HB829: Group homes; license application, notice to locality.

HOUSE BILL NO. 829

Offered January 8, 2020
Prefiled January 7, 2020
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 37.2-406.1, relating to group homes; license application; notice.
Patron-- Sullivan

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 37.2-406.1 as follows:

§ 37.2-406.1. Conditions for initial licensure of group homes; notice.

All applicants for licensure as a group home shall provide notice to (i) the local governing body of the locality where the group home is proposed to be located, (ii) the general public, through publication of a notice in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the locality where the group home is proposed to be located, and (iii) all residential occupants within one-half mile of the proposed location of the group home. Such notice shall include a statement of intent to operate a group home and the address of the proposed location of the group home.

The Department shall establish and maintain a process through which local governing bodies and members of the general public may submit comments regarding the proposed location of the group home. The Commissioner shall consider all comments received within 30 days of the notice publication and shall not grant any application for licensure as a group home until the requirements of this section have been met.

For purposes of this section, "group home" means a congregate service providing 24-hour supervision in a community-based home having eight or fewer residents with mental illness, intellectual disability, or developmental disabilities.