Virginia Law

A. The following events shall be reported within 24 hours to: (i) the placing agency, (ii) the parent or legal guardian, or both, as applicable and appropriate, and (iii) the director or designee:

1. Any serious incident, accident, illness, or injury to the resident;

2. Any overnight absence from the facility without permission;

3. Any runaway;

4. Any fire, hostage or emergency situation, or natural disaster that jeopardizes the health, safety, and welfare of the residents; and

5. Any suspected case of child abuse or neglect at the facility, on a facility event or excursion, or involving facility staff as provided in 6VAC35-41-100 (suspected child abuse or neglect).

The 24-hour reporting requirement may be extended when the emergency situation or natural disaster has made such communication impossible (e.g., modes of communication are not functioning). In such cases, notice shall be provided as soon as feasible thereafter.

B. The provider shall notify the director or designee within 24 hours of any events detailed in subsection A of this section and all other situations required by the regulatory authority of which the facility has been notified.

C. Any incident involving the death of a resident shall be reported to the individuals specified in subsections A and B of this section without undue delay. If an incident involving the death of a resident occurs at the facility, the facility shall notify the parents or legal guardians, as appropriate and applicable, of all residents in the facility provided such notice does not violate any confidentiality requirements or jeopardize any law-enforcement or child protective services investigation or the prosecution of any criminal cases related to the incident.

D. The facility shall (i) prepare and maintain a written report of the events listed in subsections A and B of this section and (ii) submit a copy of the written report to the director or designee. The report shall contain the following information:

1. The date and time the incident occurred;

2. A brief description of the incident;

3. The action taken as a result of the incident;

4. The name of the person who completed the report;

5. The name or identifying information of the person who made the report to the placing agency and to either the parent or legal guardian, as appropriate and applicable; and

6. The name of or identifying information provided by the person to whom the report was made, including any law enforcement or child protective service personnel.

E. The resident's record shall contain a written reference (i) that an incident occurred and (ii) of all applicable reporting.

F. In addition to the requirements of this section, any serious incident involving an allegation of child abuse or neglect at the facility, at a facility sponsored event, or involving facility staff shall be governed by 6VAC35-41-100 (suspected child abuse or neglect).