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          | Regulatory AlertA Convenient Guide to Regulatory 
              Activity in the CommonwealthNovember - December, 2008The Regulatory 
              Alert is intended to assist General Assembly members as they keep 
              up with the myriad regulations being proposed by agencies in the 
              Commonwealth. The goal of this project is to provide a timely, simple, 
              and accurate summary of the rules that are being proposed by agencies, 
              boards, and commissions. Highlighting regulations when they are 
              published as "proposed regulations" gives General Assembly 
              members notice that the critical public participation phase of the 
              rulemaking process is well underway. It is during the public participation 
              process that the questions of an Assembly member or constituent 
              may be most effectively communicated to the agency and examined 
              by the individuals crafting the regulatory proposal. The Regulatory 
              Alert is not intended to be a substitute for the comprehensive information 
              on agency rulemaking activity that is currently published biweekly 
              in the Virginia Register of Regulations or the notification 
              services offered by the Regulatory Town Hall website maintained 
              by the Department of Planning and Budget. It is hoped that the Legislative 
              Record will assist all members as they monitor the development, 
              modification and repeal of administrative rules in the Commonwealth. Access the 
              Virginia Register of Regulations online at http://legis.state.va.us/codecomm/register/issfiles.htm 
              or contact epalen@leg.state.va.us 
              or the Code Commission staff at (804) 786-3591 for further information. 
             |  TITLE 6. 
        CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONSFORENSIC 
        SCIENCE BOARD 6VAC40-60. 
        DNA Data Bank Regulations (adding 6VAC40-60-10 through 6VAC40-60-80). Written public comment 
        may be submitted until 5 p.m. on January 23, 2009.  
        Summary:  The proposed 
          regulations establish the procedures for law enforcement to obtain information 
          from the DNA data bank and further establish who at the Department of 
          Forensic Science has access to the DNA data bank. The regulations also 
          detail the level of access for each Department of Forensic Science employee. For further information, 
        please contact Michele M. Gowdy, Department Counsel, Department of Forensic 
        Science, Richmond, telephone (804) 786-6848, FAX (804) 786-6857, or email Michele.gowdy@dfs.virginia.gov.
 
 TITLE 
        12. HEALTHSTATE 
        BOARD OF HEALTH 12VAC5-391. 
        Regulations for the Licensure of Hospice (amending 12VAC5-391-10, 12VAC5-391-120, 
        12VAC5-391-150, 12VAC5-391-160, 12VAC5-391-180, 12VAC5-391-300, 12VAC5-391-440, 
        12VAC5-391-450, 12VAC5-391-460, 12VAC5-391-480, 12VAC5-391-500; adding 
        12VAC5-391-395, 12VAC5-391-445, 12VAC5-391-446, 12VAC5-391-485, 12VAC5-391-495, 
        12VAC5-391-510). Written public comment 
        may be submitted until 5 p.m. on January 23, 2009. 
        Summary:  Chapter 391 
          of the 2007 Acts of Assembly places oversight of hospice facilities 
          with the Department of Health and establishes that continuity of hospice 
          services provided in a patient's home also be provided in a dedicated 
          facility.  This change 
          in law necessitates amending the current regulation by expanding the 
          standards addressing patient care and safety in hospice facilities. 
          The proposed amendments also address omissions in the regulation when 
          it was revised in 2005. The proposed amendments (i) clarify definitions 
          pertaining to hospice facility and inpatient services; (ii) provide 
          clarification between a hospice facility and inpatient services in a 
          hospital or nursing facility; (iii) require notifying the Department 
          of Health of the relocation of a hospice facility; (iv) add provisions 
          for handling medical errors and drug reactions; (v) require compliance 
          with state and local codes, zoning and building ordinances and the Uniform 
          Statewide Building Code; (vi) prohibit a hospice facility from being 
          used for any purpose other than the provision of hospice services; (vii) 
          require that a set of as-built plans be retained; (viii) establish additional 
          physical plant requirements for operating a hospice facility; (ix) establish 
          necessary hospice facility financial controls and requirements for handling 
          patient funds; (x) require 24-hour nursing services including trained 
          and supervised staff to meet the total needs of the hospice patients; 
          (xi) allow facilities with six or fewer beds to have a single licensed 
          nurse as long as patient needs are met; (xii) provide for a 20-minute 
          response time if a registered nurse is not present at the facility; 
          and (xiii) make changes to provide consistency with other facility-type 
          regulations. For further information, 
        please contact Carrie Eddy, Department of Health, Richmond, telephone 
        (804) 367-5100, or email carrie.eddy@vdh.virginia.gov. Division 
      of Legislative Services > Legislative 
      Record > 2008
 
 
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