reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-111.15. Statewide poison control system established

From such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose and from such gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds as may be received, the Board shall establish a statewide poison control system. The funding mechanism for the system and its services shall be as provided in the appropriation act.
The Board shall establish poison control centers that meet national certification standards promulgated by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. If such national certification standards are eliminated, the Board shall establish minimum standards for the designation and operation of these poison control centers. The poison control centers established by the Board shall report to the Board by October 1 of each year regarding program operations; expenditures; revenues, including in-kind contributions; financial status; future needs; and summaries of human poison exposure cases for the most recent calendar year.
The statewide system shall provide, at a minimum, (i) consultation, by free, 24-hour emergency telephone or other means of communication, to the public and to health care providers regarding the ingestion or application of substances, including determinations of emergency treatment, coordination of referrals to emergency treatment facilities, and provision of appropriate information to the staffs of such facilities; (ii) prevention education and information about poison control services; (iii) training for health care providers in toxicology and medical management of poison exposure cases; and (iv) poison control surveillance through the collection and analysis of data from reported poison exposures to identify poisoning hazards, prevent poisonings, and improve treatment of poisoned patients.
1996, c. 899; 2015, cc. 502, 503.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-111.16. Director of Office of Emergency Medical Services annual performance evaluation

Effective on and after July 1, 1996, the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, shall annually review and evaluate the performance of the Director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services. The Commissioner shall consider the Director's effectiveness in operating and managing the programs, services, and personnel, of the Office of Emergency Medical Services and the statewide emergency medical care system established in Article 2.1 (§ 32.1-111.1 et seq.) of this chapter; any recommendations of the Advisory Board; and such other relevant information as may be made available to the Commissioner pertaining to the Director's performance of his duties.
1996, c. 192.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-116.1:1. Disclosure of medical records

Any licensed physician, licensed health care provider, or licensed health care facility may disclose to emergency medical services personnel, an emergency medical services physician, or their licensed parent agency the medical records of a sick or injured person to whom such emergency medical services personnel or emergency medical services physician is providing or has rendered emergency medical care for the purpose of promoting the medical education of the specific person who provided such care or for quality improvement initiatives of their agency or of the emergency medical services system as a whole. Any emergency medical services personnel or emergency medical services physician to whom such confidential records are disclosed shall not further disclose such information to any persons not entitled to receive that information in accordance with the provisions of this section.
1988, c. 486; 2007, c. 13; 2008, c. 118; 2015, cc. 502, 503.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-116.2. Confidential nature of information supplied; publication; liability protections

A. The Commissioner and all other persons to whom data is submitted shall keep patient information confidential. Mechanisms for protecting patient data shall be developed and continually evaluated to ascertain their effectiveness. No publication of information, research or medical data shall be made which identifies the patients by names or addresses, except as specified in subsection B. The Commissioner or his designees may utilize institutional data in order to improve the quality of and appropriate access to emergency medical services and to improve the health of citizens of the Commonwealth.
B. In accordance with the State Board of Health's regulations and applicable federal law and regulations, the Commissioner may disclose information, research, or medical data that identifies patients by name or address if the Commissioner determines that such disclosure is necessary to develop and implement programs that improve the quality of patient care, improve access to medical services, or make other system improvements. The Commissioner shall only disclose such information with entities, including but not limited to other Virginia state agencies and programs, federal agencies and programs, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or recognized research institutions and organizations, that seek to improve quality of care, improve access to medical services, or make other system improvements.
C. No individual, licensed emergency medical services agency, hospital, Regional Emergency Medical Services Council or organization advising the Commissioner shall be liable for any civil damages resulting from any act or omission preformed as required by this article unless such act or omission was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
1987, c. 480; 2020, c. 883.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.01. Definitions

As used in this article unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Board" means the State Board of Health.
"Commissioner" means the State Health Commissioner.
"Consumer" means a person who is not a provider of health care services.
"Department" means the Virginia Department of Health.
"Health planning region" means a contiguous geographical area of the Commonwealth with a population base of at least 500,000 persons, which is characterized by the availability of multiple levels of medical care services, reasonable travel time for tertiary care, and congruence with planning districts.
"Provider" means a licensed or certified health care practitioner, a licensed health care facility or service administrator, or an individual who has a personal interest in a health care facility or service as defined in the Virginia Conflict of Interests Act (§ 2.2-3100 et seq.).
"Regional health planning agency" means the regional agency, including the regional health planning board, its staff and any component thereof, designated by the Board to perform the health planning activities set forth in this chapter within a health planning region.
"Regional health planning board" means the governing board of the regional health planning agency as described in § 32.1-122.05.
"Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Human Resources of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
"State Health Plan" means the document so designated by the Board, which may include analysis of priority health issues, policies, needs, methodologies for assessing statewide health care needs, and such other matters as the Board shall deem appropriate.
"Tertiary care" means health care delivered by facilities that provide specialty acute care including, but not limited to, trauma care, neonatal intensive care and cardiac services.
1989, cc. 617, 633; 2002, c. 83.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.03. State Health Plan

A. The Board may develop, and revise as it deems necessary, the State Health Plan with the support of the Department and the assistance of the regional health planning agencies. Following review and comment by interested parties, including appropriate state agencies, the Board may develop and approve the State Health Plan. The State Health Plan shall be developed in accordance with components and methodologies that take into account special needs or circumstances of local areas. The Plan shall reflect data and analyses provided by the regional health planning agencies and include regional differences where appropriate. The Board, in preparation of the State Health Plan and to avoid unnecessary duplication, may consider and utilize all relevant and formally adopted plans of agencies, councils, and boards of the Commonwealth.
B. In order to develop and approve the State Health Plan, the Board may conduct such studies as may be necessary of critical health issues as identified by the Governor, General Assembly, Secretary or by the Board. Such studies may include, but not be limited to: (i) collection of data and statistics; (ii) analyses of information with subsequent recommendations for policy development, decision making and implementation; and (iii) analyses and evaluation of alternative health planning proposals and initiatives.
1989, cc. 617, 633; 2002, c. 83.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.04. Responsibilities of the Department

The Department shall have the following responsibilities as directed by the Board:
1. To conduct the research for the health planning activities of the Commonwealth.
2. To prepare, review and revise the State Health Plan when so directed by the Board.
3. To develop, under the direction of the Board and with the cooperation of the regional health planning agencies, the components and methodology for the State Health Plan, including any research, issue analyses and related reports.
4. To provide technical assistance to the regional health planning agencies.
5. To perform such other functions relating to health planning in the Commonwealth as may be requested by the Governor or the Secretary.
1989, cc. 617, 633; 2002, c. 83.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.06. Funds for regional health planning

In the interest of maintaining a regional health planning mechanism in the Commonwealth, there is hereby established funding for regional health planning. From such moneys as may be available and appropriated, this fund shall provide support of a maximum of fifteen cents per capita for each regional health planning agency as may be designated. Per capita population figures shall be obtained from official population estimates. This funding may be used for the administration of the regional health planning agency, the analysis of issues, and such other health planning purposes as may be requested.
Any local governing body may choose to appropriate funds for the purpose of providing additional funds for a regional health planning agency. However, nothing in this section shall place any obligation on any local governing body to appropriate funds to any regional health planning agency.
Each regional health planning agency shall be required to apply to the Department for funding, which shall be distributed as grants. This funding shall be administered by the Department, and the Board shall promulgate regulations as are necessary and relevant to administer the funding. All applications for such funding shall be accompanied by letters of assurance that the applicant shall comply with all state requirements.
For purposes of this section, regional health planning agencies in existence as of July 1, 2002, shall be retained as designated regional health planning agencies unless (i) the Board, pursuant to its regulations, revises such designations, or (ii) any individual regional health planning agency ceases operation or the designation as a regional health planning agency is otherwise terminated in accordance with the agreement between the regional health planning agency and the Board.
The extent to which grants are awarded from this fund shall be dependent upon the amount of money appropriated to implement the provisions of this section.
1989, cc. 617, 633; 1990, c. 391; 2002, c. 83; 2009, c. 175.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.08. Continuation of regulations

Regulations promulgated by the Virginia Health Planning Board prior to July 1, 2002, concerning health planning and resources development shall remain in force and effect until any such regulation is amended, modified, or repealed by the Board.
1989, cc. 617, 633; 2002, c. 83.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.5. Criteria to identify underserved areas

The Board of Health shall establish criteria to identify medically underserved areas within the Commonwealth. These criteria shall consist of quantifiable measures sensitive to the unique characteristics of urban and rural jurisdictions which may include the incidence of infant mortality, the availability of primary care resources, poverty levels, and other measures indicating the inadequacy of the primary health care system as determined by the Board. The Board shall also include in these criteria the need for medical care services in the state facilities operated by the Departments of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, and Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
1990, cc. 874, 877; 2009, cc. 813, 840.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.5:1. Conditional grants for certain medical students

A. With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board of Health shall establish, in addition to the scholarships established pursuant to § 32.1-122.6, annual medical scholarships for students who (i) intend to enter one of the designated specialties of family practice medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology and (ii) commit to practicing in a medically underserved area of Southwest Virginia. Such scholarships shall be awarded to students in good standing at the Quillen School of Medicine of East Tennessee State University, with preference being given to bona fide residents of Virginia, as determined by § 23.1-502 and specifically for bona fide residents of Southwest Virginia. The Board of Health shall request the governing board of East Tennessee State University to submit to the Commissioner the names of those eligible applicants who are most qualified as determined by the regulations of the Board for these medical scholarships. The Commissioner shall award the scholarships to applicants whose names are submitted by the governing board.
B. The provisions of § 32.1-122.6 and all regulations of the Board promulgated pursuant to § 32.1-122.6 shall apply to the award of the scholarships established herein and to the applicants for and recipients of such scholarships. In addition to the regulations established pursuant to § 32.1-122.6, the Board shall define Southwest Virginia by designating Planning Districts one, two, and three as those jurisdictions in which eligible students shall be required to serve.
1992, c. 358; 1994, c. 281.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.6:03. Conditional grants for certain physician assistant students

A. The Board of Health shall establish annual physician assistant scholarships for students who intend to enter an accredited physician assistant program in designated schools. The amounts and numbers of such scholarships shall be determined annually as provided in the appropriation act. The Commissioner shall act as fiscal agent for the Board in administration of the scholarship program through a physician assistant scholarship committee.
B. To administer the scholarship program, the Board shall promulgate regulations that shall include, but are not limited to:
1. Qualifications of applicants;
2. Criteria for awarding the scholarship to ensure that a recipient will fulfill the practice obligations established in this section;
3. Standards to ensure that these scholarships increase access to primary health care for individuals who are indigent or who are recipients of public assistance;
4. Assurances that residents of Virginia, as determined by § 23.1-502, minority students and residents of medically underserved areas are given preference in determining scholarship eligibility and awards;
5. Assurances that a scholarship recipient will practice as a physician assistant in an underserved area of the Commonwealth within two years following completion of training;
6. Methods for reimbursement to the Commonwealth by a recipient who fails to complete the educational program or who fails to honor the obligation to engage in practice as a physician assistant for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received;
7. Procedures for reimbursing any recipient who has repaid the Commonwealth for part or all of any scholarship and who later fulfills the terms of his contract; and
8. Methods for reporting data related to the recipients of the scholarships.
C. Prior to promulgating any regulation establishing any preferences noted in subdivision B 4, the Board shall issue written findings stating the bases for its decisions that any such preferences provided by the regulation comply with constitutional principles of equal protection.
D. Until such time as a fully accredited physician assistant education program is established at any health science center in the Commonwealth, the Board may designate that attendance at an accredited program in a nearby state is acceptable for scholarship eligibility.
E. For purposes of this section, the term "underserved area" shall include those medically underserved areas designated by the Board pursuant to § 32.1-122.5 and health professional shortage areas designated in accordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5.
F. Any scholarship amounts repaid by recipients pursuant to subdivision B 6, and any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this section and shall not revert to the general fund.
1997, c. 806; 2000, c. 926; 2001, c. 188.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.6:04. Nurse Loan Repayment Program

A. With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board shall establish a tuition loan repayment program for licensed practical nurses, licensed registered nurses, or certified nurse aides who meet criteria determined by the Board. The Commissioner shall act as the fiscal agent for the Board in administration of these funds. Prior to awarding any funds, the Board shall require the recipient to agree to perform a period of nursing service in this Commonwealth.
B. The Board shall promulgate regulations for the implementation and administration of the Nurse Loan Repayment Program. Applications for participation in the program shall be accepted from graduates of nursing education programs that prepare them for examination for licensure as a practical nurse or registered nurse or certification as a certified nurse aide, but preference shall be given to graduates of nursing education programs located in the Commonwealth.
C. Any loan repayment amounts repaid by recipients who fail to honor the obligation to perform a period of nursing service in the Commonwealth required by this section, and any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this section and shall not revert to the general fund.
2001, c. 188; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 238.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.6:1. Physician Loan Repayment Program

A. With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board of Health shall establish a physician loan repayment program for graduates of accredited medical schools who have a specialty in the primary care areas of family practice medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology, or who are currently employed in a geriatrics fellowship, and who meet other criteria as determined by the Board. The Commissioner shall act as the fiscal agent for the Board in administration of these funds. Prior to awarding any funds, the Board shall require the recipient to agree to perform a period of medical service in the Commonwealth in a medically underserved area as defined in § 32.1-122.5 or a health professional shortage area designated in accordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5, or, in the case of graduates of accredited medical schools who are currently employed in a geriatrics fellowship, the Board shall require the recipient to agree to perform, at minimum, a two-year period of medical service in the Commonwealth.
B. The Board shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of the Physician Loan Repayment Program. Applications for participation in the program will be accepted from a graduate of any accredited medical school, but preference will be given to graduates of medical schools located in the Commonwealth.
C. Any loan repayment amounts repaid by recipients who fail to honor the obligation to perform a period of medical service in an underserved area or a two-year period as required by this section, and any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this section and shall not revert to the general fund.
1994, c. 111; 2000, c. 926; 2001, c. 188; 2013, c. 255.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.6:02. Conditional grants for certain advanced practice registered nursing students

A. The Board of Health shall establish annual nursing scholarships for students who intend to enter an accredited advanced practice registered nurse program in designated schools. The amounts and numbers of such scholarships shall be determined annually as provided in the appropriation act. The Commissioner shall act as fiscal agent for the Board in administration of the scholarship program through a nursing scholarship committee.
B. To administer the scholarship program, the Board shall promulgate regulations which shall include, but are not limited to:
1. Qualifications of applicants;
2. Criteria for award of the scholarship to assure that a recipient will fulfill the practice obligations established in this section;
3. Standards to assure that these scholarships increase access to primary health care for individuals who are indigent or who are recipients of public assistance;
4. Assurances that residents of Virginia, as determined by § 23.1-502, minority students and residents of medically underserved areas are given preference in determining scholarship eligibility and awards;
5. Assurances that a scholarship recipient will practice as an advanced practice registered nurse in an underserved area of the Commonwealth within two years following completion of training;
6. Designations that students in advanced practice registered nurse specialties, including nurse midwife, receive priority scholarships;
7. Methods for reimbursement to the Commonwealth by a recipient who fails to complete the educational program or who fails to honor the obligation to engage in practice as an advanced practice registered nurse for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received;
8. Procedures for reimbursing any recipient who has repaid the Commonwealth for part or all of any scholarship and who later fulfills the terms of his contract; and
9. Methods for reporting data related to the recipients of the scholarships.
C. Until such time as a fully accredited nurse midwife education program is established at any health science center in the Commonwealth, the Board may designate that attendance at an accredited program in a nearby state is acceptable for scholarship eligibility.
D. For purposes of this section, the term "underserved area" shall include those medically underserved areas designated by the Board pursuant to § 32.1-122.5 and health professional shortage areas designated in accordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5.
E. Any scholarship amounts repaid by recipients pursuant to subdivision B 7, and any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this section and shall not revert to the general fund.
1993, cc. 197, 337; 2000, c. 926; 2001, c. 188; 2023, c. 183.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.7:2. Powers and duties of the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority; exemptions

A. The Authority is authorized to serve as the incorporated consortium of allopathic and osteopathic medical schools in Virginia as required by federal statute to qualify for the receipt of Area Health Education Centers programs, legislatively mandated under the Public Health Service Act as amended, Title VII, Section 751, and 42 U.S.C. § 294a, and to administer federal, state, and local programs as needed to carry out its public purpose and objectives. The Authority is further authorized to exercise independently the powers conferred by this section in furtherance of its corporate and public purposes to benefit citizens and such other persons who might be served by the Authority.
B. The Authority is authorized to monitor, collect, and track data pertaining to health care delivery, training, and education from Virginia educational institutions and other entities as needed to carry out its public purpose and objectives in areas where such data efforts do not already exist.
C. The Authority shall have the authority to assess policies, engage in policy development, and make policy recommendations.
D. The Authority shall have the authority to apply for and accept federal, state, and local public and private grants, loans, appropriations, and donations; hire and compensate staff, including an executive director; rent, lease, buy, own, acquire, and dispose of property, real or personal; participate in joint ventures, including to make contracts and other agreements with public and private entities in order to carry out its public purpose and objectives; and make bylaws for the management and regulation of its affairs.
E. The Authority shall be exempt from the provisions of Chapters 29 (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.) and 43 (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.) of Title 2.2.
F. The exercise of powers granted by this article and the undertaking of activities in the furtherance of the purpose of the Authority shall constitute the performance of essential governmental functions. Therefore, the Authority shall be exempt from any tax or assessment upon any project or property acquired or used by the Authority under the provisions of this article or upon the income therefrom, including sales and use taxes on tangible personal property used in the operation of the Authority. This exemption shall not extend to persons conducting business for which local or state taxes would otherwise be required.
2010, cc. 187, 488.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.8. Board's authority to receive and expend funds

The Board of Health is hereby authorized to apply for, receive, and expend federal and any other available funds for the enhancement of the primary health care system including, but not limited to, any funds designated for any physician loan repayment program, medical scholarships, and area health education centers.
1990, cc. 874, 877.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.9:1. Dentist Loan Repayment Program

A. With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board shall establish a dentist loan repayment program for graduates of accredited dental schools who meet the criteria determined by the Board. The Commissioner shall act as the fiscal agent for the Board in administration of these funds. Prior to awarding any funds, the Board shall require the recipient to agree to perform a period of dental service in this Commonwealth in an underserved area as defined in § 32.1-122.5 or a dental health professional shortage area designated in accordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5. The Board also shall ensure that recipients (i) participate in the Commonwealth's medical assistance services program established pursuant to § 32.1-325 and the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan established pursuant to § 32.1-351, and (ii) do not limit the number of persons enrolled in these programs who are admitted to their dental practice.
B. Applications for participation in the program will be accepted from a graduate of any accredited dental school, but preference will be given to graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Dentistry.
C. Any loan repayment amounts repaid by recipients who fail to honor the obligation to perform a period of dental service in an underserved area as required by this section, and any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this section and shall not revert to the general fund.
2000, cc. 174, 202; 2001, c. 188; 2002, c. 52.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.10. Conditional grants for certain dental hygiene students

A. The Board of Health shall establish annual dental hygiene scholarships for students who intend to enter an accredited dental hygiene program in the Commonwealth. The amounts and numbers of such scholarships shall be determined annually as provided in the appropriation act. The Commissioner shall act as fiscal agent for the Board in administration of the scholarship program.
B. To administer the scholarship program, the Board shall promulgate regulations which shall include, but are not limited to:
1. Qualifications of applicants;
2. Criteria for award of the scholarship to assure that a recipient will fulfill the practice obligations established in this section;
3. Standards to assure that these scholarships increase access to dental hygiene care for individuals who are indigent or who are recipients of public assistance;
4. Assurances that residents of Virginia, as determined by § 23.1-502, students of economically disadvantaged backgrounds and residents of medically underserved areas are given preference in determining scholarship eligibility and awards;
5. Assurances that a scholarship recipient will practice as a dental hygienist in an underserved area of the Commonwealth within two years following completion of training;
6. Methods for reimbursement to the Commonwealth by a recipient who fails to complete the educational program or who fails to honor the obligation to engage in practice as a dental hygienist for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received;
7. Procedures for reimbursing any recipient who has repaid the Commonwealth for part or all of any scholarship and who later fulfills the terms of his contract; and
8. Methods for reporting data related to the recipients of the scholarships.
C. For purposes of this section, the term "underserved area" shall include those underserved areas designated by the Board pursuant to § 32.1-122.5 and dental health professional shortage areas designated in accordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5.
D. Any scholarship amounts repaid by recipients pursuant to subdivision B 6, and any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this section and shall not revert to the general fund.
1994, c. 867; 2000, c. 926; 2001, c. 188.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.10:001. Purpose; one or more localities may create authority; advertisement and notice of hearing

A. Communities lack the ability to coordinate, across jurisdictions, health partnership efforts between local governments and private providers of health care services, which leads to duplicative and inefficient services. Such public/private partnerships could (i) encourage the use of service delivery that otherwise might have required government funding or programs; (ii) allow governments to fully participate in such partnerships; (iii) maximize the willingness of individuals, agencies and private organizations to lend their expertise to help satisfy community needs; (iv) allow innovative funding mechanisms to leverage public funds; (v) allow appropriate information sharing to ensure the adequacy and quality of services delivered; (vi) provide liability protection for volunteers providing services under programs sponsored or approved by the authority; (vii) provide a mechanism to ensure that services provided in the community are necessary, appropriate, and provided by trained and supervised persons; and (viii) allow volunteers and others to focus their energies to achieve community health improvement. Health care services include, but are not limited to, treatment of and education about acute and chronic diseases, wellness and prevention activities that promote the health of communities, and access to services and activities.
B. The governing body of a locality may by ordinance or resolution, or the governing bodies of two or more localities may by concurrent ordinances or resolutions or by agreement, create a local health partnership authority which shall have as its purpose developing partnerships between public and private providers. The ordinance, resolution or agreement creating the authority shall not be adopted or approved until a public hearing has been held on the question of its adoption or approval. The authority shall be a public body politic and corporate.
C. The governing body of each participating locality shall cause to be advertised at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation in such locality a copy of the ordinance, resolution or agreement creating the authority, or a descriptive summary of the ordinance, resolution or agreement and a reference to the place where a copy of such ordinance, resolution or agreement can be obtained, and notice of the day, not less than 30 days after publication of the advertisement, on which a public hearing will be held on the ordinance, resolution or agreement.
D. No authority created pursuant to this article shall be exempt from any of the provisions of the Certificate of Public Need laws and regulations of the Commonwealth.
E. No authority created pursuant to this article shall be allowed to issue bonds or other form of indebtedness.
F. Any authority created pursuant to this article shall report on programmatic initiatives on an annual basis to the Joint Commission on Health Care.
2001, c. 671; 2003, cc. 63, 70.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.10:002. Board of directors; expenses; officers; terms of office; quorum; annual report

A. All powers, rights and duties conferred by this article, or other provisions of law, upon an authority shall be exercised by a board of directors. The participating localities in the local health partnership authority shall determine the composition of the membership of the board. At a minimum, the board shall be composed of one locally elected official, one representative of the health care industry, one representative of the business community, and one representative of the nongovernmental human services agencies from each participating locality if such nongovernmental human services agencies exist; and, sufficient citizen members to constitute the majority of the board, who shall not be employed by, nor board members of, nor financially linked to the partnering agencies, groups and corporations involved.
B. Each member of a board shall serve for a term of four years and may serve no more than two consecutive full terms. The creation of a vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner by the appointing locality, such position being filled for the unexpired term.
C. Members of the board of directors shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties from funds available to the board and according to policy determined by the board.
D. Each board shall elect from its membership a chairman, vice-chairman and secretary/treasurer. The board shall appoint an executive director who shall discharge such functions as may be directed by the board. The authority shall employ such staff as may be appropriate to coordinate the work of the participating organizations in support of programs and services approved by each board. The executive director and staff shall be paid from funds received by the authority.
E. Each board, promptly following the close of the fiscal year, shall submit an annual report of the authority's activities of the preceding year to the governing body of each member locality and to the Joint Commission on Health Care. Each such report shall set forth a complete operating and financial statement covering the operation of the authority during such year.
2001, c. 671; 2003, cc. 63, 70.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.10:004. Powers of the authority

Any authority shall have the following powers:
1. Each authority is vested with the powers of a body corporate, including the power to sue and be sued in its own name, to adopt and use a common seal and to alter the same as may be deemed expedient, to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the authority, and to make, amend or repeal bylaws, rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the authority.
2. To foster and stimulate the cooperative assessment and provision of health care in the community by local governments, private entities and volunteers.
3. To cooperate with local and state health care planning entities, and local, state or federal governments in the discharge of its duties.
4. To solicit and accept grants or donations from local, state or federal governments or any instrumentality thereof, private entities, or any other source, public or private, for or in aid of any project of the authority to provide health services as defined in subsection A of § 32.1-122.10:001.
5. To do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary and convenient to carry out its purposes and powers.
2001, c. 671.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.10:005. Licensed agents; liability

No volunteer of any participating entity who is duly licensed to provide health care services shall be liable for any civil damages for any act or omission resulting from the rendering of such services to a recipient of a program designated by the authority when such services are provided without charge and within the scope of the volunteer's authority to practice and the volunteer delivering such services has no legal or financial interest in the program to which the patient is referred, unless such act or omission was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The provisions of this section shall apply only to noninvasive and minimally invasive procedures limited to finger sticks and injections performed as part of health care services. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to those appropriate volunteers providing care during the time in which such care is rendered free of charge.
2001, c. 671.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 4 - Health Care Planning › § 32.1-122.20. Recruitment and retention of health care providers

The Commissioner shall direct the Commonwealth's activities and programs for recruiting and retaining health care providers for underserved populations, underserved areas, and health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) designated throughout the Commonwealth. The duties and responsibilities of the Commissioner shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Designating and updating as necessary the designation of underserved areas that meet the criteria established by the Board pursuant to § 32.1-122.5;
2. Designating and updating as necessary those areas of the state which meet the criteria of dental, primary care and mental health professional shortage areas as provided in 42 C.F.R. Part 5;
3. Administering the scholarship and loan repayment programs pursuant to Article 6 (§ 32.1-122.5 et seq.) of this chapter as well as any other programs or activities authorized in the appropriation act for recruiting and retaining providers for the Commonwealth's underserved populations, underserved areas and HPSAs;
4. Recruiting health care providers, residents, and students in Virginia and other states to care for Virginia's underserved populations and practice in underserved areas and HPSAs throughout the Commonwealth;
5. Publicizing the functions, programs, and activities of the Department available to assist providers in establishing a practice in underserved areas and HPSAs throughout the Commonwealth;
6. Coordinating the Department's health workforce activities with other state agencies as well as public and private entities in Virginia involved in health workforce training, recruitment, and retention; and
7. Identifying and recommending to the Governor and the General Assembly new programs, activities, and strategies for increasing the number of providers practicing in Virginia's underserved areas and HPSAs and serving Virginia's underserved populations.
2000, cc. 175, 200; 2011, c. 37.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 5 - Regulation of Medical Care Facilities and Services › § 32.1-124. Exemptions

The provisions of §§ 32.1-123 through 32.1-136 shall not be applicable to: (i) a dispensary or first-aid facility maintained by any commercial or industrial plant, educational institution or convent; (ii) an institution licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; (iii) an institution or portion thereof licensed by the State Board of Social Services; (iv) a hospital or nursing home owned or operated by an agency of the United States government; (v) an office of one or more physicians or surgeons unless such office is used principally for performing surgery; and (vi) a hospital or nursing home, as defined in § 32.1-123, owned or operated by an agency of the Commonwealth unless such hospital or nursing home or portion thereof is certified as a nursing facility pursuant to § 32.1-137.
Code 1950, § 32-298; 1964, c. 54; 1973, c. 477; 1979, c. 711; 1989, c. 618; 2009, cc. 813, 840.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 5 - Regulation of Medical Care Facilities and Services › § 32.1-125. Establishment or operation of hospitals and nursing homes prohibited without license or certification; licenses not transferable

A. No person shall own, establish, conduct, maintain, manage or operate in this Commonwealth any hospital or nursing home unless such hospital or nursing home is licensed or certified as provided in this article.
B. No license issued hereunder shall be assignable or transferable.
Code 1950, § 32-299; 1979, c. 711; 1989, c. 618.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 5 - Regulation of Medical Care Facilities and Services › § 32.1-125.01. Failing to report; penalty

Any hospital or nursing home that has not paid civil penalties assessed for failing to report pursuant to § 54.1-2400.6 shall not be issued a license or certification or a renewal of such.
2003, cc. 753, 762; 2004, c. 64.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 5 - Regulation of Medical Care Facilities and Services › § 32.1-125.1. Inspection of hospitals by state agencies generally

As used in this section unless the context requires a different meaning, "hospital" means a hospital as defined in § 32.1-123 or 37.2-100.
State agencies shall make or cause to be made only such inspections of hospitals as are necessary to carry out the various obligations imposed on each agency by applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Any on-site inspection by a state agency or a division or unit thereof that substantially complies with the inspection requirements of any other state agency or any other division or unit of the inspecting agency charged with making similar inspections shall be accepted as an equivalent inspection in lieu of an on-site inspection by said agency or by a division or unit of the inspecting agency. A state agency shall coordinate its hospital inspections both internally and with those required by other state agencies so as to ensure that the requirements of this section are met. No hospital shall receive additional inspections until all other licensed hospitals in the Commonwealth have also been inspected, unless the additional inspections are (i) necessary to follow up on a preoperational inspection or one or more violations, (ii) required by a uniformly applied risk-based schedule established by the Department, (iii) necessary to investigate a complaint regarding the hospital, or (iv) otherwise deemed necessary by the Commissioner or his designee to protect the health and safety of the public.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all hospitals licensed by the Department of Health or Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services that have been certified under the provisions of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act for hospital or psychiatric services or that have obtained accreditation from a national accrediting organization granted authority by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure compliance with Medicare conditions of participation pursuant to § 1865 of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395bb) may be subject to inspections so long as such certification or accreditation is maintained but only to the extent necessary to ensure the public health and safety.
Code 1950, § 32-300.1; 1979, c. 220; 1989, c. 618; 2009, cc. 813, 840; 2014, c. 320; 2017, c. 465.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 5 - Regulation of Medical Care Facilities and Services › § 32.1-125.2. Disclosure of other providers of services

A. 1. Any hospital which has, or is affiliated with or under the common control of a holding company that has, a financial interest in a facility or entity that engages in the provision of health-related outpatient services, appliances or devices of which a patient is in need, or any employee or volunteer associated with such hospital, shall, prior to referring the patient to such type of a facility or entity, provide the patient or his representative with a notice stating in bold print that the services, appliances or devices may be available from other suppliers in the community.
2. As used in this section, "representative" means any member of the immediate family of the patient or any other person acting on his behalf and who is not a health care provider or other person who may profit from such referral.
B. The Attorney General, an attorney for the Commonwealth, the attorney for a city, county or town or any aggrieved patient may cause an action to be brought in the appropriate circuit court in the name of the Commonwealth, of the county, city or town, or of any aggrieved patient, to enjoin any violation of this section. The circuit court having jurisdiction may enjoin such violations, notwithstanding the existence of an adequate remedy at law. When an injunction is issued, the circuit court shall impose a civil fine to be paid to the Literary Fund not to exceed $1,000. In any action under this section, it shall not be necessary that damages be proved.
1988, c. 252.