Article 3. Exceptions, Variances, and Exemptions
12VAC5-31-40. Exceptions.
Article 3
Exceptions, Variances, and Exemptions
Exceptions to any provision of these regulations are specified as part of the regulation concerned. Any deviation not specified in these regulations is not allowed except by variance or exemption.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3 and Volume 19, Issue 9, eff. January 15, 2003.
12VAC5-31-50. Variances.
A. The commissioner is authorized to grant variances for any part or all of these regulations in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. A variance permits temporary specified exceptions to these regulations. An applicant, licensee, or permit or certificate holder may file a written request for a variance with the Office of EMS on specified forms. If the applicant, licensee, or permit or certificate holder is an EMS agency, the following additional requirements apply:
1. The written variance request shall be submitted for review and recommendations to the governing body or chief administrative officer of the jurisdiction in which the principal office of the EMS agency is located prior to submission to the Office of EMS.
2. An EMS agency operating in multiple jurisdictions will be required to notify all other jurisdictions in writing of conditions of approved variance requests.
3. Issuance of a variance does not obligate other jurisdictions to allow the conditions of such variance if they conflict with local ordinances or regulations.
4. Both the written request and the recommendation of the governing body or chief administrative officer shall be submitted together to the Office of EMS.
B. If the applicant for a variance is an affiliated provider who is certified or a candidate for certification, the following requirements shall apply:
1. The written variance request shall be submitted for review and recommendations to the operational medical director and the head of the agency with which the provider is affiliated.
2. Both the written request and the recommendation of the operational medical director and the agency head shall be submitted to the Office of EMS.
C. Those providers who are not affiliated with an EMS agency shall submit their variance request to the commissioner for consideration. The commissioner may request additional case-specific endorsements or supporting documentation as part of the application.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 6, eff. December 13, 2006; Volume 28, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2011; Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-60. Issuance of a variance.
A request for a variance may be approved and issued by the commissioner provided all of the following conditions are met:
1. The information contained in the request is complete and correct;
2. The agency, service, vehicle or person concerned is licensed, permitted or certified by the Office of EMS;
3. The commissioner determines the need for such a variance is genuine, and extenuating circumstances exist;
4. The commissioner determines that issuance of such a variance would be in the public interest and would not present any risk to, or threaten or endanger the public health, safety or welfare;
5. If the request is made by an EMS agency, the commissioner will consider the recommendation of the governing body or chief administrative officer provided all of the above conditions are met;
6. If the request is made by an affiliated provider who is certified or a candidate for certification, the Office of EMS will consider the recommendation of the operational medical director and the agency head for which the provider is affiliated; and
7. The person making the request will be notified in writing of the approval and issuance within 30 days of receipt of the request unless the request is awaiting approval or disapproval of a license or certificate. In such case, notice will be given within 30 days of the issuance of the license or certificate.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 6, eff. December 13, 2006; Volume 28, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2011; Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-70. Content of variance.
A variance shall include but not be limited to the following information:
1. The name of the agency, service or vehicle to which, or the person to whom, the variance applies;
2. The expiration date of the variance;
3. The provision of the regulations that is to be varied and the type of variations authorized; and
4. Any special conditions that may apply.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3 and Volume 19, Issue 9, eff. January 15, 2003.
12VAC5-31-80. Conditions of variance.
A variance shall be issued and remain valid with the following conditions:
1. A variance will be valid for a period not to exceed one year unless and until terminated by the commissioner; and
2. A variance is neither transferable nor renewable under any circumstances.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-90. Termination of variance.
A. The commissioner may terminate a variance at any time based upon any of the following:
1. Violations of any of the conditions of the variance;
2. Falsification of any information;
3. Suspension or revocation of the license, permit or certificate affected; or
4. A determination by the Office of EMS to the commissioner that continuation of the variance would present a risk to or threaten or endanger the public health, safety or welfare.
B. The commissioner will notify the license, permit or certificate holder of the termination by certified mail to his last known address.
C. Termination of a variance will take effect immediately upon receipt of notification unless otherwise specified.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-100. Denial of a variance.
A request for a variance will be denied by the commissioner if any of the conditions of 12VAC5-31-60 fail to be met.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-110. Exemptions.
A. The board is authorized to grant exemptions from any part or all of these regulations in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. An exemption permits specified or total exceptions to these regulations for an indefinite period.
B. Request. A person may file a written request for an exemption with the Office of EMS on specified forms. If the request is made by an EMS agency, the following additional requirements apply:
1. The written request for exemption must be submitted for review and recommendation to the governing body of the jurisdiction or chief administrative officer in which the principal office of the EMS agency is located before submission to the Office of EMS.
2. The written request must be submitted to the Office of EMS a minimum of 30 days before the scheduled review by the governing body or chief administrative officer. At the time of submission, the agency or service must provide the Office of EMS with the date, time and location of the scheduled review by the governing body or chief administrative officer.
3. Issuance of an exemption does not obligate other jurisdictions to allow the conditions of such exemption if they conflict with local ordinances or regulations.
4. Both the written request and the recommendation of the governing body or chief administrative officer shall be submitted together to the Office of EMS.
C. If the applicant for an exemption is an affiliated provider who is certified or a candidate for certification, the following requirements shall apply:
1. The written exemption request shall be submitted for review and recommendations to the operational medical director and the head of the agency with which the provider is affiliated.
2. Both the written request and the recommendation of the operational medical director and the agency head shall be submitted to the Office of EMS.
D. Those providers who are not affiliated with an EMS agency shall submit their exemption request to the commissioner for consideration. The commissioner may request additional case-specific endorsements or supporting documentation as part of the application.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3 and Volume 19, Issue 9, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 6, eff. December 13, 2006; Volume 28, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2011.
12VAC5-31-120. Public notice of request for exemption.
Upon receipt of a request for an exemption, the Office of EMS will cause notice of such request to be posted on the Office of EMS section of the Virginia Department of Health's website.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-130. Public hearing for exemption request.
If the board determines that there is substantial public interest in a request for an exemption, a public hearing may be held.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3 and Volume 19, Issue 9, eff. January 15, 2003.
12VAC5-31-140. Issuance of an exemption.
A. A request for an exemption may be approved and an exemption issued provided all of the following conditions are met:
1. The information contained in the request is complete and correct.
2. The need for such an exemption is determined to be genuine.
3. The issuance of an exemption would not present any risk to, threaten or endanger the public health, safety or welfare of citizens.
B. If the request is made by an EMS agency, the board may accept the recommendation of the governing body or chief administrative officer provided all of the conditions in subsection A of this section are met.
C. If the request is made by an affiliated provider who is certified or a candidate for certification, the board will consider the recommendation of the operational medical director and the agency head with which the provider is affiliated.
D. The person making the request will be notified in writing of the approval or denial of a request.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3 and Volume 19, Issue 9, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 6, eff. December 13, 2006; Volume 28, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2011.
12VAC5-31-150. Content of exemption.
An exemption includes but is not limited to the following information:
1. The name of the agency, service or vehicle to which, or the person to whom, the exemption applies;
2. The provisions of the regulations that will be exempted; and
3. Any special conditions that may apply.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3 and Volume 19, Issue 9, eff. January 15, 2003.
12VAC5-31-160. Conditions of exemption.
A. An exemption remains valid for an indefinite period of time unless and until terminated by the commissioner, or unless an expiration date is specified.
B. An exemption is neither transferable nor renewable.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-170. Termination of exemption.
A. The commissioner may terminate an exemption at any time based upon any of the following:
1. Violation of any of the conditions of the exemption;
2. Suspension or revocation of any licenses, permits or certificates involved; or
3. A determination by the commissioner that continuation of the exemption would present risk to, or threaten or endanger the public health, safety or welfare.
B. The commissioner will notify the person to whom the exemption was issued of the termination by certified mail to his last known address.
C. Termination of an exemption takes effect immediately upon receipt of notification unless otherwise specified.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-180. Denial of an exemption.
A request for an exemption will be denied by the commissioner if any of the conditions of these regulations fail to be met.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-190. General exemptions from these regulations.
The following are exempted from these regulations except as noted:
1. A person or privately owned vehicle not engaged in the business, service, or regular activity of providing medical care or transportation of persons who are sick, injured, wounded, or otherwise disabled;
2. A person or vehicle assisting with the rendering of emergency medical services or medical transportation in the case of a major medical emergency as reasonably necessary when the EMS agencies, vehicles, and personnel based in or near the location of such major emergency are insufficient to render the services required;
3. An EMS agency operated by the United States government within this state. Any person holding a United States government contract is not exempt from these regulations unless the person only provides services within an area of exclusive federal jurisdiction;
4. A medical care facility, but only with respect to the provision of emergency medical services within such facility;
5. Personnel employed by or associated with a medical care facility that provides emergency medical services within that medical care facility, but only with respect to the services provided therein;
6. An EMS agency based in a state bordering Virginia when requested to respond into Virginia for the purpose of providing mutual aid in the primary service area of a designated emergency response agency with the following conditions:
a. This agency must comply with the terms of a written mutual aid agreement with the EMS agency; and
b. This agency must comply with applicable EMS regulations of its home state.
7. An EMS agency that operates in Virginia for the exclusive purpose of interstate travel.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3 and Volume 19, Issue 9, eff. January 15, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 6, eff. December 13, 2006.