Division of Legislative Services > Legislative Record > 2009

Regulatory Alert

A Convenient Guide to Regulatory Activity in the Commonwealth

June, 2009

The 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 or contact epalen@dls.virginia.gov or the Code Commission staff at (804) 786-3591 for further information.

TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

VIRGINIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD

4VAC50-60. Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Permit Regulations (amending 4VAC50-60-10, 4VAC50-60-20, 4VAC50-60-30, 4VAC50-60-40; adding 4VAC50-60-53, 4VAC50-60-56, 4VAC50-60-63, 4VAC50-60-65, 4VAC50-60-66, 4VAC50-60-72, 4VAC50-60-74, 4VAC50-60-76, 4VAC50-60-85, 4VAC50-60-93, 4VAC50-60-96, 4VAC50-60-102, 4VAC50-60-104, 4VAC50-60-106, 4VAC50-60-108, 4VAC50-60-112, 4VAC50-60-114, 4VAC50-60-116, 4VAC50-60-118, 4VAC50-60-122, 4VAC50-60-124, 4VAC50-60-126, 4VAC50-60-128, 4VAC50-60-132, 4VAC50-60-134, 4VAC50-60-136, 4VAC50-60-138, 4VAC50-60-142, 4VAC50-60-154, 4VAC50-60-156, 4VAC50-60-157, 4VAC50-60-158, 4VAC50-60-159; repealing 4VAC50-60-50, 4VAC50-60-60, 4VAC50-60-70, 4VAC50-60-80, 4VAC50-60-90, 4VAC50-60-100, 4VAC50-60-110, 4VAC50-60-120, 4VAC50-60-130, 4VAC50-60-140, 4VAC50-60-150).

Public Hearing Information:

June 30, 2009 - 7 p.m. - Hungry Mother State Park, Hemlock Haven Conference Center, 380 Hemlock Haven Lane, Marion, VA

July 1, 2009 - 7 p.m. - Augusta County Government Center, Board of Supervisors Meeting Room, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA

July 7, 2009 - 7 p.m. - City of Manassas, City Council Chambers, 9027 Center Street, Manassas, VA

July 9, 2009 - 7 p.m. - City of Hampton, City Council Chambers, 22 Lincoln Street, 8th Floor, Hampton, VA

July 14, 2009 - 7 p.m. - Virginia General Assembly Building, 910 Capitol Street, Senate Room B, Richmond, VA

Written public comment may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 21, 2009.

Summary:

The amendments provide technical criteria applicable to stormwater discharges from construction activities; establish minimum criteria for locality-administered stormwater management programs (qualifying local programs) and Department of Conservation and Recreation administered local stormwater management programs, as well as authorization procedures and review procedures for qualifying local programs; and revise the definitions section applicable to all of the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) regulations.

With regard to technical criteria applicable to stormwater discharges from construction activities, revised water quality and water quantity requirements are proposed to be included in Part II of the regulations. Water quality requirements include a 0.28 lbs/acre/year phosphorus standard for new development, a requirement that total phosphorus loads be reduced to an amount at least 20% below the predevelopment phosphorus load on prior developed lands, and a requirement that control measures be installed on a site to meet any applicable wasteload allocation are added. Water quantity requirements include both channel protection and flood protection criteria.

This action would also establish the minimum criteria and ordinance requirements (where applicable) for a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board authorized qualifying local program (Part III A) or for a board-authorized department-administered local stormwater management program (Part III B) which include, but are not limited to, administration, plan review, issuance of coverage under the General Virginia Stormwater Management Program Permit for Discharges of Stormwater from Construction Activities, inspection, enforcement, reporting, and recordkeeping. Part III D establishes the procedures the board will utilize in authorizing a locality to administer a qualifying local program. Part III C establishes the criteria the department will utilize in reviewing a locality's administration of a qualifying local program.

Finally, this proposed action would make changes to definitions in Part I, which is applicable to the full body of the VSMP regulations. Unnecessary definitions are proposed to be deleted, needed definitions are proposed to be added, and many existing definitions are proposed to be updated.

For additional information please contact David C. Dowling, Policy, Planning, and Budget Director, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 786-2291, FAX (804) 786-6141, or email david.dowling@dcr.virginia.gov.


TITLE 9. ENVIRONMENT

STATE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: Due to its length, the following regulation filed by the State Air Pollution Control Board (9VAC5-45, Consumer and Commercial Products) is not being published. However, in accordance with § 2.2-4031 of the Code of Virginia, the summary is being published in lieu of the full text. The full text of the regulation is available for public inspection at the office of the Registrar of Regulations and at the State Air Pollution Control Board (see contact information below) and is accessible on the Virginia Register of Regulations website at http://register.dls.virginia.gov/
vol25/Welcome.htm.

 

9VAC5-20. General Provisions (amending 9VAC5-20-21).

9VAC5-45. Consumer and Commercial Products (adding 9VAC5-45-10 through 9VAC5-45-850).

Public Hearing Information:

July 22, 2009 - 10 a.m. - Department of Environmental Quality, Northern Regional Office, Conference Room 1, 13901 Crown Court, Woodbridge, VA

Written public comment may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 10, 2009.

Summary:

A new chapter (9VAC5-45) is established for the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from various consumer and commercial products in the Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg VOC Emissions Control Areas. The new chapter consists of two parts. The first part of the new chapter contains general requirements pertaining to all of the types of consumer and commercial products regulated. The second part is composed of articles that contain VOC content and emission standards for individual types of consumer products and contain the control technology, testing, monitoring, administrative, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements necessary to determine compliance with each of the applicable standards.

The new chapter includes two articles that control VOC emissions from portable fuel containers and spouts. These articles implement design, performance, and labeling standards for portable fuel container products before and after January 1, 2009, and prohibit owners from manufacturing, distributing, and selling noncompliant products.

The new chapter includes two articles that control VOC emissions from certain types of consumer products. These articles implement VOC content standards for some individual product categories before and after January 1, 2009, and prohibit owners from manufacturing, distributing, advertising, or selling noncompliant products.

The new chapter includes an article for the control of VOC emissions from architectural and industrial maintenance coatings that implements VOC content standards for all such coating products and prohibits owners from manufacturing, distributing, selling, and using noncompliant products.

The new chapter includes an article that controls VOC emissions from adhesives, adhesive primers, sealants, and sealant primers that implements VOC content limits for those products and prohibits owners from manufacturing, distributing, selling, or applying noncompliant products.

Finally, the new chapter includes an article that controls VOC emissions from asphalt paving operations, which prescribes the use of emulsified asphalt coatings except for the purpose of coating residential driveways and prohibits the mixing, storage, and application of noncompliant products.

For more information, please contact Gary E. Graham, Department of Environmental Quality, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 698-4103, FAX (804) 698-4510, or email gegraham@deq.virginia.gov.


TITLE 12. HEALTH

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

12VAC30-80. Methods and Standards for Establishing Payment Rates; Other Types of Care (amending 12VAC30-80-30, 12VAC30-80-190).

No public hearings are scheduled. Written public comment may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 7, 2009.

Summary:

Item 306 PP of Chapter 879 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly directed DMAS to recalibrate its Resource Based Relative Value System (RBRVS) physician reimbursement rates by implementing a site of service differential payment policy.

12VAC30-80-190 is being amended to implement a site of service differential for RBRVS physician rates. Payment for physician services in some cases will be recalibrated to implement different rates for services depending on the site of service based on the relative value units (RVUs) for a procedure code published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). For procedures that can be performed in either a facility or nonfacility, CMS has been publishing separate RVUs for several years and Medicare rates are based on site of service. Different Medicaid rates by site of service will be phased in over a four-year period.

12VAC30-80-30 is being amended to remove the long-standing payment reduction applied to physician services when performed in hospital settings, as compared to physicians’ offices.

For additional information please contact Carla Russell, Health Care Reimbursement Manager, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 225-4586, FAX (804) 371-8892, or email carla.russell@dmas.virginia.gov.

 

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

12VAC30-50. Amount, Duration, and Scope of Medical and Remedial Care Services (amending 12VAC30-50-130).

No public hearings are scheduled. Written public comment may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 7, 2009.

Summary:

The proposed amendment implements Item 306 OO of Chapter 879 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly by requiring providers to obtain prior authorization in order to be reimbursed for intensive in-home services to children and adolescents. This requirement has been in effect since July 2, 2008, under emergency regulations.

For further information, please contact Catherine Hancock, Project Manager, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 225-4272, FAX (804) 786-1680, or email catherine.hancock@dmas.virginia.gov.

 

STATE BOARD OF HEALTH

12VAC5-612. Regulations to Implement the Onsite Sewage Indemnification Fund (adding 12VAC5-612-10 through 12VAC5-612-100).

No public hearings are scheduled. Written public comment may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 7, 2009.

Summary:

The regulations administer § 32.1-164.1:01 of the Code of Virginia, which creates the Onsite Sewage Indemnification Fund. The fund reimburses Virginia real property owners whose onsite sewage systems fail within three years of construction from the negligence of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). In order to receive assistance, the commissioner must find that the Virginia real property owner (i) meets the statutory requirements specified in the Code of Virginia (i.e., valid permit, failure of onsite sewage system within three years from installation, negligent actions by VDH caused failure); (ii) submits a complete application within one year of the date of failure; (iii) follows the requirements to repair or replace the failed system; and (iv) executes a release of claims against the Commonwealth related to the failed system.

If the commissioner finds that the onsite sewage system failed within three years from faulty construction or other private party error, then the commissioner may assist the owner in seeking redress from the system’s builder or other private party.

For further information, please contact Allen Knapp, Environmental Health Coordinator, Department of Health, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 864-7458, FAX (804) 864-7476, or email allen.knapp@vdh.virginia.gov.

 

STATE BOARD OF HEALTH

12VAC5-650. State Board of Health Schedule of Civil Penalties (adding 12VAC5-650-10 through 12VAC5-650-100).

No public hearings are scheduled. Written public comments may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 7, 2009.

Summary:

The proposed amendment implements Item 306 OO of Chapter 879 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly by requiring providers to obtain prior authorization in order to be reimbursed for intensive in-home services to children and adolescents. This requirement has been in effect since July 2, 2008, under emergency regulations.

For further information, please contact Catherine Hancock, Project Manager, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 225-4272, FAX (804) 786-1680, or email catherine.hancock@dmas.virginia.gov.


TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF PHARMACY

18VAC110-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Pharmacy (amending 18VAC110-20-20).

18VAC110-50. Regulations Governing Wholesale Distributors, Manufacturers, and Warehousers (amending 18VAC110-50-20).

Public Hearing Information:

June 10, 2009 - 9 a.m. - Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, 2nd Floor, Richmond, VA

Written public comment may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 7, 2009.

Summary:

The proposed amendments establish annual renewal dates for various licenses, permits, and registrations under the Board of Pharmacy. The amendments are currently in effect under emergency regulations that will expire September 22, 2009.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Scott Russell, RPh, Executive Director, Board of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 367-4456, FAX (804) 527-4472, or email scotti.russell@dhp.virginia.gov.

 

BOARD OF MEDICINE

18VAC85-80. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Occupational Therapists (amending 18VAC85-80-10, 18VAC85-80-26, 18VAC85-80-40, 18VAC85-80-45, 18VAC85-80-50, 18VAC85-80-65, 18VAC85-80-70, 18VAC85-80-72, 18VAC85-80-73, 18VAC85-80-80, 18VAC85-80-90, 18VAC85-80-100, 18VAC85-80-110; adding 18VAC85-80-111; repealing 18VAC85-80-61).

Public Hearing Information:

July 28, 2009 - 10 a.m. - Department of Health Professions, 9960 Mayland Drive, 2nd Floor, Richmond, VA

Written public comment may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 7, 2009.

Summary:

The proposed amendments establish requirements for the licensure of occupational therapy assistants as mandated by Chapters 64 and 89 of the 2008 Acts of Assembly. The regulations will replace existing emergency regulations that will expire October 31, 2009.

The regulations specify the national credential for licensure, the requirements for continuing competency and renewal, fees for licensure as an occupational therapy assistant (OTA), the provisions for supervision of OTAs, and the perimeters for practice. In order to be licensed, an applicant must pass the certification examination for an occupational therapy assistant from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Practice by an OTA must be supervised by an occupational therapist (OT) and include services that do not require the clinical decision or specific knowledge, skills and judgment of a licensed OT nor the discretionary aspects of the initial assessment, evaluation or development of a treatment plan.

For more information, please contact William L. Harp, M.D., Executive Director, Board of Medicine, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 367-4621, FAX (804) 527-4429, or email william.harp@dhp.virginia.gov.

 

VIRGINIA BOARD FOR ASBESTOS, LEAD, AND HOME INSPECTORS

18VAC15-40. Virginia Certified Home Inspectors Regulations (amending 18VAC15-40-10, 18VAC15-40-30, 18VAC15-40-50, 18VAC15-40-80, 18VAC15-40-90, 18VAC15-40-100, 18VAC15-40-120, 18VAC15-40-130, 18VAC15-40-140, 18VAC15-40-190; adding 18VAC15-40-45, 18VAC15-40-48, 18VAC15-40-52, 18VAC15-40-72, 18VAC15-40-85, 18VAC15-40-105; repealing 18VAC15-40-70, 18VAC15-40-110).

Public Hearing Information:

July 10, 2009 - 10 a.m. - Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 200, Board Room 4, Richmond, VA

Written public comment may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 7, 2009.

Summary:

The amendments (i) update the definitions, the qualifications for certification, the certified home inspection contract provisions, the certified home inspection report provisions, the conflict of interest provisions, and the unworthiness and incompetence provisions; (ii) add continuing professional education requirements; and (iii) change several sections to conform to DPOR’s model regulations with no substantive impact.

For more information, please contact Justin Garofalo, Board Administrator, Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead and Home Inspectors, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 367-2567, FAX (804) 527-4297, or email justin.garofalo@dpor.virginia.gov.

 

COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITY BOARD

18VAC48-50. Common Interest Community Manager Regulations (adding 18VAC48-50-10 through 18VAC48-50-290).

Public Hearing Information:

August 3, 2009 - 10 a.m. - Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, 9960 Mayland Drive, 2nd Floor, Board Room 1, Richmond, VA

Written public comment may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 21, 2009.

Summary:

This is a new regulation that establishes the licensure requirements for common interest community managers, as well as the standards of practice and conduct for common interest community managers and requirements for training programs. The regulation will ultimately replace emergency regulations that were implemented as a result of the enactment of Chapters 851 and 871 of the Acts of the 2008 General Assembly, which were the result of HB 516 and SB 301. These Acts required regulations to be effective within 280 days of enactment, thus the implementation of emergency regulations on November 13, 2008.

For additional information, please contact Trisha Henshaw, Executive Director, Common Interest Community Board, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 367-8510, FAX (804) 527-4298, or email cic@dpor.virginia.gov.


TITLE 22. SOCIAL SERVICES

STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES

22VAC40-630. Disability Advocacy Project (repealing 22VAC40-630-10 through 22VAC40-630-50).

Written public comment may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 7, 2009.

Summary:

General Relief is a program that provides assistance to individuals who are not eligible for other forms of assistance and is an optional program at the local level. The regulation provides procedures for referring recipients to legal representation during an appeal of a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability determination process and providing information on how the appeal may affect their General Relief benefits. This regulation is repealed and its provisions will be included in a new comprehensive General Relief Program regulation (22VAC40-411).

For more information, please contact Mark L. Golden, TANF Program Manager, Department of Social Services, Division of Benefit Programs, Richmond, VA, telephone (804) 726-7385, FAX (804) 726-7356, or email mark.golden@dss.virginia.gov.


Division of Legislative Services > Legislative Record > 2009