Virginia Law

A. Applications of units of general purpose local government to serve as designated Area Agencies on Aging within established planning and service areas or to create a new planning and service area shall be made only by formal resolution of city councils or county boards of supervisors and must be submitted in writing to the Commissioner of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. Such new entities, if approved, shall become effective with the beginning of the terms of their approved Area Plan for Aging Services and the contract incorporating such plan, upon execution of the contract. Any application for new Area Agency on Aging status or new planning and service area status shall be submitted prior to July 1 of the year preceding the year in which the new status would become effective.

B. The application for new Area Agency on Aging status or for new planning and service area status shall contain the proposed Area Plan for Aging Services and shall show the following:

1. All the city councils and county boards of supervisors in the planning and service area which would be affected have consented to the proposed change.

2. The proposed change will not result in creation of an Area Agency on Aging or new planning and service area which would receive less than 1.0% of the formula fund allocation for Virginia, according to the allocation method used by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services for the year in which the application is submitted.

3. Provision of services in a proposed new planning and service area or by a proposed new Area Agency on Aging shall be shown, by clear and convincing evidence, to assure more efficient and effective preparation and implementation of the Area Plan for Aging Services for the older Virginians within the planning and service area.

C. Upon receipt of an application which meets the foregoing requirements, the Commissioner of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services shall provide a public hearing in the planning and service area. At least a 30-day notice shall be provided through publication in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in the cities and counties to be affected by the proposed new entity and its submitted Area Plan for Aging Services. Notification shall be mailed to the local governments and all other interested Area Agencies on Aging. The public hearing shall be held at a time and location as convenient as possible to the citizens of the cities and counties affected by the proposed change. The commissioner or a hearing officer designated by the commissioner will preside at the hearing. At the public hearing, interested persons may speak for themselves or be represented by counsel, and written presentations may be submitted. Following the public hearing and for at least 30 days thereafter, the commissioner will receive any additional written information which citizens or organizations wish to submit.

D. In addition to the public hearing and reception of comments by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and the commissioner, as provided above, the commissioner shall consult with the Department of Planning and Budget, pursuant to § 2.2-1501(2) of the Code of Virginia, whenever a new planning and service area is proposed, and the approval of that department shall be persuasive.

E. Within 120 days of the public hearing, the commissioner shall issue written findings of fact, the consideration of the Department of Planning and Budget, and a particularized conclusion and decision. In the case of a new planning and service area, its effective date shall be determined and stated. The designation of Area Agencies on Aging becomes effective upon approval of their Area Plans for Aging Services and execution of the contract.

F. Any applicant for designation as a new entity whose application is denied may request an administrative hearing, pursuant to the Virginia Administrative Process Act, § 2.2-4019 of the Code of Virginia, within 15 days of receipt of the written denial. If, after hearing, the applicant's request is still denied, the applicant may appeal the decision in writing within 30 days after receipt of the decision to the Commissioner of the U.S. Administration on Aging, pursuant to 45 CFR 1321.31.