Part I. General Provisions
12VAC35-46-10. Definitions.
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"Allegation" means an accusation that a facility is operating without a license or receiving public funds for services it is not certified to provide.
"Allied health professional" means a professional who is involved with the delivery of health or related services pertaining to the identification, evaluation, and prevention of diseases and disorders, such as a certified substance abuse counselor, certified substance abuse counseling assistant, peer recovery support specialist, certified nurse aide, or occupational therapist.
"Annual" means within 13 months of the previous event or occurrence.
"Applicable state regulation" means any regulation that the department determines applies to the facility. The term includes, but is not necessarily limited to, regulations promulgated by the Departments of Education, Health, Housing and Community Development, or other state agencies.
"Applicant" means the person, corporation, partnership, association, or public agency that has applied for a license.
"ASAM" means the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
"Aversive stimuli" means the physical forces (e.g., sound, electricity, heat, cold, light, water, or noise) or substances (e.g., hot pepper sauce or pepper spray) measurable in duration and intensity that when applied to a resident are noxious or painful to the resident but in no case shall the term "aversive stimuli" include striking or hitting the individual with any part of the body or with an implement or pinching, pulling, or shaking the resident.
"Behavior support" means those principles and methods employed by a provider to help a child achieve positive behavior and to address and correct a child's inappropriate behavior in a constructive and safe manner in accordance with written policies and procedures governing program expectations, treatment goals, child and staff safety and security, and the child's individualized service plan.
"Behavior support assessment" means identification of a resident's behavior triggers, successful intervention strategies, anger and anxiety management options for calming, techniques for self-management, and specific goals that address the targeted behaviors that lead to emergency safety interventions.
"Body cavity search" means any examination of a resident's rectal or vaginal cavities, except the performance of medical procedures by medical personnel.
"Brain injury" means any injury to the brain that occurs after birth, but before age 65, that is acquired through traumatic or nontraumatic insults. Nontraumatic insults may include anoxia, hypoxia, aneurysm, toxic exposure, encephalopathy, surgical interventions, tumor, and stroke. Brain injury does not include hereditary, congenital, or degenerative brain disorders, or injuries induced by birth trauma.
"Brain Injury Waiver" means a Virginia Medicaid home and community-based waiver for persons with brain injury approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
"Care" or "treatment" means a set of individually planned interventions, training, habilitation, or supports that help a resident obtain or maintain an optimal level of functioning, reduce the effects of disability or discomfort, or ameliorate symptoms, undesirable changes, or conditions specific to physical, mental, behavioral, or social functioning.
"Child" means any person legally defined as a child under state law. The term includes residents and other children coming into contact with the resident or facility (e.g., visitors). When the term is used, the requirement applies to every child at the facility regardless of whether the child has been admitted to the facility for care (e.g., staff to child ratios apply to all children present even though some may not be residents).
"Child-placing agency" means any person licensed to place children in foster homes or adoptive homes or a local board of social services authorized to place children in foster homes or adoptive homes.
"Children's residential facility" or "facility" means a publicly or privately operated facility, other than a private family home, where 24-hour per day care is provided to children separated from their legal guardians and is required to be licensed or certified by the Code of Virginia except:
1. Any facility licensed by the Department of Social Services as a child-caring institution as of January 1, 1987, and that receives public funds; and
2. Acute-care private psychiatric hospitals serving children that are licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services under the Rules and Regulations for Licensing Providers by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, 12VAC35-105.
"Clinically managed, low-intensity residential care" or "Level of care 3.1" means providing an ongoing therapeutic environment for children requiring some structured support in which treatment is directed toward applying recovery skills; preventing relapse; improving emotional functioning; promoting personal responsibility; reintegrating the child into work, education, and family environments; and strengthening adaptive skills that may not have been achieved or have been diminished during the child's active addiction. A clinically managed, low-intensity residential care is also designed for the child suffering from chronic, long-term alcoholism or drug addiction and affords an extended period of time to establish sound recovery and a solid support system.
"Clinically managed, medium-intensity residential care" or "Level of care 3.5" means a substance use treatment program that offers 24-hour supportive treatment of children with significant psychological and social problems by credentialed addiction treatment professionals in an interdisciplinary treatment approach. The children served by clinically managed, medium-intensity residential care are children who are not sufficiently stable to benefit from outpatient treatment regardless of intensity of service.
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or his authorized agent.
"Complaint" means an accusation against a licensed facility regarding an alleged violation of regulations or law.
"Contraband" means any item prohibited by law or by the rules and regulations of the department, or any item that conflicts with the program or safety and security of the facility or individual residents.
"Corporal punishment" means punishment administered through the intentional inflicting of pain and discomfort to the body through actions such as, but not limited to (i) striking or hitting with any part of the body or with an implement; or (ii) any similar action that normally inflicts pain or discomfort.
"Counseling" means certain formal treatment interventions such as individual, family, and group modalities that provide for support and problem solving. Such interventions take place between provider staff and resident families or groups and are aimed at enhancing appropriate psychosocial functioning or personal sense of well-being.
"Corrective action plan" means the provider's pledged corrective action in response to cited areas of noncompliance documented by the department. A corrective action plan must be completed within a specified time.
"Crisis" means any acute emotional disturbance in which a resident presents an immediate danger to self or others or is at risk of serious mental or physical health deterioration caused by acute mental distress, behavioral or situational factors, or acute substance abuse related problems.
"Crisis intervention" means those activities aimed at the rapid management of a crisis.
"Day" means calendar day unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"Department" or "DBHDS" means the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
"Developmental disability" means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that (i) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments other than a sole diagnosis of mental illness; (ii) is manifested before the individual reaches 22 years of age; (iii) is likely to continue indefinitely; (iv) results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, or economic self-sufficiency; and (v) reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated. An individual from birth to nine years of age, inclusive, who has a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting three or more of the criteria described in clauses (i) through (v) if the individual without services and supports has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.
"Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" or "DSM" means the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, DSM-5, of the American Psychiatric Association.
"DOE" means the Department of Education.
"Emergency" means a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate action. Emergency does not include regularly scheduled time off for permanent staff or other situations that should reasonably be anticipated.
"Emergency admission" means the sudden, unplanned, unexpected admittance of a child who needs immediate care or a court-ordered placement.
"Goal" means expected results or conditions that usually involve a long period of time and that are written in behavioral terms in a statement of relatively broad scope. Goals provide guidance in establishing specific short-term objectives directed toward the attainment of the goal.
"Good character and reputation" means findings have been established and knowledgeable and objective people agree that the individual maintains business or professional, family, and community relationships that are characterized by honesty, fairness, truthfulness, and dependability, and has a history or pattern of behavior that demonstrates that the individual is suitable and able to care for, supervise, and protect children. Relatives by blood or marriage, and persons who are not knowledgeable of the individual, such as recent acquaintances, shall not be considered objective references.
"Group home" means a children's residential facility that is a community-based, homelike single dwelling, or its acceptable equivalent, other than the private home of the operator, and serves up to 12.
"Health record" means the file maintained by the provider that contains personal health information.
"Human research" means any systematic investigation including research development, testing, and evaluation, utilizing human subjects, that is designed to develop or contribute to generalized knowledge. Human research shall not include research exempt from federal research regulations pursuant to 45 CFR 46.101(b).
"Immediately" means directly without delay.
"Independent living program" means a competency-based program that is specifically approved by the department to provide the opportunity for the residents to develop the skills necessary to live successfully on their own following completion of the program.
"Individualized service plan" means a written plan of action developed and modified at intervals to meet the needs of a specific resident. It specifies measurable short and long-term goals, objectives, strategies, and time frames for reaching the goals and the individuals responsible for carrying out the plan.
"Intellectual disability" means a disability originating before 18 years of age, characterized concurrently by (i) significant subaverage intellectual functioning as demonstrated by performance on a standardized measure of intellectual functioning administered in conformity with accepted professional practice that is at least two standard deviations below the mean and (ii) significant limitations in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills.
"Legal guardian" means the natural or adoptive parents or other person, agency, or institution that has legal custody of a child.
"License" means a document verifying approval to operate a children's residential facility and that indicates the status of the facility regarding compliance with applicable state regulations.
"Live-in staff" means staff who are required to be on duty for a period of 24 consecutive hours or more during each work week.
"Living unit" means the space in which a particular group of children in care of a residential facility reside. A living unit contains sleeping areas, bath and toilet facilities, and a living room or its equivalent for use by the residents of the unit. Depending upon its design, a building may contain one living unit or several separate living units.
"Mechanical restraint" means the use of a mechanical device that cannot be removed by the individual to restrict the freedom of movement or functioning of a limb or a portion of an individual's body when that behavior places him or others at imminent risk.
"Medication" means prescribed and over-the-counter drugs.
"Medication administration" means the direct application of medications by injection, inhalation, or ingestion or any other means to a resident by (i) persons legally permitted to administer medications; or (ii) the resident at the direction and in the presence of persons legally permitted to administer medications.
"Medication assisted treatment" or "MAT" means the use of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide treatment of substance use disorders.
"Medication error" means an error made in administering a medication to a resident including the following: (i) the wrong medication is given to the resident; (ii) the wrong resident is given the medication; (iii) the wrong dosage is given to a resident; (iv) medication is given to a resident at the wrong time or not at all; and (v) the proper method is not used to give the medication to the resident. A medication error does not include a resident's refusal of offered medication.
"Motivational enhancement" means a person-centered approach that is collaborative, employs strategies to strengthen motivation for change, increases engagement in substance use services, resolves ambivalence about changing substance use behaviors, and supports individuals to set goals to change their substance use.
"Neurobehavioral services" means the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of cognitive, perceptual, behavioral, and other impairments caused by brain injury, that affect an individual's ability to function successfully in the community.
"Objective" means expected short-term results or conditions that must be met in order to attain a goal. Objectives are stated in measurable, behavioral terms and have a specified time for achievement.
"On-duty" means that period of time during which a staff person is responsible for the supervision of one or more children.
"On-site" means services that are delivered by the provider and are an integrated part of the overall service delivery system.
"Parent" means a natural or adoptive parent or surrogate parent appointed pursuant to DOE's regulations governing special education programs for students with disabilities. "Parent" means either parent unless the facility has been provided documentation that there is a legally binding instrument, a state law, or court order governing such matters as divorce, separation, or custody, that provides to the contrary.
"Pat down" means a thorough external body search of a clothed resident.
"Personal health information" means oral, written, or otherwise recorded information that is created or received by an entity relating to either an individual's physical or mental health or the provision of or payment for health care to an individual.
"Placement" means an activity by any person that provides assistance to a parent or legal guardian in locating and effecting the movement of a child to a foster home, adoptive home, or children's residential facility.
"Premises" means the tracts of land on which any part of a residential facility for children is located and any buildings on such tracts of land.
"Provider" means any person, entity, or organization, excluding an agency of the federal government by whatever name or designation, that delivers (i) residential services to children with mental illness, developmental disability, or substance abuse; or (ii) residential services for persons with brain injury.
"Record" means up-to-date written or automated information relating to one resident. This information includes social data, agreements, all correspondence relating to the care of the resident, service plans with periodic revisions, aftercare plans and discharge summary, and any other data related to the resident.
"Resident" means a person admitted to a children's residential facility for supervision, care, training, or treatment on a 24-hour per day basis.
"Residential treatment program" means 24-hour, supervised, medically necessary, out-of-home programs designed to provide necessary support and address mental health, behavioral, substance abuse, cognitive, or training needs of a child or adolescent in order to prevent or minimize the need for more intensive inpatient treatment. Services include, but shall not be limited to, assessment and evaluation, medical treatment (including medication), individual and group counseling, neurobehavioral services, and family therapy necessary to treat the child. The service provides active treatment or training beginning at admission related to the resident's principle diagnosis and admitting symptoms. These services do not include interventions and activities designed only to meet the supportive nonmental health special needs including personal care, habilitation, or academic educational needs of the resident.
"Respite care facility" means a facility that is specifically approved to provide short-term, periodic residential care to children accepted into its program in order to give the parents or legal guardians temporary relief from responsibility for their direct care.
"Rest day" means a period of not less than 24 consecutive hours during which a staff person has no responsibility to perform duties related to the facility.
"Restraint" means the use of a mechanical device, medication, physical intervention, or hands-on hold to prevent an individual from moving his body to engage in a behavior that places him or others at imminent risk. There are three kinds of restraints:
1. Mechanical restraint means the use of a mechanical device that cannot be removed by the individual to restrict the freedom of movement or functioning of a limb or a portion of an individual's body when that behavior places him or others at imminent risk.
2. Pharmacological restraint means the use of a medication that is administered involuntarily for the emergency control of an individual's behavior when that individual's behavior places him or others at imminent risk and the administered medication is not a standard treatment for the individual's medical or psychiatric condition.
3. Physical restraint, also referred to as manual hold, means the use of a physical intervention or hands-on hold to prevent an individual from moving his body when that individual's behavior places him or others at imminent risk.
"Routine admission" means the admittance of a child following evaluation of an application for admission and execution of a written placement agreement.
"Rules of conduct" means a listing of a facility's rules or regulations that is maintained to inform residents and others about behaviors that are not permitted and the consequences applied when the behaviors occur.
"Sanitizing agent" means any substance approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to destroy bacteria.
"Seclusion" means the involuntary placement of an individual alone in an area secured by a door that is locked or held shut by a staff person by physically blocking the door, or by any other physical or verbal means so that the individual cannot leave it.
"Self-admission" means the admittance of a child who seeks admission to a temporary care facility as permitted by Virginia statutory law without completing the requirements for "routine admission."
"Serious incident" means:
1. Any accident or injury requiring medical attention by a physician;
2. Any illness that requires hospitalization;
3. Any overnight absence from the facility without permission;
4. Any runaway; or
5. Any event that affects, or potentially may affect, the health, safety, or welfare of any resident being served by the provider.
"Serious injury" means any injury resulting in bodily hurt, damage, harm, or loss that requires medical attention by a licensed physician.
"Service" means planned individualized interventions intended to reduce or ameliorate mental illness, developmental disability, or substance abuse through care, treatment, training, habilitation, or other supports that are delivered by a provider to individuals with mental illness, developmental disability, or substance abuse. Services include residential services, including those for persons with brain injury.
"Severe weather" means extreme environment or climate conditions that pose a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of residents.
"Social skills training" means activities aimed at developing and maintaining interpersonal skills.
"Strategies" means a series of steps and methods used to meet goals and objectives.
"Strip search" means a visual inspection of the body of a resident when that resident's outer clothing or total clothing is removed and an inspection of the removed clothing. Strip searches are conducted for the detection of contraband.
"Structured program of care" means a comprehensive planned daily routine including appropriate supervision that meets the needs of each resident both individually and as a group.
"Student/intern" means an individual who simultaneously is affiliated with an educational institution and a residential facility. Every student/intern who is not an employee is either a volunteer or contractual service provider depending upon the relationship among the student/intern, educational institution, and facility.
"Substantial compliance" means that while there may be noncompliance with one or more regulations that represents minimal risk, compliance clearly and obviously exists with most of the regulations as a whole.
"Systemic deficiency" means violations documented by the department that demonstrate defects in the overall operation of the facility or one or more of its components.
"Target population" means individuals with a similar, specified characteristic or disability.
"Temporary contract worker" means an individual who is not a direct salaried employee of the provider but is employed by a third party and is not a consistently scheduled staff member.
"Therapy" means provision of direct diagnostic, preventive, and treatment services where functioning is threatened or affected by social and psychological stress or health impairment.
"Time out" means the involuntary removal of a resident by a staff person from a source of reinforcement to a different open location for a specified period of time or until the problem behavior has subsided to discontinue or reduce the frequency of problematic behavior.
"Treatment" means individually planned, sound, and therapeutic interventions that are intended to improve or maintain functioning of an individual receiving services in those areas that show impairment as the result of mental disability, substance addiction, or physical impairment. In order to be considered sound and therapeutic, the treatment must conform to current acceptable professional practice.
"Variance" means temporary or permanent waiver of compliance with a regulation or portion of a regulation, or permission to meet the intent of the regulation by a method other than that specified in the regulation, when the department, in its sole discretion, determines (i) enforcement will create an undue hardship and (ii) resident care will not be adversely affected.
"Volunteers" means any individual or group who of their own free will, and without any financial gain, provides goods and services to the program without compensation.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-20. Service description and applications; required elements.
A. In order to determine whether an applicant is subject to these regulations, the applicant must submit a service description initially.
B. Each provider shall have a written service description that accurately describes its structured program of care and treatment consistent with the treatment, habilitation, or training needs of the residential population it serves. Service description elements shall include:
1. The mental health, substance abuse, mental retardation, or brain injury population it intends to serve;
2. The mental health, substance abuse, mental retardation, or brain injury interventions it will provide;
3. Provider goals;
4. Services provided; and
5. Contract services, if any.
C. The provider shall develop, implement, review, and revise its services according to the provider's mission and shall have that information available for public review.
D. Initial applications.
1. A completed application includes, but is not limited to, an initial application form; proposed working budget for the year showing projected revenue and expenses for the first year of operation and a balance sheet showing assets and liabilities; evidence of financial resources or a line of credit sufficient to cover estimated operating expenses for 90 days unless the facility is operated by a state or local government agency, board, or commission; a service description; a proposed staffing/supervision plan including the staff information sheet; copies of all job descriptions; evidence of the applicant's authority to conduct business in Virginia; a copy of the floor plan with dimensions of rooms; a certificate of occupancy; current health inspection; evidence of consultation with state or local fire prevention authorities; a list of board members, if applicable; three references for the applicant; and, if required by the department, references for three officers of the board if applicable. This information shall be submitted to and approved by the department in order for the application to be considered complete.
2. All initial applications that are not complete within 12 months shall be closed.
3. Facilities operated by state or local government agencies, boards, and commissions shall submit evidence of sufficient funds to operate including a working budget showing appropriated revenue and projected expenses for the coming year.
4. Currently licensed providers shall demonstrate that they are operating in substantial compliance with applicable regulations before new facilities operated by the same provider will be licensed.
E. Renewal applications. A completed application for renewal of a facility's license shall be submitted within 30 days after being notified to submit a renewal application.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-30. The investigation.
The department shall arrange and conduct an on-site inspection of the facility and a thorough review of the services and an investigation of the character, reputation, status, and responsibility of the applicant.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-40. Review of facilities.
A. Representatives of the department shall make announced and unannounced reviews during the effective dates of the license. The purpose of these reviews is to monitor compliance with applicable regulations.
B. Representatives of the department shall notify relevant local governments and placing and funding agencies, including the Office of Comprehensive Services, of multiple health and safety or human rights violations in children's residential facilities when such violations result in the lowering of the license to provisional status.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-50. Posting of information.
A. Information concerning the application for initial licensure of children's residential facilities shall be posted to the department's website by locality.
B. An accurate listing of all licensed facilities including information on renewal, denial, or provisional licensure, and services shall be posted on the department's website by locality.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-60. General requirements.
A. The provider shall demonstrate substantial compliance with these regulations to demonstrate that its program and physical plant provide reasonably safe and adequate care while approved plans of action to correct findings of noncompliance are being implemented and there are no noncompliances that pose an immediate and direct danger to residents.
B. Corporations sponsoring residential facilities for children shall maintain their corporate status in accordance with Virginia law.
C. The provider shall comply with the terms of its license.
D. A license is not transferable and automatically expires when there is a change of ownership or sponsorship.
E. The current license shall be posted at all times in a place conspicuous to the public.
F. A license shall not be issued to a facility when noncompliance poses an immediate danger to a resident's life, health, or safety.
G. Intermediate sanctions authorized by statute may be imposed at the discretion of the department.
H. Each provider shall self-report to the department within 10 days lawsuits against or settlements with residential facility operators relating to the health and safety or human rights of residents and any criminal charges against staff that may have been made relating to the health and safety or human rights of residents.
I. The provider shall comply with all other applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations.
J. The provider's current policy and procedure manual shall be readily accessible to all staff.
K. Providers shall not engage in willful action or gross negligence that jeopardizes the care or protection of residents.
L. Providers shall not engage in conduct or practices that are in violation of statutes related to abuse or neglect of children.
M. Providers shall not deviate significantly from the program or services for which a license was issued without obtaining prior written approval from the department.
N. Providers shall not make false statements on the application for licensure or misrepresent facts in the application process.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-70. Resident's rights.
Each provider shall guarantee resident rights as outlined in § 37.2-400 of the Code of Virginia and in the Rules and Regulations to Assure the Rights of Individuals Receiving Services from Providers Licensed, Funded, or Operated by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (12VAC35-115).
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-80. Written corrective action plans.
A. If there is noncompliance with applicable regulations during an initial or ongoing review or investigation, the department shall issue a licensing report describing the noncompliance and requesting the provider to submit a corrective action plan.
B. The provider shall submit to the department and implement a written corrective action plan for each regulation for which the provider is found to be in noncompliance.
C. The corrective action plan shall include a:
1. Description of each corrective action to be taken to correct the noncompliance and to prevent reoccurrence in the future and the person responsible for implementation;
2. Date of completion for each action; and
3. Signature of the person responsible for oversight of the implementation of the pledged corrective action.
D. The provider shall submit the corrective action plan to the department within 15 business days of the issuance of the licensing report. Extensions may be granted by the department when requested prior to the due date, but extensions shall not exceed an additional 10 business days. An immediate corrective action plan shall be required if the department determines that the violations pose a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of residents.
E. A corrective action plan shall be approved by the department. The provider shall have an additional 10 business days to submit a revised corrective action plan after receiving a notice that the plan submitted has not been approved.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-90. Licenses.
A. A conditional license shall be issued to a new provider that demonstrates compliance with administrative and policy requirements but has not demonstrated compliance with all of these regulations. A conditional license shall not exceed six months, but may be renewed, not to exceed 12 successive months for all conditional licenses and renewals combined.
B. A provisional license may be issued to a provider that has demonstrated an inability to maintain compliance with these regulations or other applicable regulations, has violations of licensing regulations that pose a threat to the health or safety of residents being served, or has two or more systemic deficiencies.
1. A provisional license may be issued at any time.
2. The term of a provisional license may not exceed six months unless allowed by the Code of Virginia.
3. A provisional license may be renewed, but a provisional license and any renewals shall not exceed 12 successive months for all provisional licenses and renewals combined.
C. An annual license:
1. Shall be issued when the provider applies for renewal while holding a conditional or provisional license or certificate and substantially meets or exceeds the requirements of these regulations and other regulations and statutes.
2. May be issued at any time if the provider has received one systemic deficiency.
3. May be renewed, but an annual license or certificate and any renewals thereof shall not exceed a period of 36 successive months for all annual licenses and renewals combined.
D. A triennial license shall be issued when the provider:
1. Applies for renewal while holding an annual or triennial license; and
2. Substantially meets or exceeds the requirements of these regulations and other applicable regulations and statutes.
E. The term of a facility's license may be modified at any time during the licensure period based on a change in the facility's compliance with these regulations and other applicable statutes and regulations.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-100. Application fees.
A. There shall be a $500 nonrefundable initial application fee. If the application is closed, denied, or withdrawn all subsequent initial applications shall require another $500 fee.
B. There shall be a $100 nonrefundable renewal application fee.
C. A renewal fee shall not be charged to providers directly following the issuance of a conditional license.
D. The application fee shall not apply to state or local government-owned, operated, or contracted facilities.
E. Application fees shall be used for the development and delivery of training for providers and staff of children's residential facilities and regulators of these facilities.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-110. Modification.
A. The conditions of a license may be modified during the term of the license with respect to the capacity, residents' age range, facility location, residents' gender, or changes in the services. Limited modifications may be approved during the conditional licensure period.
B. The provider shall submit a written report of any contemplated changes in operation that would affect the terms of the license or the continuing eligibility for licensure to the department.
C. A change shall not be implemented prior to approval by the department. The provider shall be notified in writing within 60 days following receipt of the request as to whether the modification is approved or a new license is required.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-120. Denial.
A. An application for licensure may be denied when the applicant:
1. Violates any provision of applicable laws or regulations made pursuant to such laws;
2. Has a founded disposition of child abuse or neglect after the appeal process has been completed;
3. Has been convicted of a crime listed in § 37.2-416 or 63.2-1726 of the Code of Virginia;
4. Has made false statements on the application or misrepresentation of facts in the application process;
5. Has not demonstrated good character and reputation as determined through references, background investigations, driving records, and other application materials;
6. Has a history of adverse licensing actions or sanctions;
7. Permits, aids, or abets in the commission of an illegal act in services delivered by the provider; or
8. Engages in conduct or practices detrimental to the welfare of any individual receiving services from the provider.
B. If denial of a license is recommended, the facility shall be notified in writing of the deficiencies, the proposed action, the right to appeal, and the appeal process.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-130. Revocation.
A. A license may be revoked when the provider:
1. Violates any provision of applicable laws or regulations;
2. Engages in conduct or practices that are in violation of statutes related to abuse or neglect of children;
3. Deviates significantly from the program or services for which a license was issued without obtaining prior written approval from the department or fails to correct such deviations within the specified time;
4. Permits, aids, or abets the commission of an illegal act in services delivered by the provider; or
5. Engages in conduct or practices detrimental to the welfare of any individual receiving services.
B. If revocation of a license is recommended, the facility shall be notified in writing of the deficiencies, the proposed action, the right to appeal, and the appeal process.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-140. Summary suspension.
A. In conjunction with any proceeding for revocation, denial, or other action, when conditions or practices exist that pose an immediate and substantial threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents, the commissioner may issue an order of summary suspension of the license to operate a children's residential facility when he believes the operation of the facility should be suspended during the pendency of such proceeding.
B. Prior to the issuance of an order of summary suspension, the department shall contact the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia to obtain the name of a hearing officer. The department shall schedule the time, date, and location of the administrative hearing with the hearing officer.
C. The order of summary suspension shall take effect upon its issuance. It shall be delivered by personal service and certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address of record of the facility as soon as practicable. The order shall set forth:
1. The time, date, and location of the hearing;
2. The procedures for the hearing;
3. The hearing and appeal rights; and
4. Facts and evidence that formed the basis for the order of summary suspension.
D. The hearing shall take place within three business days of the issuance of the order of summary suspension.
E. The department shall have the burden of proving in any summary suspension hearing that it had reasonable grounds to require the facility to cease operations during the pendency of the concurrent revocation, denial, or other proceeding.
F. The administrative hearing officer shall provide written findings and conclusions, together with a recommendation as to whether the license should be summarily suspended, to the commissioner within five business days of the hearing.
G. The commissioner shall issue a final order of summary suspension or make a determination that the summary suspension is not warranted based on the facts presented and the recommendation of the hearing officer within seven business days of receiving the recommendation of the hearing officer.
H. The commissioner shall issue and serve on the children's residential facility or its designee by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, either:
1. A final order of summary suspension including (i) the basis for accepting or rejecting the hearing officer's recommendations and (ii) notice that the children's residential facility may appeal the commissioner's decision to the appropriate circuit court no later than 10 days following issuance of the order; or
2. Notification that the summary suspension is not warranted by the facts and circumstances presented and that the order of summary suspension is rescinded.
I. The facility may appeal the commissioner's decision on the summary suspension to the appropriate circuit court no more than 10 days after issuance of the final order.
J. The outcome of concurrent revocation, denial, and other proceedings shall not be affected by the outcome of any hearing pertaining to the appropriateness of the order of summary suspension.
K. At the time of the issuance of the order of summary suspension, the department shall contact the appropriate agencies to inform them of the action and the need to develop relocation plans for residents, and ensure that parents and guardians are informed of the pending action.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-150. Variances.
A. Any request for a variance shall be submitted in writing to the department and shall include:
1. Justification why enforcement of the regulation would create an undue hardship;
2. How the facility can comply with the intent of the regulation; and
3. Justification why resident care would not be adversely affected if the variance was granted.
B. A variance shall not be implemented prior to approval of the department.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-160. Investigation of complaints and allegations.
The department is responsible for complete and prompt investigation of all complaints and allegations made against providers, and for notification of the appropriate persons or agencies when removal of residents may be necessary. Suspected criminal violations shall be reported to the appropriate law-enforcement authority.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.