Virginia Law

Part VIII. Sanctions

22VAC40-80-330. Violation of standards or statutes.

A. The Commissioner of the Department of Social Services may impose such sanctions or take such actions as are appropriate for violation of any of the standards or statutes or for abuse or neglect of persons in care.

B. The following reasons may be considered by the department for the imposition of administrative sanctions:

1. Failure to demonstrate or maintain compliance with applicable standards or for violations of the provisions of the Code of Virginia;

2. Permitting, aiding or abetting the commission of any illegal act in the licensed facility or agency;

3. Engaging in conduct or practices that are in violation of statutes and standards relating to abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children or adults; or

4. Deviating significantly from the program or services for which a license was issued without obtaining prior written approval from the department, or failure to correct such deviations within a specified time.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1733 and 63.2-1734 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR615-30-01 § 8.1, eff. July 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 3, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 20, Issue 24, eff. November 1, 2004.

22VAC40-80-340. Administrative sanctions.

The commissioner may impose administrative sanctions or initiate court proceedings, severally or jointly, when appropriate in order to ensure prompt correction of violations involving noncompliance with state law or regulation in assisted living facilities, adult day centers, and child welfare agencies as discovered through any inspection or investigation conducted by the Department of Social Services, the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, or by state and local building or fire prevention officials. These administrative sanctions include:

1. Petitioning the court to appoint a receiver for any assisted living facility or adult day center;

2. Revoking or denying renewal of a license for any assisted living facility or adult day center that fails to comply with the limitations and standards set forth in its license for a violation that adversely affects, or is an immediate and substantial threat to, the health, safety, or welfare of residents, or for permitting, aiding, or abetting the commission of any illegal act in an adult care facility;

3. Revoking or denying renewal of a license for any child welfare agency that fails to comply with the limitations and standards set forth in its license;

4. Requiring an assisted living facility to contract with an individual licensed by the Board of Long-Term Care Administrators to administer, manage, or operate the facility on an interim basis if the commissioner receives information from any source indicating immediate and substantial risk of harm to residents. This action shall be an attempt to bring the facility into compliance with all relevant requirements of law, regulation, or any plan of correction approved by the commissioner. The contract shall be negotiated in accordance with the provisions of § 63.2-1709 of the Code of Virginia;

5. Issuing a notice of summary suspension of the license to operate an assisted living facility pursuant to proceedings set forth in § 63.2-1709 C of the Code of Virginia or pursuant to proceedings set forth in § 63.2-1710.1 of the Code of Virginia for assisted living facilities operated by agencies of the Commonwealth in conjunction with any proceedings 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 residents;

6. Issuing a notice of summary suspension of the license to operate a child welfare agency pursuant to proceedings set forth in § 63.2-1709.1 C of the Code of Virginia or pursuant to proceedings set forth in § 63.2-1710.1 for child welfare agencies operated by an agency of the Commonwealth in conjunction with any proceedings for revocation, denial, or other action, when conditions or practices exist in the child welfare agency that pose an immediate and substantial threat to the health, safety, and welfare of children receiving care; and

7. Imposing administrative sanctions through the issuance of a special order as provided in § 63.2-1709.2 of the Code of Virginia. These include:

a. Placing a licensee on probation upon finding that the licensee is substantially out of compliance with the terms of the license and that the health and safety of residents, participants, or children are at risk;

b. Reducing the licensed capacity or prohibiting new admissions when the commissioner has determined that the licensee cannot make necessary corrections to achieve compliance with the regulations except by a temporary restriction of its scope of service;

c. Mandating training for the licensee or licensee's employees, with any costs to be borne by the licensee, when the commissioner has determined that the lack of such training has led directly to violations of regulations;

d. Assessing civil penalties of not more than $500 per inspection upon finding that the licensee of an adult day center or child welfare agency is substantially out of compliance with the terms of its license and the health and safety of residents, participants, or children are at risk;

e. Assessing a civil penalty for each day an assisted living facility is or was out of compliance with the terms of its license and the health, safety, and welfare of residents are at risk. The aggregate amount of such civil penalties shall not exceed $10,000 in any 12-month period. Criteria for imposition of civil penalties and amounts, expressed in ranges, are developed by the board and are based upon the severity, pervasiveness, duration, and degree of risk to the health, safety, or welfare of residents. Such civil penalties shall be applied by the commissioner in a consistent manner;

f. Requiring licensees to contact parents, guardians, or other responsible persons in writing regarding health and safety violations; and

g. Preventing licensees who are substantially out of compliance with the licensure terms or in violation of the regulations from receiving public funds.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1733, and 63.2-1734 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR615-30-01 § 8.2, eff. July 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 3, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 20, Issue 24, eff. November 1, 2004; Volume 23, Issue 6, eff. December 28, 2006; Volume 34, Issue 2, eff. October 19, 2017; Volume 36, Issue 2, eff. October 17, 2019; Volume 40, Issue 24, eff. August 14, 2024.

22VAC40-80-345. Summary suspension procedures.

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 a notice of summary suspension of the license to operate an assisted living facility or a child welfare agency or of certain authority of the licensee to provide certain services or perform certain functions.

B. The hearing coordinator will select a hearing officer from a list prepared by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia and will schedule the time, date, and location of the hearing to determine whether the suspension is appropriate as required by § 63.2-1709 C or 63.2-1709.1 C of the Code of Virginia.

C. Simultaneously with the issuance of a notice of revocation, denial or other action, the commissioner will issue to the licensee a notice of summary suspension setting forth the following:

1. The procedures for the summary suspension;

2. The hearing and appeal rights as set forth in this subsection;

3. Facts and evidence that formed the basis for which the summary order of suspension is sought; and

4. The time, date, and location of the hearing.

D. Notice of the summary suspension shall be served on the licensee or his designee by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address of record of the licensee as soon as practicable after issuance thereof.

E. The hearing shall take place in the locality where the assisted living facility or child welfare agency operates unless the licensee or his designee expressly waives this venue provision.

1. The hearing shall be held no later than 15 business days after service of notice on the licensee. The hearing officer may grant a continuance upon written request and for good cause shown. In no event shall any continuance exceed 10 business days after the initial hearing date.

2. The hearing coordinator will forward a copy of the relevant licensing standards to the hearing officer.

3. The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in 22VAC40-80-480, 22VAC40-80-490, and 22VAC40-80-500.

4. The department may be represented either by counsel or by agency staff authorized by § 2.2-509 of the Code of Virginia.

F. Within 10 days of the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall provide to the commissioner written findings and conclusions, together with a recommendation as to whether the license should be summarily suspended. The department shall have the burden of proof in any summary suspension hearing. The decision of the hearing officer shall be based on the preponderance of the evidence presented by the record and relevant to the basic law under which the agency is operating.

G. Within 10 business days of receipt of the hearing officer's findings, conclusions, and recommendation, the commissioner may issue a final order of summary suspension or an order that such summary suspension is not warranted by the facts and circumstances presented.

H. In issuing a final order of summary suspension, the commissioner may:

1. Suspend the license of the assisted living facility or child welfare agency; or

2. Suspend only certain authority of the assisted living facility or child welfare agency to provide certain services or perform certain functions that the commissioner determines should be restricted or modified in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the individuals receiving care.

I. The commissioner shall adopt the hearing officer's recommended decision unless to do so would be an error of law or department policy.

J. In the event the commissioner rejects a hearing officer's findings, conclusions, or recommended decision, the commissioner shall state with particularity the basis for rejection.

K. A copy of any final order of summary suspension shall be prominently displayed at each public entrance of the facility as required in 22VAC40-80-120.

L. The signed, original case decision shall remain in the custody of the agency as a public record, subject to the agency's records retention policy.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1733, and 63.2-1734 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 6, eff. December 28, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 2, eff. October 17, 2019.

22VAC40-80-350. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR615-30-01 §§ 8.3, 8.4, eff. July 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 3, eff. January 1, 1995; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 24, eff. November 1, 2004.

22VAC40-80-370. Appeal process.

A. The applicant or licensee will receive a notice of the department's intent to impose an administrative sanction. This notice will describe the sanctions and the reasons for the imposition. Service of the notice of adverse action is achieved by certified mailing of the notice to the applicant or licensee, unless service is made by other means and acknowledged by the applicant or licensee. If the applicant or licensee wishes to appeal the notice of adverse action, he shall have 15 days after receipt of the notice to note his appeal.

B. Upon receipt of the notice to impose an administrative sanction, the applicant or licensee has the right to appeal the decision in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). The procedures for filing an appeal will be outlined in the notice. The applicant or licensee shall submit any appeal of imposition of an administrative sanction in writing within 15 days of receipt of the notice.

C. If the applicant or licensee fails to appeal the notice of adverse action within 15 days of receipt of the notice, the final order will be entered. The decision will take effect 30 days after receipt of the notice.

D. The appeal process available is governed by law. Where the sanction is imposed by means of a special order as provided in § 63.2-1709.2 of the Code of Virginia, the case decision is issued by the commissioner following findings and conclusions resulting from the informal conference. Other sanctions include a provision for an administrative hearing, which is described in § 2.2-4020 of the Code of Virginia, prior to the issuance of the case decision. For ease of reference, the process steps are displayed in the following chart:

E. A final order of summary suspension for an assisted living facility or child welfare agency not operated by an agency of the Commonwealth shall include notice that the licensee may appeal the commissioner's decision to the appropriate circuit court no later than 10 days following service of the order.

1. The sole issue before the court shall be whether the commissioner had reasonable grounds to require the licensee to cease operations during the pendency of the concurrent revocation, denial, or other proceedings.

2. The concurrent revocation, denial, or other proceedings shall not be affected by the outcome of any hearing on the appropriateness of the summary suspension.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1733, and 63.2-1734 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR615-30-01 § 8.5, eff. July 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 3, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 20, Issue 24, eff. November 1, 2004; Volume 23, Issue 6, eff. December 28, 2006; Volume 36, Issue 2, eff. October 17, 2019.

22VAC40-80-375. Failure to pay civil penalty.

22VAC40-80-375. Failure to pay civil penalty.

A. If an outstanding civil penalty assessed after a case decision is not paid as required, the commissioner shall have the authority to:

1. Assess a late fee if the civil penalty payment is 60 days overdue, provided the total of the civil penalty and late fee do not exceed the penalty set forth in § 63.2-1709.2 of the Code of Virginia;

2. Reduce the duration of the licensure period if the civil penalty payment is 60 days overdue; and

3. Deny renewal or revoke the license if the civil penalty payment is 90 days overdue.

B. The department will also institute legal collection procedures to collect unpaid penalties.

C. If a licensee appeals the imposition of a civil penalty, the provisions of this section shall not apply until the appeal is complete.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1733, and 63.2-1734 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 24, eff. November 1, 2004; amended, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 2, eff. October 17, 2019.

22VAC40-80-380. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR615-30-01 § 8.6, eff. July 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 3, eff. January 1, 1995; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 24, eff. November 1, 2004.