DSS Proposed Regulations

VCAL (8/3/2006

The Department of Social Services (DSS) has released the proposed DSS Standards for Licensed Assisted Living Facilities (replacement regulations) and proposed General Procedures and Information for Licensure that will be published in the August 7th Virginia Register with a 60-day public comment period from August 7, 2006 through October 6, 2006.  The proposed replacement regulations will replace the current emergency regulations due to expire in December 2006. 

Three public hearings are scheduled during the public comment period, with registration starting at 5:30 p.m. and the hearing beginning at 6:00 p.m.  The hearings are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

September 7, 2006
Fredericksburg Christian School
9400 Thornton Rolling Road
Fredericksburg, VA
504.373.5355

September 11, 2006
Williamsburg Library Theatre
515 Scotland Street
Williamsburg, VA
757.259.4070

September 13, 2006
Hidden Valley High School
5000 Titan Trail
Roanoke, VA
540.776.7320

The proposed replacement regulations include additional requirements for assisted living facilities in the following areas: care and services to residents; staff qualifications, training, and responsibilities; management of the facility; physical plant features; coordination with mental health systems; disclosure of information; and emergency preparedness.  DSS has indicated that the proposed standards emphasize resident-centered care and services.

In order to develop comments on the regulations, the VCAL Committee has scheduled a meeting at 10:00 a.m. on August 15th at the VHCA office in Richmond.  The meeting will be devoted to an update and review of four sets of regulations:  Medication Aides, Administrator Standards, Background Checks and Replacement Regulations for ALFs.  A link to the Replacement Regulations will be sent to you prior to the meeting once it is available.  Although the regulations on Background Checks are exempt from public comment we intend to review the specific requirements at the meeting.

If you are not a member of the committee but would like to attend the meeting, please contact Kathy Robertson at kathy.robertston@vhca.org.  We welcome participation of all VCAL members to assist in preparing specific recommendations to submit during the public comment period.  Please forward any comments to beverley.soble@vhca.org if you are unable to attend the meeting but have specific suggestions for changes.