with which the Department contracts to provide services as a public guardian or conservator shall (i) furnish bond with corporate surety in an amount deemed sufficient by the Department to afford adequate financial protection to the maximum number of incapacitated persons to be served by the program; (ii) have in place a multidisciplinary panel to (a) screen cases for the purpose of ensuring that appointment of a guardian or conservator is appropriate under the circumstances and is the least restrictive alternative available to assist the incapacitated person and (b) continually review cases being handled by the program as required by the Department; (iii) accept only appointments as guardian or conservator that generate no fee or would generate a minimal fee as defined by regulation payable from a public source of funds and not from the estate of the incapacitated person; (iv) have a direct service staff to client ratio that is consistent with that specified by regulation of the Department; and (v) develop a plan, in consultation with the local circuit court and sheriffs, where appropriate, to provide advance notice to the court when the program falls below or exceeds the ideal range of staff to client ratios in order to assure continuity of services. Volunteers shall not be counted for purposes of ascertaining compliance with the staff to client ratio specified by the Department.

A local or regional program that exceeds the specified staff to client ratio shall not be disqualified from serving as a guardian or conservator except as provided by regulation or if the court or the Department finds that there is an immediate threat to the person or property of any incapacitated person or that exceeding the specified ratio is having or will have a material and adverse effect on the ability of the program to properly serve all of the incapacitated persons it has been designated to serve.

A local or regional program appointed as a guardian or conservator shall have all the powers and duties specified in Article 2 (§ 37.2-1019 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 37.2, except as otherwise specifically limited by the court. In addition, a public guardian or conservator shall have a continuing duty to seek a proper and suitable person who is willing and able to serve as guardian or conservator for the incapacitated person. A public guardian or conservator shall have authority to make funeral, cremation, or burial arrangements if the public guardian or conservator is not aware of any person that has been otherwise designated to make arrangements for disposition of remains as set forth in § 54.1-2825. A public guardian or conservator shall have authority to make funeral, cremation, or burial arrangements after the death of an incapacitated person if the next of kin of the incapacitated person does not wish to make the arrangements and the public guardian or conservator has made a good faith effort to locate the next of kin to determine if the next of kin wishes to make the burial, cremation, or funeral arrangements. Good faith effort shall include contacting the next of kin identified in the petition for appointment of a guardian or conservator. The funeral service licensee, funeral service establishment, registered crematory, public guardian, or conservator shall be immune from civil liability for any act, decision, or omission resulting from acceptance of any dead body for burial, cremation, or other disposition when the provisions of this section are met, unless such acts, decisions, or omissions resulted from bad faith or malicious intent.

A public guardian shall not have authority to approve or authorize a sterilization procedure except when specific authority has been given pursuant to a proceeding in the circuit court. A public guardian may authorize admission of an incapacitated person to a mental health facility as provided in subsection B of § 37.2-805.1 and may authorize mental health treatment, including the administration of psychotropic medication, unless the appointing court specifically provides otherwise.

A local or regional program appointed as a guardian or conservator may delegate the powers, duties, and responsibilities to individual volunteers or professional staff as authorized in the contract with the Department.

In addition to funds received from the Department, a local or regional program may accept private funds solely for the purposes of providing public education, supplemental services for incapacitated persons, and support services for private guardians and conservators, consistent with the purposes of this article.

Article 7.

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders.

§ 51.5-152. Powers and duties of the Department with respect to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

The Department shall serve as a referral point for linking families caring for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders with Virginia's chapters of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association. The Department shall provide information, counseling, and referral about services and programs that may support individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

§ 51.5-153. Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund.

There is established a fund to be known as the Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be administered by the Virginia Center on Aging and the awards shall be made through an awards committee consisting of representatives from the scientific and medical communities and the general public. The awards shall be given annually to scientists in Virginia in order to support research into the causes of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, methods of treatment, ways that families can cope with the stresses of the disease, and the impact of the disease on the citizens of the Commonwealth.

§ 51.5-154. Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission.

A. The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission (the Commission) is established as an advisory commission in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the entity is to assist people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers.

B. The Commission shall consist of 15 nonlegislative citizen members. Members shall be appointed as follows: three members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; two members to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and 10 members to be appointed by the Governor, of whom seven shall be from among the boards, staffs, and volunteers of the Virginia chapters of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association and three shall be from the public at large.

Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All members may be reappointed. However, no nonlegislative citizen member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

The Commission shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership. A majority of the voting members shall constitute a quorum. The Commission shall meet at least four times each year. The meetings of the Commission shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the voting members so request.

C. Members shall receive such compensation for the discharge of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2813. All members shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided by the Department.

D. The Commission shall have the power and duty to:

1. Examine the needs of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, as well as the needs of their caregivers, and ways that state government can most effectively and efficiently assist in meeting those needs;

2. Develop and promote strategies to encourage brain health and reduce cognitive decline;

3. Advise the Governor and General Assembly on policy, funding, regulatory, and other issues related to persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers;

4. Develop the Commonwealth's plan for meeting the needs of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers, and advocate for such plan;

5. Submit to the Governor, General Assembly, and Department by October 1 of each year an electronic report regarding the activities and recommendations of the Commission, which shall be posted on the Department's website; and

6. Establish priorities for programs among state agencies related to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and criteria to evaluate these programs.

E. The Department shall provide staff support to the Commission. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.

F. The Commission may apply for and expend such grants, gifts, or bequests from any source as may become available in connection with its duties under this section and may comply with such conditions and requirements as may be imposed in connections therewith.

G. This section shall expire on July 1, 2014.

Article 8.

Virginia Respite Care Grant Program.

§ 51.5-155. Definitions.

As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Adult day care services" means the provision of supplementary care and protection during a part of the day only to older adults or disabled adults. Such services may be in or away from the residence of the older adults or adults with disabilities.

"Community respite care organization" means a local subdivision of the Commonwealth, a combination of political subdivisions, a separate public agency, or a private nonprofit agency exempt under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which has the authority under its applicable charter, laws, or articles of organization to receive funds to support respite care activities.

"Fund" means the Virginia Respite Care Grant Fund established by § 51.5-157.

"Respite care" means the provision of supplementary care and protection for older, infirm, or disabled adults. Respite care includes, but is not limited to, adult day care services.

§ 51.5-156. Respite Care Grant Program established.

Beginning January 1, 2001, any community respite care organization shall be eligible to receive an annual respite care grant in the amount of up to $100,000 for the development, expansion, or start-up operation of adult day care services or other services that provide respite care to older, infirm, or disabled adults. The grants under this article shall be paid from the Fund, as provided in this article, to the community respite care organization. As a condition of a grant, money appropriated from such fund shall be matched by community respite care organization funds (in-kind or cash) earmarked for the development or expansion of respite care services. The total amount of grants to be paid under this article for any year shall not exceed the amount appropriated by the General Assembly to the Fund for payment to community respite care organizations for such year. Only one grant shall be allowed annually for each community respite care organization under the provisions of this section.

§ 51.5-157. Virginia Respite Care Grant Fund established.

There is hereby established a special fund in the state treasury to be known as the Virginia Respite Care Grant Fund, which shall be administered by the Department. The Fund shall include such moneys as may be appropriated by the General Assembly from time to time and designated for the Fund. The Fund shall be used solely for the payment of grants to community respite care organizations pursuant to this article. Unallocated moneys in the Fund in any year shall remain in the Fund and be available for allocation for grants under this article in ensuing fiscal years.

§ 51.5-158. Grant application process; administration.

A. Grant applications shall be submitted by community respite care organizations to the Department between December 1 and March 1. Failure to meet the application deadline shall render the community respite care organization ineligible to receive a grant during such calendar year. For filings by mail, the postmark cancellation shall govern the date of the filing determination.

B. Applications for grants shall include (i) identification of the community respite care organization, (ii) identification of the matching funds, and (iii) such other relevant information as the Department may require. As a condition of receipt of a grant, a community respite care organization shall agree to make available to the Department for inspection, upon request, all relevant and applicable documents to determine whether the community respite care organization meets the requirements for the receipt of grants as set forth in this article, and to consent to the use by the Department, for official purposes, of all relevant information relating to eligibility for the requested grant.

C. The Department shall review applications for grants and determine the amount of the grant to be allocated to each community respite care organization in accordance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.).

D. A community respite care organization shall have no claim against the Commonwealth with respect to any grant authorized by this article.

E. The Department shall certify to the Comptroller the amount of grant to be allocated to eligible applicants. Payments shall be made by check issued by the State Treasurer on warrant of the Comptroller. The Comptroller shall not draw any warrants to issue checks for this program without a specific legislative appropriation as specified in conditions and restrictions on expenditures in the appropriation act.

F. Actions of the Department relating to the review, allocation, and awarding of grants shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) pursuant to subdivision B 4 of § 2.2-4002. Decisions of the Department shall be final and not subject to review or appeal.

G. The Department may examine the records, books, and other applicable documents to determine whether the community respite care organization has satisfied the requirements for grants as set forth in this section.

Article 9.

Auxiliary Grants.

§ 51.5-159. Definitions.

For the purposes of this article:

"Auxiliary grant" means cash payments made to certain older, blind, or disabled individuals who receive benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, as amended, or would be eligible to receive such benefits but for excessive income.

"Case manager" means an employee of a human services agency who is qualified and designated to develop and coordinate plans of care.

§ 51.5-160. Auxiliary grants program; administration of program.

A. The Commissioner is authorized to prepare and implement, effective with repeal of Titles I, X, and XIV of the Social Security Act, a plan for a state and local funded auxiliary grants program to provide assistance to certain individuals ineligible for benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, as amended, and to certain other individuals for whom benefits provided under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, as amended, are not sufficient to maintain the minimum standards of need established by regulations promulgated by the Commissioner. The plan shall be in effect in all political subdivisions in the Commonwealth and shall be administered in conformity with regulations of the Commissioner.

Nothing herein is to be construed to affect any such section as it relates to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, general relief, or services to persons eligible for assistance under P.L. 92-603.

B. Those individuals who receive an auxiliary grant and who reside in licensed assisted living facilities or adult foster care homes shall be entitled to a personal needs allowance when computing the amount of the auxiliary grant. The amount of such personal needs allowance shall be set forth in the appropriation act.

C. The Commissioner shall adopt regulations for the administration of the auxiliary grants program that shall include requirements for the Department to use in establishing auxiliary grant rates for licensed assisted living facilities and adult foster care homes. At a minimum, these requirements shall address (i) the process for the facilities and homes to use in reporting their costs, including allowable costs and resident charges, the time period for reporting costs, forms to be used, financial reviews, and audits of reported costs; (ii) the process to be used in calculating the auxiliary grant rates for the facilities and homes; and (iii) the services to be provided to the auxiliary grant recipient and paid for by the auxiliary grant and not charged to the recipient's personal needs allowance.

D. In order to receive an auxiliary grant while residing in an assisted living facility, an individual shall have been evaluated by a case manager or other qualified assessor to determine his need for residential living care. An individual may be admitted to an assisted living facility pending evaluation and assessment as allowed by regulations of the Commissioner, but in no event shall any public agency incur a financial obligation if the individual is determined ineligible for an auxiliary grant. The Commissioner shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this subsection.

E. Provisions of Chapter 5 (§ 63.2-500 et seq.) of Title 63.2, relating to the administration of public assistance programs, shall govern operations of the auxiliary grant program established pursuant to this section.

Article 10.

Community-Based Services for People with Disabilities.

§ 51.5-161. Awarding of grants; purposes; eligible applicants.

A. The Department is authorized, subject to other requirements of this law, to make grants or enter into contracts, in accordance with rules and regulations of the Commissioner, for the following purposes:

1. To promote a philosophy of independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of society by:

a. Providing financial assistance for expanding and improving the provision of independent living services; and

b. Providing financial assistance to develop and support a statewide network of centers for independent living; and

2. To assist employers in employing, training, and providing other related services to persons with significant disabilities.

B. Applications for the grants and contracts authorized in subdivision A 1 may be made by consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agencies that (i) are designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and (ii) provide an array of independent living services. Each applicant shall be established and shall have a governing board, the majority of whose members shall be persons with disabilities, for the sole purpose of operating the independent living center.

C. Applications for the grants and contracts authorized in subdivision A 2 may be made by employers in the Commonwealth who wish to take affirmative steps to employ and advance in employment persons with disabilities.

§ 51.5-162. Independent living services.

Independent living services provided pursuant to this article shall be provided in accordance with the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.), as amended.

§ 51.5-163. Centers for independent living.

A. Services provided through grants or contracts with centers for independent living pursuant to this article shall include:

1. Advocacy;

2. Peer counseling;

3. Independent living skills training; and

4. Information and referral.

Services may include other services deemed necessary by the local consumer base.

B. Centers for independent living funded in whole or in part by the Department shall be staffed by persons with disabilities who are trained in the philosophy of independent living. The majority of management staff shall include persons with disabilities.

§ 51.5-164. Statewide Independent Living Council created.

The Statewide Independent Living Council is hereby created to plan, together with the Department, activities carried out under Title VII of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 796 et seq.) and to provide advice to the Department regarding such activities. Membership and duties shall be constructed according to federal provisions. The Department shall provide staff support for the Council.

§ 51.5-165. Projects with employers.

A. Projects with employers pursuant to this article shall be designed to provide vocational rehabilitation in a realistic employment setting and to provide on-the-job training for persons with disabilities.

B. Services provided by an employer may include:

1. Job orientation;

2. On-the-job training;

3. Job-related basic education;

4. Job coaching and supportive services;

5. Supervisory and human relations training;

6. Special equipment and building alteration; and

7. Other services necessary to prepare persons with disabilities for competitive employment and to assist them during employment.

§ 51.5-166. Eligibility criteria.

The Commissioner shall establish eligibility criteria for services to be applied by programs awarded grants pursuant to this article. Such criteria shall provide that:

1. Eligibility shall be determined without regard to sex, race, national origin, religion, or type of impairment of the person applying for the service; and

2. Preference shall be given to applicants for services whose impairments are so severe that they do not presently have the potential for employment, but whose ability to live and function independently within their family settings or communities may be improved by the services for which they have applied.

§ 51.5-167. Participation by clients in cost of services.

The Commissioner shall establish written standards for determining the extent to which a client shall be financially responsible for the cost of services funded in whole or in part by the Department. Each public or private agency awarded a grant or contract in accordance with § 51.5-161 shall utilize the Commissioner's regulations to maximize the financial participation of persons receiving services.

§ 51.5-168. Rights of clients.

The Commissioner shall establish written standards governing the rights of clients of services provided by public or private agencies in accordance with § 51.5-161. Each such public and private agency shall educate clients and staff regarding those rights and shall provide a procedure to fairly and impartially resolve conflicts and complaints about alleged violations of those rights. Each such agency shall make referrals consistent with the provisions of 29 U.S.C. § 732.

§ 51.5-169. Cooperative agreements with community services boards and schools.

No services funded under the authority of this article shall be provided to:

1. Persons whose primary impairment is mental illness, mental retardation, or substance abuse, except by cooperative agreement with the local community services board established pursuant to Chapter 5 (§ 37.2-500 et seq.) of Title 37.2 when that board is currently offering the same services; or

2. Public school-age persons, except by cooperative agreement with that person's school.

Article 11.

Vocational Rehabilitation.

§ 51.5-170. Eligibility.

The Commissioner shall adopt written standards for determining eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services provided or funded, in whole or in part, by the Department, which ensure that eligibility is determined without regard to sex, race, national origin, religion, or type of impairment of the person applying for services and is determined solely by reference to specific written criteria.

§ 51.5-171. Assessment.

When an individual applies for vocational rehabilitation services provided or funded by the Department, in whole or in part, an assessment shall be made to determine eligibility for benefits according to the standards adopted pursuant to § 51.5-170. If, after an assessment, eligibility is established, a comprehensive assessment shall be conducted to ascertain the nature and scope of services needed by the applicant. Both assessments shall be carried out with the involvement of the applicant and his parents or guardian if appropriate. Both assessments shall include, when appropriate, (i) a review of existing data and, to the extent necessary, the provision of appropriate assessment activities to obtain necessary data to determine eligibility and services needed; (ii) referral for the provision of rehabilitation technology services to assess and develop the individual's capacities to perform in a work environment; and (iii) referral to other agencies and organizations for appropriate assessment services.

§ 51.5-172. Individualized plan for employment.

A written individualized plan for employment for each recipient of vocational rehabilitation services provided or funded by the Department, in whole or in part, shall be developed within a reasonable time and agreed to and signed by the client, his parents or guardian, if appropriate, and a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor employed by the Department. The plan shall be reviewed at least annually by the client, his parents or guardian, if appropriate, and the qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor.

§ 51.5-173. Services for individuals.

A. Vocational rehabilitation services provided by the Department shall address comprehensively the individual needs of each client to the maximum extent possible with resources available to the Department, through the following:

1. An assessment for determining eligibility and vocational needs by qualified personnel, including, if appropriate, an assessment by personnel skilled in rehabilitation technology;

2. Counseling and guidance, including information and support services to assist an individual in exercising informed choice, and referral necessary to help applicants or clients to secure needed services from other agencies;