The Virginia State Board of Social Services voted to approve the new comprehensive standards for licensed assisted living facilities at its February 15 meeting.  The regulations now await final signature by Gov. Terry McAuliffe.  It is uncertain when he will finalize the regulations because of his obligations to review bills passed by the General Assembly.  The regulatory action repeals the existing regulation, 22 VAC 40-72, and establishes a comprehensive new regulation, 22 VAC 40-73.  The changes cover a wide breadth of ALF operations.

Highlights of the regulatory changes include:

• Increases in training hours for staff working in facilities with mixed population.
• A requirement to complete fall risk assessments with the initial Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and repeated at least annually.
• Required minimum number of hours offered for activity programming.
• Development of an enhanced infection control program.
• For special care units with more than 20 residents: for every additional 10 residents, or portion thereof, there shall be at least one more direct care staff member awake and on duty in the unit.

Click here to see the changes in their entirety.

In the coming days VHCA-VCAL staff will be analyzing the regulatory language in detail.  We will prepare resources for you to help you implement the new changes.  Please email April Payne or call her at 804.212.1698 with any questions about the regulations.