Virginia Law

Agency 55. Department of Human Resource Management

Preface

VAC AGENCY NO. 55

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Department of Human Resource Management, established by § 2.2-1200 of the Code of Virginia, is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of statewide human resource policies and programs for the Commonwealth's workforce in accordance with the Virginia Personnel Act. The director is authorized to promulgate regulations necessary to carry out provisions of the laws administered by the department. The department has the delegated authority to develop and administer a uniform plan for classifying and compensating all state classified positions and to recommend compensation plan changes as determined necessary. It is responsible for developing new human resource policies and revising existing policies governing the management of state employees, subject to the Governor's approval, and for ensuring uniform interpretation and implementation of those policies by state agency managers. It establishes policies and guidelines for recruiting for classified positions and for evaluating the performance of classified employees. The department is responsible for the management and administration of  the workers' compensation insurance plan for state employees in accordance with § 2.2-2821. Code of Virginia, Title 2.2, Chapters 12 and 29.

The department designs and maintains human resource management information systems to support the operational needs of state agencies and to provide required information to the Governor, cabinet secretaries, and state legislators. It develops and administers a program that enforces a discrimination-free work environment and equal employment and advancement opportunities for state employees and applicants for state employment. The department shall establish guidelines for the content of executive branch agency succession plans for key personnel, executive positions, and employees nearing retirement and shall receive such reports annually. It plans, conducts, and coordinates a comprehensive program of employee training and management development to meet the needs of the Commonwealth's workforce. The department shall develop and administer training programs to familiarize the director of each agency in the executive branch of state government with state human resources policies, including general policies, compensation management, benefits administration, employee training, succession planning, and resources available at the department. The department shall offer such training programs at least twice per year. Code of Virginia, Title 2.2, Chapter 12.

The department is designated as the Governor's agent for developing and administering the Commonwealth's health benefits program for active and retired state employees and for active and retired employees of local constitutional officers, local governments and school boards and is required to promulgate rules regarding such program. Code of Virginia, Title 2.2, Chapter 28. The department also administers the Line of Duty Act (LODA) Health Benefits Plans for eligible LODA beneficiaries. Code of Virginia, Title 9.1, Chapter 4.

The department is authorized to establish a comprehensive employee relations management program that encompasses alternative mechanisms for resolving employment disputes, including the development of a statewide mediation program and the implementation of training programs for human resources and supervisory personnel on employee relations management and employment rights and responsibilities, including the grievance procedure. The department operates as the administrator of the state employee grievance procedure by taking such actions as (i) developing the grievance procedure, (ii) rendering final decisions on all matters related to access to the grievance procedure, procedural compliance with the grievance procedure, and qualification for hearing, (iii) selecting and appointing hearing officers, and (iv) adopting rules and setting fees for grievance hearings. The department is also authorized to investigate allegations of retaliation as the result of use of or participation in the grievance procedure or of reporting, in good faith, an allegation of fraud, waste, or abuse to the State Employee Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline and advise the applicable agency head of the findings. Code of Virginia, Title 2.2, Chapters 12 and 30.

The department is responsible for overall administration of Executive Order Number Nine (2026) dealing with equal employment opportunity.

The department operates under the supervision of the Secretary of Administration. Copies of the department's rules, manuals, policy directives, memoranda of instruction, and brochures related to administration of the Virginia Personnel Act may be obtained from the DHRM website. In addition, regulations and forms are available at the department's central office at Main Street Centre, 600 East Main Street, Floor 17, Richmond, VA 23219. Internet address: http://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/.

Rev. 7/2026

Chapter 10

Public Participation Guidelines [Repealed]Read all

Section 10

[Repealed]

Section 20

[Repealed]

Section 30

[Repealed]

Section 40

[Repealed]

Section 50

[Repealed]

Chapter 11

Public Participation GuidelinesRead all

Part I

Purpose and Definitions

Section 10

Purpose

Section 20

Definitions

Part II

Notification of Interested Persons

Section 30

Notification List

Section 40

Information to Be Sent to Persons on the Notification List

Part III

Public Participation Procedures

Section 50

Public Comment

Section 60

Petition for Rulemaking

Section 70

Appointment of Regulatory Advisory Panel

Section 80

Appointment of Negotiated Rulemaking Panel

Section 90

Meetings

Section 100

Public Hearings on Regulations

Section 110

Periodic Review of Regulations

Chapter 20

Commonwealth of Virginia Health Benefits ProgramRead all

Section 10

[Repealed]

Part I

General

Section 20

Definitions

Section 30

Designee and Delegations of Authority

Section 40

[Repealed]

Section 50

[Repealed]

Section 60

Types of Plans

Section 70

Procurement

Section 80

Plan Assets

Section 90

Appeals

Section 100

No Presumption of Right

Section 110

Authority to Withhold Revenues

Section 120

[Repealed]

Part II

Rights and Duties of the Department

Section 130

Develop Health Benefits Program

Section 140

Underwriting

Section 150

Employer Application

Section 160

Establishing Contribution Rates and Accounting for Contributions and Claims

Section 170

Information to Local Employers

Section 180

Information to Local Employees

Section 190

Confidentiality

Section 200

Reports

Section 210

Oversight

Part III

Local Employer Participation

Section 220

Eligible Employers

Section 230

Entrance into the Health Benefits Program

Section 240

Payment of Contributions

Section 250

Enrollment

Section 260

Minimum Local Employer Contributions

Section 270

Selection of Plans

Section 280

Commencement of Local Employer Participation

Section 290

Reparticipation of Local Employers

Section 300

Ceasing Participation in the Health Benefits Program

Section 310

Compliance

Part IV

Employee Participation

Section 320

Eligible Employees

Section 330

Enrollment Form or Enrollment Action

Section 340

Payment of Contributions

Section 350

Membership

Section 360

Choice of Plans

Section 370

Effective Date of Coverage

Section 380

Leave of Absence

Section 390

Termination of Coverage

Section 400

Termination of Employment

Section 410

Suspension and Reinstatement of State Employees

Section 420

[Repealed]

Section 430

Coordination of Benefits

Section 440

Claims

Part V

Benefits Plans

Section 450

Basic Plan

Section 460

Alternative Health Benefit Plans

Section 470

Benefits Coverage

Section 480

Department Discretion

FORMS

Forms (1VAC55-20)

Chapter 30

Long-Term Care Regulations [Repealed]Read all

Section 10

[Repealed]

Section 20

[Repealed]

Section 30

[Repealed]

Section 40

[Repealed]

Section 50

[Repealed]

Section 60

[Repealed]

Section 70

[Repealed]

Section 80

[Repealed]

Section 90

[Repealed]