Virginia Law

A. Local department review and recommendation.

1. When a director determines that a mandated reporter failed to report as required by § 63.2-1606 of the Code of Virginia, the director shall prepare a written statement of fact on a form provided by the department concerning the mandated reporter's failure to report. The director also shall prepare a letter notifying the mandated reporter of the intent to request imposition of a civil penalty. The letter shall state the mandated reporter's right to submit a written statement to the commissioner concerning the mandated reporter's failure to report. The date of the director's notification shall be the date of the letter to the mandated reporter. Any supporting documentation that the director considered in requesting the imposition of a civil penalty shall be provided to the mandated reporter. The letter, statement of facts, and any supporting documentation that the director considered in requesting the imposition of a civil penalty shall be sent to the mandated reporter by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.

2. At such time as the letter required under subdivision 1 of this subsection is sent, the director shall send a letter to the commissioner requesting the imposition of a civil penalty on the mandated reporter for failure to report. The statement of fact and the letter to the mandated reporter shall accompany the letter to the commissioner. Any supporting documentation that the director considered in requesting the imposition of a civil penalty shall be provided to the commissioner.

B. Statement from mandated reporter. Within 45 calendar days from the date of the director's notification to the mandated reporter of intent to request the imposition of a civil penalty, the mandated reporter may submit a written statement concerning his failure to report to the commissioner. Statements received by the commissioner after 45 calendar days will be deemed untimely and will not be considered.

C. Review by the commissioner's designee.

1. The commissioner's designee shall review the director's statement of facts, the mandated reporter's written statement, and any supporting documentation provided by the director in determining whether to impose a civil penalty.

2. In the case of law-enforcement officers who are alleged not to have reported as required, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall forward a recommendation to the court of competent jurisdiction.

3. Within 30 calendar days after the deadline for the commissioner's receipt of the mandated reporter's written statement, the commissioner's designee shall issue a final decision to the mandated reporter in writing, addressing whether a civil penalty will be imposed. The final decision shall include specifics of the violation charged, the reasons for the imposition of the civil penalty, and the amount of the penalty. The date of the final decision is the date the final decision is sent to the mandated reporter. The commissioner's designee shall also send a copy of the final decision to the director who recommended the imposition of the civil penalty.

D. Reconsideration of a final decision imposing a civil penalty shall be conducted in accordance with § 2.2-4023.1 of the Code of Virginia. The commissioner's review on reconsideration shall not include testimony, statements, or documentary submissions that were not included in the director's intent to request imposition of a civil penalty or presented to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee prior to issuance of the final decision.

E. Any mandated reporter has the right to appeal the decision to impose a civil penalty in accordance with § 2.2-4026 of the Code of Virginia and pursuant to Part 2 A of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.