Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-162 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 10 / Section 51.5-162
Independent living services
Status: in_force

Independent living services provided pursuant to this article shall be provided in accordance with the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.), as amended.

1985, c. 421, §§ 51.01-24, 51.5-24; 2003, c. 503 ; 2012, cc. 803 , 835 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-107 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 13 / Section 51.5-107
Powers and duties of Board
Status: in_force

The Board shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To ensure the development of long-range programs and plans provided by the state and local governments for Virginians who are deaf or hard-of-hearing;

2. To review and comment on all budgets and requests for appropriations for the Department prior to their submission to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Governor and on all applications for federal funds; and

3. To advise the Governor, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Director and the General Assembly on matters related to Virginians who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

1984, c. 670, § 63.1-85.1:3; 2002, c. 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-120 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 1 / Section 51.5-120
Cooperation of Department with other state departments
Status: in_force

A. The Department shall collaborate with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in activities related to licensing providers of (i) services under the Individual and Families Developmental Disabilities Support Waiver, (ii) services under the Brain Injury Waiver, and (iii) residential services for individuals with brain injuries as defined in § 37.2-403 . These activities include involving advocacy and consumer groups who represent persons with developmental disabilities or brain injuries in the regulatory process; training the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, local human rights committees, and the State Human Rights Committee on the unique needs and preferences of individuals with developmental disabilities or brain injuries; assisting in the development of regulatory requirements for such providers; and providing technical assistance in the regulatory process and in performing annual inspections and complaint investigations.

B. The Department shall collaborate with the Department of Social Services in activities related to the planning and provision of adult services pursuant to Article 4 (§ 51.5-144 et seq.), adult protective services pursuant to Article 5 (§ 51.5-148 ), and auxiliary grants pursuant to Article 9 (§ 51.5-159 et seq.).

C. The Department shall enter into cooperative agreements with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Virginia Community College System, public institutions of higher education, and the Department of Education to identify the responsibilities of each public entity relating to the provision of vocational rehabilitation services as required by the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.), as amended.

2012, c. 803 , 835 ; 2016, c. 27 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-145 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 4 / Section 51.5-145
Responsibility of the Department for adult services
Status: in_force

The Department shall have responsibility for the planning and oversight of adult services in the Commonwealth. Services shall be delivered by local departments of social services, as set out in Article 1 (§ 63.2-1600 et seq.) of Chapter 16 of Title 63.2, and pursuant to regulations and subject to the oversight of the Commissioner.

2012, cc. 803 , 835 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-149.1 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 6 / Section 51.5-149.1
Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board; purpose; membership; terms
Status: in_force

A. The Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board (the Board) is established as an advisory board, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100 , in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Board shall be to report to and advise the Commissioner on the means for effectuating the purposes of this article and shall assist in the coordination and management of the local and regional programs appointed to act as public guardians and conservators pursuant to Chapter 20 (§ 64.2-2000 et seq.) of Title 64.2.

B. The Board shall consist of no more than 15 members who shall be appointed by the Governor as follows: one representative of the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging; one representative of the Virginia State Bar; one active or retired circuit court judge upon recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; one representative of ARC of Virginia; one representative of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Virginia; one representative of the Virginia League of Social Service Executives; one representative of the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards; the Commissioner of Social Services or his designee; the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or his designee; and one person who is a member of the Commonwealth Council on Aging and such other individuals who may be qualified to assist in the duties of the Board, who may include a representative of the Commonwealth's designated protection and advocacy system.

C. The Commissioners of Social Services and Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, or their designees, and the representative of the Commonwealth Council on Aging shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office or, in the case of designees, the term of the Commissioner. The other members of the Board shall serve for four-year terms. No member shall serve more than two successive terms. A vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment.

D. Each year, the Board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

E. Members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2823 .

2016, c. 40 ; 2023, c. 476 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-43 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 9 / Section 51.5-43
Discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities in exercising right to vote prohibited
Status: in_force

No person with a disability who is otherwise entitled to vote under the provisions of § 24.2-400 and who is not disqualified from voting under the provisions of § 24.2-101 shall be denied the opportunity to register or vote in this Commonwealth because of such disability. However, nothing in this section shall be construed to require the release of patients from any state hospital as defined in § 37.2-100 or prisoners of any state correctional facility as defined in § 53.1-1 for purposes of registering to vote or voting.

1985, c. 421, § 51.01-43.
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-149 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 6 / Section 51.5-149
Policy statement; Virginia Public Guardian and Conservator Program established; definitions
Status: in_force

A. The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to ensure that persons who cannot adequately care for themselves because of incapacity (in this article, also referred to as clients) are able to meet essential requirements for physical and emotional health and management of financial resources with the assistance of a guardian or conservator, as appropriate, in circumstances where (i) the incapacitated person's financial resources are insufficient to fully compensate a private guardian or conservator and pay court costs and fees associated with the appointment proceeding and (ii) there is no other proper and suitable person willing and able to serve in such capacity or there is no guardian or conservator appointed within one month of adjudication pursuant to § 64.2-2015 . In order to ensure that the protection and assistance of a guardian or conservator are available to all incapacitated persons in the Commonwealth, there is established the statewide Virginia Public Guardian and Conservator Program (the Program) within the Department to (a) facilitate the creation of local or regional programs to provide services as public guardians or conservators and (b) fund, coordinate, administer, and manage such programs.

B. The definitions found in § 64.2-2000 shall apply to this article.

1998, c. 787 , §§ 2.1-373.10, 2.1-373.11; 2001, c. 844 , § 2.2-711; 2005, c. 712 ; 2012, cc. 803 , 835 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-44 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 9 / Section 51.5-44
Rights of persons with disabilities in public places and places of public accommodation
Status: in_force

A. A person with a disability has the same rights as other persons to the full and free use of the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, paths of travel, public playgrounds, public buildings, public facilities, public entities, and other public places. For purposes of this section, a "person with a disability" means a person whose disability is unrelated to his ability to utilize and benefit from a place of public accommodation or public service.

B. Each place of public accommodation shall ensure that barriers to accessibility are removed when the removal is readily achievable. To determine whether an action is readily achievable, the following factors shall be considered:

1. The nature and cost of the action needed to remove the barriers;

2. The overall financial resources of the place of public accommodation involved in the action; the number of persons employed at the place of public accommodation; the effect on expenses and resources; legitimate safety requirements that are necessary for safe operation, including crime prevention measures; or the impact otherwise of the action upon the operation of the place of public accommodation;

3. The geographic separateness and the administrative or fiscal relationship of the place of public accommodation in question to any parent corporation or entity;

4. If applicable, the overall financial resources of any parent corporation or entity; the overall size of the parent corporation or entity with respect to the number of its employees or the number, type, and location of its facilities; and

5. If applicable, the type of operation or operations of any parent corporation or entity, including the composition, structure, and functions of the workforce of the parent corporation or entity.

A person with a disability is entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of all common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor buses, streetcars, subways, boats or any other public conveyances or modes of transportation, restaurants, hotels, lodging places, places of public accommodation, amusement or resort, public entities including schools, and other places to which the general public is invited subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all persons.

C. Each town, city, or county, individually or through transportation district commissions, shall ensure that persons with disabilities have access to the public transportation within its jurisdiction by either (i) use of the same transportation facilities or carriers available to the general public, (ii) provision of paratransit or special transportation services for persons with disabilities, or (iii) both. All persons with disabilities in the jurisdiction's service area who, by reason of their disabilities, are unable to use the service for the general public shall be eligible to use such paratransit or special transportation service. No fee that exceeds the fee charged to the general public shall be charged a person with a disability for the use of the same transportation facilities or carriers available to the general public. Paratransit or special transportation service for persons with disabilities may charge fees to such persons comparable to the fees charged to the general public for similar service in the jurisdiction service area, taking into account especially the type, length, and time of trip. Any variance between special service and regular service fares shall be justifiable in terms of actual differences between the two kinds of service provided.

D. Nothing in this title shall be construed to require retrofitting of any public transit equipment or to require the retrofitting, renovation, or alteration of buildings or places to a degree more stringent than that required by the applicable building code in effect at the time the building permit for such building or place is issued.

E. Every totally or partially blind person shall have the right to be accompanied by a dog in harness trained as a guide dog, every person who is deaf or hard of hearing shall have the right to be accompanied by a dog trained as a hearing dog on a blaze orange leash, and every mobility-impaired or otherwise disabled person shall have the right to be accompanied by a dog trained as a service dog in a harness, backpack, or vest identifying the dog as a trained service dog in any of the places listed in subsection B without being required to pay an extra charge for the dog, provided that he shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such dog. The provisions of this section shall apply to persons accompanied by a dog that is in training, at least six months of age, and is (i) in harness, provided such person is an experienced trainer of guide dogs or is conducting continuing training of a guide dog; (ii) on a blaze orange leash, provided such person is an experienced trainer of hearing dogs or is conducting continuing training of a hearing dog; (iii) in a harness, backpack, or vest identifying the dog as a trained service dog, provided such person is an experienced trainer of service dogs or is conducting continuing training of a service dog; (iv) wearing a jacket identifying the recognized guide, hearing, or service dog organization, provided such person is an experienced trainer of the organization identified on the jacket; or (v) the person is part of a three-unit service dog team and is conducting continuing training of a service dog.

Code 1950, § 63.1-171.2; 1972, c. 156; 1979, c. 207; 1985, c. 421, § 51.01-44; 1987, c. 500; 1989, c. 326; 1994, c. 108 ; 2001, c. 443 ; 2008, cc. 431 , 506 ; 2012, cc. 803 , 835 ; 2014, c. 616 ; 2019, c. 288 ; 2024, c. 648 ; 2025, c. 378 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-12 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 3 / Section 51.5-12
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2011, cc. 7 and 166 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-59 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 11 / Section 51.5-59
Annual report; Auditor of Public Accounts to audit books and accounts
Status: in_force

The Board shall submit an annual report that includes a statement of the receipts, disbursements, and current investments of the Fund for the preceding year to the Governor and the General Assembly. The report shall set forth a complete operating and financial statement covering the operation of the Fund during the year, including any loan fund or loan guarantee fund the Authority administers or manages. The Auditor of Public Accounts or his legally authorized representatives shall audit the books and accounts of the Authority and any loan fund or loan guarantee fund the Authority administers or manages as determined necessary by the Auditor of Public Accounts.

1995, c. 812 ; 2006, cc. 344 , 380 ; 2018, cc. 57 , 307 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-164 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 10 / Section 51.5-164
Statewide Independent Living Council created
Status: in_force

The Statewide Independent Living Council is hereby created to develop and sign the Statewide Plan for Independent Living in accordance with Title VII of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 796 et seq.) and to perform other activities as provided in such Act. Membership and duties shall be constructed according to federal provisions. The Department shall provide staff support for the Council.

1994, c. 81 , § 51.5-25.1; 2006, cc. 110 , 169 ; 2007, cc. 473 , 556 ; 2011, cc. 7 , 166 ; 2012, cc. 803 , 835 ; 2016, c. 27 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-118 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 1 / Section 51.5-118
Department designated as state agency for purpose of cooperation with federal government
Status: in_force

The Department is designated, subject to the provisions of §§ 51.5-66 and 51.5-77 regarding the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, as the state agency for the purpose of cooperating with the federal government in carrying out the provisions and purposes of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.) and is empowered and directed to cooperate with the federal government in the administration of such act, to prescribe and provide services as may be necessary for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, to provide for the supervision of such services, and to disburse and administer federal funds provided for the rehabilitation of such persons.

Code 1950, §§ 2.1-584, 22-327, 22-330.9; 1964, c. 276; 1978, c. 635; 1980, c. 559; 1985, c. 421, § 51.01-9, 51.5-9; 2012, cc. 803 , 835 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-105 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 12 / Article 5 / Section 51.5-105
Certain acts declared misdemeanors
Status: in_force

Any person, firm, corporation, institution or association, who (i) shall use or employ an imprint, stamp, symbol or label issued or approved by the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired or an imitation thereof without having registered with the Department, or (ii) who shall directly or indirectly by any means indicate or tend to indicate or represent that the goods or articles were made by a blind person or persons when in fact such goods or articles were not so made, or (iii) who violates any provision of § 51.5-104 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 63-204.30; 1966, c. 169; 1968, c. 578, § 63.1-171; 2002, c. 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-89 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 12 / Article 4 / Section 51.5-89
Placement of blind persons in vacancies by Department; vending stands in Capitol; regulations
Status: in_force

When any vending stand or other business enterprise operated in a public building becomes vacant or a vacancy is created through the construction or acquisition of new public buildings or renovation or expansion of existing public buildings, the existence of such vacancies shall be made known to the Department. The Department acting on behalf of the blind shall have first priority in assuming the operation of such vending stand or business enterprise through placement of a properly trained blind person in such vacancy. This section shall not apply to vending stands or other business enterprises operated in (i) local government buildings, (ii) the State Capitol, or (iii) the legislative office buildings that shall be subject to the control of the Rules Committee of the House of Delegates and the Rules Committee of the Senate. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any locality may, by ordinance or resolution, provide for the Department to have first priority in assuming the operation of any vending stand or business enterprise located in a local government building.

Code 1950, § 63-204.14; 1950, p. 6; 1968, c. 578, § 63.1-155; 1978, c. 497; 1979, c. 528; 1992, c. 755; 2002, c. 747 ; 2012, cc. 805 , 836 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-93 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 12 / Article 4 / Section 51.5-93
Requiring nominee to comply with provisions
Status: in_force

The Department shall require the nominee to comply with such provisions as the Department may from time to time find necessary.

Code 1950, § 63-204.18; 1968, c. 578, § 63.1-159; 2002, c. 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-98 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 12 / Article 4 / Section 51.5-98
Exemption from taxation; collection and remittance of sales and meals taxes
Status: in_force

A. Except as hereinafter provided, the Department, its nominee, and blind persons operating vending stands or other business enterprises under the jurisdiction of the Department shall be exempt from all state and local taxes.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, blind persons operating vending stands or other business enterprises under the jurisdiction of the Department shall be liable for the collection and remittance of any state or local retail sales taxes imposed or authorized by Chapter 6 (§ 58.1-600 et seq.) of Title 58.1 and local meals taxes imposed or authorized by Chapter 38 (§ 58.1-3800 et seq.) of Title 58.1 that are actually collected or collectible from the purchaser unless the property on which such vending stands or other business enterprises are located has been acquired and used by the United States for any military or naval purpose within the Commonwealth and a post exchange or tax exempt concession is located and operated on such land, in which case such blind persons shall not be liable for the collection and remittance of such state or local retail sales tax or local meals tax.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve any blind person operating vending stands or other business enterprises under the jurisdiction of the Department from the imposition of (i) local income taxes, (ii) state income taxes or (iii) other taxes imposed that are unrelated to the operation of such vending stands or other business enterprises.

Code 1950, § 63-204.23; 1968, c. 578, § 63.1-164; 1970, c. 198; 1989, c. 314; 2002, c. 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-110 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 13 / Section 51.5-110
Powers and duties of Director
Status: in_force

A. The Director shall have the following duties and powers:

1. To supervise the administration of the Department;

2. To prepare, approve, and submit all requests for appropriations and be responsible for all expenditures pursuant to appropriations;

3. To employ such personnel as may be required to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

4. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of the Department's duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter, including, but not limited to, contracts with the United States, other states, and agencies and governmental subdivisions of Virginia; and

5. To accept grants from the United States government and agencies and instrumentalities thereof and any other source. To these ends, the Director shall have the power to comply with such conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable.

B. To effectuate the purposes of this chapter, the Director may request from any department, division, board, commission or other agency and the same shall provide such information, assistance and cooperation as will enable the Director properly to exercise his powers and perform his duties hereunder.

1983, c. 440, § 63.1-85.2:1; 1984, c. 670; 1985, c. 397; 2002, c. 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-152 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 7 / Section 51.5-152
Powers and duties of the Department with respect to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders
Status: in_force

The Department shall:

1. Serve as a referral point for linking families caring for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders with Virginia's chapters of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association;

2. Provide information, counseling, education, and referral about services and programs, including safe, secure environments as defined in § 63.2-1802 , that may support individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders;

3. Collect and monitor data related to the impact of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders on Virginians;

4. Evaluate the needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers, and identify the services, resources, and policies that may be needed to address such needs for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers;

5. Recommend strategies for coordination of services and resources among agencies involved in the delivery of services to Virginians with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders;

6. Monitor development and implementation of the state plan for meeting the needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers required pursuant to subdivision D 4 of § 51.5-154 ; and

7. Recommend policies, legislation, and funding necessary to implement the state plan for meeting the needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers required pursuant to subdivision D 4 of § 51.5-154 .

2003, cc. 749 , 766 , § 2.2-718; 2012, cc. 803 , 835 ; 2013, c. 376 ; 2020, c. 728 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-155 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 8 / Section 51.5-155
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2020, c. 728 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-91 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 12 / Article 4 / Section 51.5-91
Ownership of vending stands and other equipment
Status: in_force

The ownership of all vending stands and other business enterprise equipment provided under this article shall, however, remain in the Department, or in the nominee of the Department.

Code 1950, § 63-204.16; 1968, c. 578, § 63.1-157; 2002, c. 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-165 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 10 / Section 51.5-165
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2016, c. 27 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-171 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 11 / Section 51.5-171
Assessment
Status: in_force

When an individual applies for vocational rehabilitation services provided or funded by the Department, in whole or in part, an assessment shall be made to determine eligibility for benefits according to the standards adopted pursuant to § 51.5-170 . If, after an assessment, eligibility is established, a comprehensive assessment shall be conducted to ascertain the nature and scope of services needed by the applicant. Both assessments shall be carried out with the involvement of the applicant and his parents or guardian if appropriate. Both assessments shall include, when appropriate, (i) a review of existing data and, to the extent necessary, the provision of appropriate assessment activities to obtain necessary data to determine eligibility and services needed; (ii) referral for the provision of rehabilitation technology services to assess and develop the individual's capacities to perform in a work environment; and (iii) referral to other agencies and organizations for appropriate assessment services.

1985, c. 421, §§ 51.01-16, 51.5-16; 1989, c. 181; 2002, c. 46 ; 2012, c. 803 , 835 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-113 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 13 / Section 51.5-113
Statewide interpreter service
Status: in_force

The Department is authorized to establish, maintain and coordinate a statewide service to provide courts, state and local legislative bodies and agencies, both public and private, and persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing who request the same with qualified interpreters for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing out of such funds as may be appropriated to the Department for these purposes.

Those courts and state and local agencies that have funds designated to employ qualified interpreters shall pay for the actual cost of such interpreter. The Department is further authorized to establish and maintain lists of qualified interpreters for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to be available to the courts, state and local legislative bodies and agencies, both public and private, and to persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

The Department is authorized to charge a reasonable fee for the administration of quality assurance screening of interpreters. Such fees shall be applied to the costs of administering the statewide interpreter service.

For purposes of this section, a qualified interpreter shall be one who holds at least one of the following credentials:

1. Certification from any national organization whose certification process has been recognized by the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing; or

2. A current screening level awarded by the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening Program of the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing; or

3. A screening level or recognized evaluation from any other state when (i) the credentials meet the minimum requirements of Virginia Quality Assurance Screening and (ii) the credentials are valid and current in the state issued.

1978, c. 603, § 63.1-85.4:1; 1984, c. 670; 1990, c. 192; 1992, c. 614; 2002, c. 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-76 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 12 / Article 3 / Section 51.5-76
Cooperation with other state agencies
Status: in_force

The Department shall cooperate with the State Board of Health and other state agencies in the adoption and enforcement of blindness prevention efforts.

Code 1950, § 63-166; 1968, c. 578, § 63.1-72; 1980, c. 4; 2002, c. 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-78 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 12 / Article 4 / Section 51.5-78
Operation by Department
Status: in_force

The Department is hereby authorized to operate vending stands and other business enterprises in public and private buildings for the purpose of providing blind persons with employment, enlarging the economic opportunities of the blind, and stimulating the blind to make themselves self-supporting.

Code 1950, § 63-204.2; 1968, c. 578, § 63.1-143; 2002, c. 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-62 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 51.5-62
Powers and duties of Board; form of materials
Status: in_force

A. The Board shall exercise the following general powers and duties:

1. Advise the Governor, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Commissioner, and the General Assembly on the delivery of public services to and the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities on matters relating to this title, and on such other matters as the Governor, Secretary, Commissioner, or the General Assembly may request; and

2. Review and comment on policies, budgets and requests for appropriations for the Department prior to their submission to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Governor and on applications for federal funds.

B. Material submitted by the Commissioner for review and comment by the Board, when practicable, shall be in the medium or format suitable for review by each member of the Board.

1992, c. 755, § 63.1-68.1; 1995, c. 392 ; 2002, c. 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-71 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 12 / Article 3 / Section 51.5-71
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and Vision Impaired created
Status: in_force

The State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and Vision Impaired is hereby created to provide advice to the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired regarding vocational services provided pursuant to Title I and Title VI of the federal Rehabilitation Act. Membership and duties shall be constructed according to federal provisions.

1994, c. 81 , § 63.1-70.1; 2000, c. 498 ; 2002, cc. 46 , 747 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-58 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 11 / Section 51.5-58
Provision of loans
Status: in_force

A. The Board may enter into loan agreements with any qualifying borrower who demonstrates (i) that the loan will be used to acquire assistive technology, other equipment, or other authorized purposes designed to help one or more persons with disabilities to improve their independence or become more productive members of the community and (ii) who has the ability to repay the loan.

B. The amount and terms of any loan shall be determined by the Board.

C. All loans must be repaid on such terms and at such interest rates as the Board may, from time to time, determine to be appropriate in accordance with a procedure prescribed by regulations adopted pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

1995, c. 812 ; 2002, c. 19 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-132 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 2 / Section 51.5-132
Commissioner to establish regulations regarding human research
Status: in_force

The Commissioner shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) to effectuate the provisions of Chapter 5.1 (§ 32.1-162.16 et seq.) of Title 32.1 for human research, as defined in § 32.1-162.16 , to be conducted or authorized by the Department, any area agency on aging, any sheltered workshop, any independent living center, or the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center. The regulations shall require the human research review committee, as provided in § 32.1-162.19 , to submit to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Commissioner or his designee, at least annually, a report on the human research projects reviewed and approved by the committee and shall require the committee to report any significant deviations from the proposals as approved.

2003, cc. 57 , 73 , § 51.5-14.01; 2012, cc. 803 , 835 ; 2015, c. 542 ; 2020, c. 728 .
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-133 — Virginia Code / Title 51.5 / Chapter 14 / Article 2 / Section 51.5-133
Cooperation with local authorities
Status: in_force

The Commissioner shall assist and cooperate with local authorities in the administration of this chapter. He shall encourage and direct the training of all personnel of local boards and local departments engaged in the administration of any adult services or adult protective services program within the purview of this chapter. The Commissioner shall collect and publish statistics and such other data as may be deemed of value in assisting public authorities and agencies of the Commonwealth in improving the care of older Virginians and persons with disabilities. The Commissioner shall also, in his discretion, initiate and conduct conferences designed to accomplish such ends and to further coordination of effort in this field.

2012, cc. 803 , 835 .