Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Virginia Department of Health
 
Board
State Board of Health
 
Guidance Document Change: This policy outlines the procedure for means testing of owners who petition the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for onsite sewage and private well evaluation and design services pursuant to § 32.1-248.4 of the Code of Virginia (the Code). This policy also establishes Hardship Guidelines whereby VDH may serve as a provider of last resort for onsite sewage and private well evaluation and design services pursuant to § 32.1-248.4 of the Code.
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7/10/19  9:19 pm
Commenter: Joel S. Pinnix, PE

Policy v Regulation
 

A review of 32.1-248.4.A.4 provides enabling authority to the Department to develop "hardship" guidelines.  There is no clear definition or legal term identified as "guidelines" with the statutory or regulatory framework.  Generally speaking, a "guideline" is a "rule" (see 32.1-127.01 as an example)

VDH's course of action, to develop this rule through policy, is contrary to legal authority under 32.1-2.2 et seq.

The hardship guidelines should clearly be part of, and included within, a REGULATION - either an existing regulation or a newly created regulation duly promulgated by the BOARD of HEALTH following the full Administrative Process Act.

VDH cannot regulate by policy. Policy is uninforceable as law. 

 

 

CommentID: 73461