Virginia Law

A. Research not involving greater than minimal risk. The covered entity may conduct or fund research in which the HRRC finds that no greater than minimal risk to minors is presented, only if the HRRC finds that adequate provisions are made for soliciting the assent of the minors and the permission of their parents or guardians, pursuant to subsection E of this section.

B. Research involving greater than minimal risk but presenting the prospect of direct benefit to the individual subjects. The covered entity may conduct or fund research in which the HRRC finds that more than minimal risk to minors is presented by an intervention or procedure that holds out the prospect of direct benefit for the individual subject, or by a monitoring procedure that is likely to contribute to the subject's well-being, only if the HRRC finds that:

1. The risk is justified by the anticipated benefit to the subjects;

2. The relation of the anticipated benefit to the risk is at least as favorable to the subjects as that presented by available alternative approaches; and

3. Adequate provisions are made for soliciting the assent of the minors and permission of their parents or guardians, pursuant to subsection E of this section.

C. Research involving greater than minimal risk and no prospect of direct benefit to individual subjects, but likely to yield generalizable knowledge about the subject's disorder or condition. The covered entity may conduct or fund research in which the HRRC finds that more than minimal risk to minors is presented by an intervention or procedure that does not hold out the prospect of direct benefit for the individual subject, or by a monitoring procedure that is not likely to contribute to the well-being of the subject, only if the HRRC finds that:

1. The risk represents a minor increase over minimal risk;

2. The intervention or procedure presents experiences to subjects that are reasonably commensurate with those inherent in their actual or expected medical, dental, psychological, social, or educational situations;

3. The intervention or procedure is likely to yield generalizable knowledge about the subject's disorder or condition that is of vital importance for the understanding or amelioration of the subject's disorder or condition; and

4. Adequate provisions are made for soliciting assent of the minors and permission of their parents or guardians, pursuant to subsection E of this section.

D. Research not otherwise approvable that presents an opportunity to understand, prevent, or alleviate a serious problem affecting the health or welfare of minors. The covered entity may conduct or fund research that the HRRC does not believe meets the requirements pursuant to subsection A, B, or C of this section only if:

1. The HRRC finds that the research presents a reasonable opportunity to further the understanding, prevention, or alleviation of a serious problem affecting the health or welfare of minors; and

2. The Secretary of the United States Department of Education, after consultation with a panel of experts in pertinent disciplines (e.g., science, medicine, education, ethics, or law) and following opportunity for public review and comment, has determined either that:

a. The research in fact satisfies the conditions pursuant to subsection A, B, or C of this section, as applicable; or

b. (i) The research presents a reasonable opportunity to further the understanding, prevention, or alleviation of a serious problem affecting the health or welfare of minors; (ii) the research will be conducted in accordance with sound ethical principles; and (iii) adequate provisions are made for soliciting the assent of minors and the permission of their parents or guardians, pursuant to subsection E of this section.

E. Requirements for permission by parents or guardians and for assent by minors.

1. In addition to the determinations required under other applicable subsections of this section, the HRRC shall determine that adequate provisions are made for soliciting the assent of the minors, if in the judgment of the HRRC the minors are capable of providing assent. In determining whether minors are capable of assenting, the HRRC shall take into account the ages, maturity, and psychological state of the minors involved. This judgment may be made for all minors to be involved in research under a particular protocol, or for each minor, as the HRRC deems appropriate. If the HRRC determines that the capability of some or all of the minors is so limited that they cannot reasonably be consulted or that the intervention or procedure involved in the research holds out a prospect of direct benefit that is important to the health or well-being of the minors and is available only in the context of the research, the assent of the minors is not a necessary condition for proceeding with the research. Even if the HRRC determines that the subjects are capable of assenting, the HRRC still may waive the assent requirement under circumstances in which consent may be waived in accord with 22VAC30-40-100.

2. In addition to the determinations required under other applicable subsections of this section, the HRRC shall determine, in accordance with and to the extent that consent is required by 22VAC30-40-100, that adequate provisions are made for soliciting the permission of each minor's parent or parents or guardian. If parental permission is to be obtained, the HRRC may find that the permission of one parent is sufficient for research to be conducted pursuant to subsection A or B of this section. If research is covered pursuant to subsections C and D of this section and permission is to be obtained from parents, both parents shall give their permission unless one parent is deceased, unknown, incompetent, or not reasonably available, or if only one parent has legal responsibility for the care and custody of the minor. Only the legal custodial parent is able to give informed consent.

3. In addition to the provisions for waiver contained in 22VAC30-40-100, if the HRRC determines that a research protocol is designed for conditions or for a subject population for which parental or guardian permission is not a reasonable requirement to protect the subjects (for example, neglected or abused minors), it may waive the consent requirements in 22VAC30-40-100 and subdivision 2 of this subsection, provided an appropriate mechanism for protecting the minors who will participate as subjects in the research is substituted, and provided further that the waiver is not inconsistent with federal, state, or local law. The choice of an appropriate mechanism depends upon the nature and purpose of the activities described in the protocol, the risk and anticipated benefit to the research subjects, and their age, maturity, status, and condition.

4. Permission by parents or guardians shall be documented in accordance with and to the extent required by 22VAC30-40-100 L.

5. If the HRRC determines that assent is required, it shall also determine whether and how assent shall be documented.

F. Wards.

1. Minors who are wards of the state or any other agency, institution, or entity may be included in research approved under subsection C or D of this section only if that research is:

a. Related to their status as wards; or

b. Conducted in schools, camps, hospitals, institutions, or similar settings in which the majority of minors involved as subjects are not wards.

2. If research is approved under subdivision 1 of this subsection, the HRRC shall require appointment of an advocate for each minor who is a ward, in addition to any other individual acting on behalf of the minor as guardian or in loco parentis. One individual may serve as advocate for more than one minor. The advocate shall be an individual who has the background and experience to act in, and agrees to act in, the best interest of the minor for the duration of the minor's participation in the research and who is not associated in any way, except in the role as advocate or member of the HRRC, with the research, the investigator, or the guardian organization.