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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
10/12/2024

Part II. Administrative and Personnel

Article 1
General Provisions

6VAC35-101-110. Responsibilities of the governing authority.

A. The detention center's governing body or authority (governing authority) shall be clearly identified.

B. The governing authority shall appoint a facility administrator to whom it delegates the authority and responsibility for the on-site administrative direction of the detention center.

C. A written decision-making plan shall be developed and implemented and shall provide for a staff person with the qualifications of a facility administrator to be designated to assume the temporary responsibility for the operation of the detention center. Each plan shall include an organizational chart.

D. Written procedures shall be developed and implemented to monitor and evaluate service quality and effectiveness on a systematic and on-going basis. Improvements shall be implemented when indicated.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-120. Insurance.

A. Documentation of the following insurance coverage shall be maintained:

1. Liability insurance covering the premises and the detention center's operations, including all employees and volunteers, if applicable.

2. Insurance necessary to comply with Virginia's minimum insurance requirements for all vehicles used to transport residents, including vehicles owned by staff.

B. Staff who use personal vehicles for official business, including transporting residents, shall be informed of the requirements to provide and document insurance coverage for such purposes.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-130. Participation of residents in human research.

A. Written procedures approved by its governing authority shall govern the review, approval, and monitoring of human research. Human research means any systematic investigation, involving a resident or a resident's parents, guardians, or family members as the subject of the research, which may expose the subject to physical or psychological injury and which departs from the application of established and accepted therapeutic methods appropriate to meet the individual's needs. Human research does not include statistical analysis of information readily available on the subject that does not contain any identifying information or research exempted by federal research regulations pursuant to 45 CFR 46.101(b).

B. Information on residents shall be maintained as provided in 6VAC35-101-330 (maintenance of residents' records) and all records and information related to the human research shall be kept confidential in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

C. The procedures may require periodic progress reports of any research project and a formal final report of all completed research projects.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

Article 2
Hiring

6VAC35-101-140. Job descriptions.

A. There shall be a written job description for each position that, at a minimum, includes the:

1. Job title or position;

2. Duties and responsibilities of the incumbent;

3. Job title or identification of the immediate supervisor; and

4. Minimum education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required for entry-level performance of the job.

B. A copy of the job description shall be given to each person assigned to a position prior to assuming that position's duties.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-150. Qualifications.

A. Detention centers subject to (i) the rules and regulations of the governing authority or (ii) the rules and regulations of a local government personnel office shall develop written minimum entry-level qualifications in accordance with the rules and regulations of the supervising personnel authority. Detention centers not subject to rules and regulations of the governing authority or a local government personnel office shall follow the minimum entry-level qualifications of the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management.

B. When services or consultations are obtained on a contractual basis, they shall be provided by professionally qualified personnel.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-155. Employee tuberculosis screening and follow-up.

A. On or before the employee's start date at the facility and at least annually thereafter each employee shall submit the results of a tuberculosis screening assessment that is no older than 30 days. The documentation shall indicate the screening results as to whether there is an absence of tuberculosis in a communicable form.

B. Employees shall undergo a subsequent tuberculosis screening or evaluation, as applicable, in the following circumstances:

1. The employee comes into contact with a known case of infectious tuberculosis; and

2. The employee develops chronic respiratory symptoms of three weeks' duration.

C. Employees suspected of having tuberculosis in a communicable form shall not be permitted to return to work or have contact with staff or residents until a physician has determined that the individual does not have tuberculosis in a communicable form.

D. Any active case of tuberculosis developed by an employee or a resident shall be reported to the local health department in accordance with the requirements of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Health Regulations for Disease Reporting and Control (12VAC5-90).

E. Documentation of any screening results shall be retained in a manner that maintains the confidentiality of information.

F. The detection, diagnosis, prophylaxis, and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis shall be performed in accordance with any current recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Tuberculosis Prevention and Control and the federal Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-160. Physical examination.

When the qualifications for a position require a given set of physical abilities, all persons selected for such positions shall be examined by a physician at the time of employment to ensure that they have the level of medical health or physical ability required to perform assigned duties. Persons hired into positions that require a given set of physical abilities may be reexamined annually in accordance with written procedures.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-170. Employee and volunteer background checks.

A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, all persons who (i) accept a position of employment at, (ii) volunteer on a regular basis and will be alone with a resident in the performance of their duties, or (iii) provide contractual services directly to a resident on a regular basis and will be alone with a resident in the performance of that person's duties shall undergo the following background checks in accordance with § 63.2-1726 of the Code of Virginia to ascertain whether there are criminal acts or other circumstances that would be detrimental to the safety of residents:

1. A reference check;

2. A criminal history record check;

3. Fingerprint checks with the Virginia State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI);

4. A central registry check with Child Protective Services; and

5. A driving record check if applicable to the individual's job duties.

B. To minimize vacancy time, when the fingerprint checks required by subdivision A 3 of this section have been requested, employees may be hired, pending the results of the fingerprint checks, provided:

1. All of the other applicable components of subsection A of this section have been completed;

2. The applicant is given written notice that continued employment is contingent on the fingerprint check results required by subdivision A 3 of this section; and

3. Employees hired under this exception shall not be allowed to be alone with residents and may work with residents only when under the direct supervision of staff whose background checks have been completed until such time as all the requirements of this section are completed.

C. Documentation of compliance with this section shall be retained in the individual's personnel record as provided in 6VAC35-101-310 (personnel records).

D. Written procedures shall provide for the supervision of nonemployee persons, who are not subject to the provisions of subsection A of this section who have contact with residents.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

Article 3
Employee Orientation and Training

6VAC35-101-180. Required initial orientation.

A. Initial orientation shall be provided to all full-time and part-time staff, relief staff, and contractors who provide services to residents on a regular basis, in accordance with each position's job description.

B. Before the expiration of the individual's seventh work day at the facility, each employee shall be provided with a basic orientation on the following:

1. The facility;

2. The population served;

3. The basic objectives of the program;

4. The facility's organizational structure;

5. Security, population control, emergency preparedness, and evacuation procedures as provided for in 6VAC35-101-510 (emergency and evacuation procedures);

6. The practices of confidentiality;

7. The residents' rights;

8. The basic requirements of and competencies necessary to perform in his positions;

9. The facility's program philosophy and services;

10. The facility's behavior management program as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1070 (behavior management);

11. The facility's behavior intervention procedures and techniques, including the use of least restrictive interventions and physical restraint;

12. The residents' rules of conduct and responsibilities;

13. The residents' disciplinary process as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1080 (disciplinary process);

14. The residents' grievance procedures as provided for in 6VAC35-101-100 (grievance procedure);

15. Child abuse and neglect and mandatory reporting as provided for in 6VAC35-101-80 (serious incident reports) and 6VAC35-101-90 (suspected child abuse or neglect);

16. Standard precautions as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1010 (infectious or communicable diseases); and

17. Documentation requirements as applicable to the position's duties.

C. Volunteers shall be oriented in accordance with 6VAC35-101-300 (volunteer and intern orientation and training).

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-190. Required initial training.

A. Each full-time and part-time employee and relief staff shall complete initial, comprehensive training that is specific to the individual's occupational class, is based on the needs of the population served, and ensures that the individual has the competencies to perform the position's duties.

1. Direct care staff shall receive at least 40 hours of training, inclusive of all training required by this section, in their first year of employment.

2. Contractors shall receive training required to perform their position responsibilities in a detention center.

B. Within 30 days following the employee's start date at the facility or before the employee is responsible for the direct supervision of a resident, all direct care staff and staff who provide direct supervision of the residents shall complete training in the following areas:

1. Emergency preparedness and response as provided for in 6VAC35-101-510 (emergency and evacuation procedures);

2. The facility's behavior management program as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1070 (behavior management);

3. The residents' rules of conduct and the rationale for the rules;

4. The facility's behavior intervention procedures, with physical and mechanical restraint training required as applicable to their duties and as required by subsection D of this section;

5. Child abuse and neglect and mandatory reporting as provided for in 6VAC35-101-80 (serious incident reports) and 6VAC35-101-90 (suspected child abuse or neglect);

6. Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and relationships;

7. Interaction among staff and residents;

8. Suicide prevention as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1020 (suicide prevention);

9. Residents' rights, including but not limited to prohibited actions provided for in 6VAC35-101-650 (prohibited actions);

10. Standard precautions as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1010 (infectious or communicable diseases); and

11. Procedures applicable to the employees' position and consistent with their work profiles.

C. Employees who are authorized by the facility administrator to restrain a resident, as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1090 (physical restraint) and 6VAC35-101-1130 (mechanical restraints), shall be trained in the facility's approved restraint techniques within 90 days of such authorization and prior to applying any restraint techniques.

D. Employees who administer medication shall, prior to such administration, as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1060 (medication), and in accordance with the provisions of § 54.1-3408 of the Code of Virginia, either (i) have successfully completed a medication training program approved by the Board of Nursing or (ii) be licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to administer medication.

E. When an individual is employed by contract to provide services for which licensure by a professional organization is required, documentation of current licensure shall constitute compliance with this section.

F. Volunteers and interns shall be trained in accordance with 6VAC35-101-300 (volunteer and intern orientation and training).

G. Employees who perform the duties required in 6VAC35-101-800 (admission and orientation) shall be trained in the requirements contained therein.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-200. Retraining.

A. Each full-time and part-time employee and relief staff shall complete retraining that is specific to the individual's occupational class, the position's job description, and addresses any professional development needs.

B. All full-time and part-time employees and relief staff shall complete an annual training refresher on the facility's emergency preparedness and response plan and procedures as provided for in 6VAC35-101-480 (emergency and evacuation procedures).

C. All direct care staff shall receive at least 40 hours of training annually that shall include training on the following:

1. Suicide prevention as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1020 (suicide prevention);

2. Standard precautions as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1010 (infectious or communicable diseases);

3. Maintaining appropriate professional relationships;

4. Interaction among staff and residents;

5. Residents' rights, including but not limited to the prohibited actions provided for in 6VAC35-101-650 (prohibited actions);

6. Child abuse and neglect and mandatory reporting as provided for in 6VAC35-101-80 (serious incident reports) and 6VAC35-101-90 (suspected child abuse or neglect); and

7. Behavior intervention procedures.

D. All staff approved to apply physical restraints, as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1090 (physical restraint) shall be trained as needed to maintain the applicable current certification.

E. All staff approved to apply mechanical restraints shall be retrained annually as required by 6VAC35-101-1130 (mechanical restraints).

F. Employees who administer medication, as provided for in 6VAC35-101-1060 (medication), shall complete an annual refresher training.

G. When an individual is employed by contract to provide services for which licensure by a professional organization is required, documentation of current licensure shall constitute compliance with this section.

H. Staff who have not timely completed required retraining shall not be allowed to have direct care responsibilities pending completion of the retraining requirements.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

Article 4
Personnel

6VAC35-101-210. Written personnel procedures.

Written personnel procedures approved by the governing authority or facility administrator shall be developed, implemented, and readily accessible to each staff member.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-220. Code of ethics.

A written code of ethics shall be available to all employees.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-230. [Reserved].

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-240. Notification of change in driver's license status.

Staff whose job responsibilities may involve transporting residents shall be required to (i) maintain a valid driver's license and (ii) report to the facility administrator or designee any change in their driver's license status including but not limited to suspensions, restrictions, and revocations.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-250. Political activity.

Written procedures governing any campaigning, lobbying, and political activities by employees that are consistent with applicable statutes and state or local policies shall be developed and implemented. The procedure shall be made available to all employees.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-260. Physical or mental health of personnel.

When an individual poses a direct threat to the health and safety of a resident, others at the facility, or the public or is unable to perform essential job-related functions, that individual shall be removed immediately from all duties involved in the direct care or direct supervision of residents. The facility may require a medical or mental health evaluation to determine the individual's fitness for duty prior to returning to duties involving the direct care or direct supervision of residents. The results of any medical information or documentation of any disability-related inquiries shall be maintained separately from the employee's personnel records maintained in accordance with 6VAC35-101-310 (personnel records). For the purpose of this section a direct threat means a significant risk of substantial harm.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

Article 5
Volunteers

6VAC35-101-270. Definition of volunteers or interns.

For the purpose of this chapter, volunteer or intern means any individual or group who of their own free will provides goods and services without competitive compensation.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-280. Selection and duties of volunteers and interns.

A. Any detention center that uses volunteers or interns shall develop and implement written procedures governing their selection and use. Such procedures shall provide for the objective evaluation of persons and organizations in the community who wish to associate with the residents.

B. Volunteers and interns shall have qualifications appropriate for the services provided.

C. The responsibilities of interns and individuals who volunteer on a regular basis shall be clearly defined in writing.

D. Volunteers and interns shall neither be responsible for the duties of direct care staff nor for the direct supervision of the residents.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-290. Background checks for volunteers and interns.

A. Any individual who (i) volunteers on a regular basis or is an intern and (ii) will be alone with a resident in the performance of that person's duties shall be subject to the background check requirements in 6VAC35-101-170 A (employee and volunteer background checks).

B. Documentation of compliance with the background check requirements shall be maintained for each intern and volunteer for whom a background check is required. Such records shall be kept in accordance with 6VAC35-101-310 (personnel records).

C. A detention center that uses volunteers or interns shall have procedures for supervising volunteers or interns, on whom background checks are not required or whose background checks have not been completed, who have contact with residents.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-300. Volunteer and intern orientation and training.

A. Volunteers and interns shall be provided with a basic orientation on the following:

1. The facility;

2. The population served;

3. The basic objectives of the facility;

4. The facility's organizational structure;

5. Security, population control, emergency, emergency preparedness, and evacuation procedures;

6. The practices of confidentiality;

7. The residents' rights, including but not limited to the prohibited actions provided for in 6VAC35-101-650 (prohibited actions); and

8. The basic requirements of and competencies necessary to perform their duties and responsibilities.

B. Volunteers and interns shall be trained within 30 days from their start date at the facility in the following:

1. Any procedures that are applicable to their duties and responsibilities; and

2. Their duties and responsibilities in the event of a facility evacuation as provided for in 6VAC35-101-510 (emergency and evacuation procedures).

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

Article 6
Records

6VAC35-101-310. Personnel records.

A. Separate up-to-date written or automated personnel records shall be maintained on each (i) employee and (ii) volunteer or intern on whom a background check is required.

B. The records of each employee shall include:

1. A completed employment application form or other written material providing the individual's name, address, phone number, and social security number or other unique identifier;

2. Educational background and employment history;

3. Documentation of required reference check;

4. Annual performance evaluations;

5. Date of employment for each position held and separation date;

6. Documentation of compliance with requirements of Virginia law regarding child protective services and criminal history background investigations;

7. Documentation of the verification of any educational requirements and of professional certification or licensure, if required by the position;

8. Documentation of all training required by this chapter and any other training received by individual staff; and

9. A current job description.

C. If applicable, health records, including reports of any required health examinations, shall be maintained separately from the other records required by this section.

D. Personnel records on contract service providers and volunteers and interns may be limited to the verification of the completion of any required background checks as required by 6VAC35-101-170 (employee and volunteer background checks).

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-320. [Reserved].

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-330. Maintenance of residents' records.

A. A separate written or automated case record shall be maintained for each resident that shall include all correspondence and documents received by the detention center relating to the care of that resident and documentation of all case management services provided.

B. A separate health record shall be kept on each resident. The resident's active health records shall be kept in accordance with 6VAC35-101-1030 (residents' health care records), this section, and applicable laws and regulations.

C. Each case record and health record shall be kept (i) up to date, (ii) in a uniform manner, and (iii) confidential from unauthorized access. Case records shall be released in accordance with §§ 16.1-300 and 16.1-309.1 of the Code of Virginia and applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

D. Written procedures shall provide for the management of all records, written and automated, and shall describe confidentiality, accessibility, security, and retention of records pertaining to residents, including:

1. Access, duplication, dissemination, and acquisition of information only to persons legally authorized according to federal and state laws;

2. If automated records are utilized, the procedures shall address:

a. How records are protected from unauthorized access;

b. How records are protected from unauthorized Internet access;

c. How records are protected from loss;

d. How records are protected from unauthorized alteration; and

e. How records are backed up.

3. Security measures to protect records from (i) loss, unauthorized alteration, inadvertent or unauthorized access, or disclosure of information; and (ii) during transportation of records between service sites;

4. Designation of person responsible for records management; and

5. Disposition of records in the event the detention center ceases to operate.

E. The procedure shall specify what information is available to the resident.

F. Active and closed written records shall be kept in secure locations or compartments that are accessible to authorized staff and shall be protected from unauthorized access, fire, and flood.

G. All case records shall be retained as governed by The Library of Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-340. Face sheet.

A. At the time of admission each resident's record shall include, at a minimum, a completed face sheet that contains the following:

1. The resident's full name, last known residence, birth date, birthplace, sex, race, unique numerical identifier, religious preference, and admission date; and

2. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the applicable court service unit, emergency contacts, and parents or legal guardians, as appropriate and applicable.

B. Information shall be updated when changes occur.

C. Upon discharge, the (i) date of discharge and (ii) name of the person to whom the resident was discharged, if applicable, shall be added to the face sheet.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

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