{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/32.1-125.5.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/32.1-125.5.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/32.1-125.5.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/32.1-125.5.html"}],"law_id":70129,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70129,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-125.5","catch_line":"Confidentiality of complainant&#8217;s identity","history":"2003, c. 309.","full_text":"Whenever the Department conducts inspections and investigations in response to complaints received from the public, the identity of the complainant and the identity of any patient who is the subject of the complaint, or identified therein, shall be treated as confidential and shall not be open to inspection by members of the public. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Department, in its discretion, from disclosing to the hospital the nature of the complaint or the identity of the patient who is the subject of the complaint. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Department or its employees from making reports under \u00a7 63.2-1509 or Article 2 (\u00a7 63.2-1603 et seq.) of Chapter 16 of Title 63.2. If the Department intends to rely, in whole or in part, on any statements made by the complainant, at any administrative hearing brought against the hospital, the Department shall disclose the identity of the complainant to the hospital in a reasonable time in advance of such hearing.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":253225,"text":"Whenever the Department conducts inspections and investigations in response to complaints received from the public, the identity of the complainant and the identity of any patient who is the subject of the complaint, or identified therein, shall be treated as confidential and shall not be open to inspection by members of the public. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Department, in its discretion, from disclosing to the hospital the nature of the complaint or the identity of the patient who is the subject of the complaint. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Department or its employees from making reports under \u00a7 63.2-1509 or Article 2 (\u00a7 63.2-1603 et seq.) of Chapter 16 of Title 63.2. If the Department intends to rely, in whole or in part, on any statements made by the complainant, at any administrative hearing brought against the hospital, the Department shall disclose the identity of the complainant to the hospital in a reasonable time in advance of such hearing.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":12729,"edition_id":1,"name":"Hospital and Nursing Home Licensure and Inspection","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12728,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":202857,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12729,"identifier":"1","token":"32.1\/5\/1","url":"\/32.1\/5\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12728,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Medical Care Facilities and Services","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12727,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":202855,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12728,"identifier":"5","token":"32.1\/5","url":"\/32.1\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12727,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health","identifier":"32.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":201099,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12727,"identifier":"32.1","token":"32.1","url":"\/32.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":80727,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-123","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Definitions","url":"\/32.1-123\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-123","metadata":false},{"id":75042,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-124","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/32.1-124\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-124","metadata":false},{"id":58545,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-125","catch_line":"Establishment or operation of hospitals and nursing homes prohibited without license or certification; licenses not transferable","url":"\/32.1-125\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-125","metadata":false},{"id":63548,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-125.01","catch_line":"Failing to report; penalty","url":"\/32.1-125.01\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-125.01","metadata":false},{"id":59071,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-125.1","catch_line":"Inspection of hospitals by state agencies generally","url":"\/32.1-125.1\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-125.1","metadata":false},{"id":78537,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-125.2","catch_line":"Disclosure of other providers of services","url":"\/32.1-125.2\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-125.2","metadata":false},{"id":58917,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-125.3","catch_line":"Bed capacity and licensure in hospitals designated as critical access hospitals; designation as rural hospital","url":"\/32.1-125.3\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-125.3","metadata":false},{"id":55275,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-125.4","catch_line":"Retaliation or discrimination against complainants","url":"\/32.1-125.4\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-125.4","metadata":false},{"id":70129,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-125.5","catch_line":"Confidentiality of complainant's identity","url":"\/32.1-125.5\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-125.5","metadata":false},{"id":60850,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-126","catch_line":"Commissioner to inspect and to issue licenses to or assure compliance with certification requirements for hospitals, nursing homes, and certified nursing facilities; notice of denial of license; consultative advice and assistance; notice to electric utilities","url":"\/32.1-126\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-126","metadata":false},{"id":77692,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-126.01","catch_line":"Employment for compensation of persons convicted of barrier crimes prohibited; criminal records check required; suspension or revocation of license","url":"\/32.1-126.01\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-126.01","metadata":false},{"id":57301,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-126.02","catch_line":"Hospital pharmacy employees; criminal records check required","url":"\/32.1-126.02\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-126.02","metadata":false},{"id":71970,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-126.1","catch_line":"Asbestos inspection for hospitals","url":"\/32.1-126.1\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-126.1","metadata":false},{"id":65858,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-126.2","catch_line":"Fire suppression systems required in nursing facilities and nursing homes","url":"\/32.1-126.2\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-126.2","metadata":false},{"id":83484,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-126.3","catch_line":"Fire suppression systems required in hospitals","url":"\/32.1-126.3\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-126.3","metadata":false},{"id":70496,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-126.4","catch_line":"Hospital standing orders or protocols for certain vaccinations","url":"\/32.1-126.4\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-126.4","metadata":false},{"id":73579,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-126.5","catch_line":"Consolidation of inspections","url":"\/32.1-126.5\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-126.5","metadata":false},{"id":85883,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Regulations","url":"\/32.1-127\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127","metadata":false},{"id":71680,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127.001","catch_line":"Certain design and construction standards to be incorporated in hospital and nursing home licensure regulations","url":"\/32.1-127.001\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127.001","metadata":false},{"id":63277,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127.01","catch_line":"Regulations to authorize certain disciplinary actions and guidelines","url":"\/32.1-127.01\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127.01","metadata":false},{"id":71135,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127.1","catch_line":"Immunity from liability for routine referral for organ and tissue donation","url":"\/32.1-127.1\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127.1","metadata":false},{"id":81314,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127.1:01","catch_line":"Record storage","url":"\/32.1-127.1_01\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127.1_01","metadata":false},{"id":56243,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127.1:02","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/32.1-127.1_02\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127.1_02","metadata":false},{"id":58930,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127.1:03","catch_line":"Health records privacy","url":"\/32.1-127.1_03\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127.1_03","metadata":false},{"id":84892,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127.1:04","catch_line":"Use or disclosure of certain protected health information required","url":"\/32.1-127.1_04\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127.1_04","metadata":false},{"id":78997,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127.1:05","catch_line":"Breach of medical information notification","url":"\/32.1-127.1_05\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127.1_05","metadata":false},{"id":55917,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/32.1-127.2\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127.2","metadata":false},{"id":77664,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-127.3","catch_line":"Immunity from liability for certain free health care services","url":"\/32.1-127.3\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-127.3","metadata":false},{"id":59266,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-128","catch_line":"Applicability to hospitals and nursing homes for practice of religious tenets","url":"\/32.1-128\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-128","metadata":false},{"id":70347,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-129","catch_line":"Application for license","url":"\/32.1-129\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-129","metadata":false},{"id":54055,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-130","catch_line":"Fees; Hospital and Nursing Home Licensure and Inspection Program Fund","url":"\/32.1-130\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-130","metadata":false},{"id":76878,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-131","catch_line":"Expiration and renewal of licenses","url":"\/32.1-131\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-131","metadata":false},{"id":83021,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-132","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2028) Alterations or additions to hospitals and nursing homes; when new license required; use of inpatient hospital beds for furnishing skilled care services","url":"\/32.1-132\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-132","metadata":false},{"id":81019,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-133","catch_line":"Display of license","url":"\/32.1-133\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-133","metadata":false},{"id":82010,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-133.1","catch_line":"Human trafficking hotline; posted notice required; civil penalty","url":"\/32.1-133.1\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-133.1","metadata":false},{"id":76056,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-134","catch_line":"Family planning information in hospitals providing maternity care","url":"\/32.1-134\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-134","metadata":false},{"id":73607,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-134.01","catch_line":"Certain information required for maternity patients","url":"\/32.1-134.01\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-134.01","metadata":false},{"id":87288,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-134.02","catch_line":"Infants; blood sample provided to parents","url":"\/32.1-134.02\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-134.02","metadata":false},{"id":70187,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-134.03","catch_line":"Maternal health; protocols and resources for hospitals and outpatient providers; report","url":"\/32.1-134.03\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-134.03","metadata":false},{"id":65119,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-134.1","catch_line":"When denial, etc., to duly licensed physician of staff membership or professional privileges improper","url":"\/32.1-134.1\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-134.1","metadata":false},{"id":71090,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-134.2","catch_line":"Clinical privileges for certain practitioners","url":"\/32.1-134.2\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-134.2","metadata":false},{"id":68078,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-134.3","catch_line":"Response to applications for clinical privileges","url":"\/32.1-134.3\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-134.3","metadata":false},{"id":55369,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-134.4","catch_line":"Right of podiatrists or advanced practice registered nurses to injunction","url":"\/32.1-134.4\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-134.4","metadata":false},{"id":75670,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-135","catch_line":"Revocation or suspension of license or certification of hospital or certified nursing facility; restriction or prohibition of new admissions to certified nursing facility","url":"\/32.1-135\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-135","metadata":false},{"id":77485,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-135.1","catch_line":"Certain advertisements prohibited","url":"\/32.1-135.1\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-135.1","metadata":false},{"id":83084,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-135.2","catch_line":"Offer or payment of remuneration in exchange for referral prohibited","url":"\/32.1-135.2\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-135.2","metadata":false},{"id":53943,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-136","catch_line":"Violation; penalties","url":"\/32.1-136\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-136","metadata":false},{"id":68332,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137","catch_line":"Certification of medical care facilities under Title XVIII of Social Security Act","url":"\/32.1-137\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137","metadata":false},{"id":59084,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.01","catch_line":"Posting of charity care policies","url":"\/32.1-137.01\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.01","metadata":false},{"id":76816,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.010","catch_line":"Financial assistance; payment plans","url":"\/32.1-137.010\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.010","metadata":false},{"id":75514,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.011","catch_line":"Childbirth; postpartum process; doulas","url":"\/32.1-137.011\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.011","metadata":false},{"id":65869,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.02","catch_line":"Hospital discharge procedures","url":"\/32.1-137.02\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.02","metadata":false},{"id":65455,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.03","catch_line":"Discharge planning; designation of individual to provide care","url":"\/32.1-137.03\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.03","metadata":false},{"id":79498,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.04","catch_line":"Patient notice of observation or outpatient status","url":"\/32.1-137.04\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.04","metadata":false},{"id":60024,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.05","catch_line":"Information regarding standard charges; advance estimate of patient payment amount for elective procedure, test, or service","url":"\/32.1-137.05\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.05","metadata":false},{"id":65804,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.06","catch_line":"Lyme disease test result information","url":"\/32.1-137.06\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.06","metadata":false},{"id":61126,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.07","catch_line":"Violations of certain provisions; penalty","url":"\/32.1-137.07\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.07","metadata":false},{"id":81633,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.08","catch_line":"Medical care facilities; persons with disabilities; designated support persons","url":"\/32.1-137.08\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.08","metadata":false},{"id":80169,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-137.09","catch_line":"Hospital emergency department CPT code data reporting","url":"\/32.1-137.09\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-137.09","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":55275,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-125.4","catch_line":"Retaliation or discrimination against complainants","url":"\/32.1-125.4\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-125.4","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":60850,"structure_id":12729,"section_number":"32.1-126","catch_line":"Commissioner to inspect and to issue licenses to or assure compliance with certification requirements for hospitals, nursing homes, and certified nursing facilities; notice of denial of license; consultative advice and assistance; notice to electric utilities","url":"\/32.1-126\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-126","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/32.1-125.5\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2003. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0309\">309<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":86098,"section_number":"63.2-1509","catch_line":"Requirement that certain injuries to children be reported by physicians, nurses, teachers, etc.; penalty for failure to report","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1509\/"},{"id":61453,"section_number":"63.2-1603","catch_line":"Protection of adults; definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1603\/"}],"permalink":{"id":202891,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70129,"identifier":"32.1-125.5","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-125.5","url":"\/32.1-125.5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/32.1-125.5\/","token":"32.1\/5\/1\/32.1-125.5","dublin_core":{"Title":"Confidentiality of complainant&#8217;s identity","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 32.1-125.5","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Whenever the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> conducts <span class=\"dictionary\">inspections<\/span> and investigations in response to complaints received from the public, the identity of the complainant and the identity of any patient who is the subject of the complaint, or identified therein, shall be treated as confidential and shall not be open to <span class=\"dictionary\">inspection<\/span> by members of the public. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span>, in its discretion, from disclosing to the <span class=\"dictionary\">hospital<\/span> the nature of the complaint or the identity of the patient who is the subject of the complaint. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> or its employees from making reports under \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Requirement that certain injuries to children be reported by physicians, nurses, teachers, etc.; penalty for failure to report\" href=\"\/63.2-1509\/\">63.2-1509<\/a> or Article 2 (\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Protection of adults; definitions\" href=\"\/63.2-1603\/\">63.2-1603<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 16 of Title 63.2. If the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> intends to rely, in whole or in part, on any statements made by the complainant, at any administrative <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span> brought against the <span class=\"dictionary\">hospital<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall disclose the identity of the complainant to the <span class=\"dictionary\">hospital<\/span> in a reasonable time in advance of such <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONFIDENTIALITY OF COMPLAINANT&#8217;S IDENTITY (\u00a7 32.1-125.5)\n\nWhenever the Department conducts inspections and investigations in response to\ncomplaints received from the public, the identity of the complainant and the\nidentity of any patient who is the subject of the complaint, or identified\ntherein, shall be treated as confidential and shall not be open to inspection by\nmembers of the public. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Department, in\nits discretion, from disclosing to the hospital the nature of the complaint or\nthe identity of the patient who is the subject of the complaint. Nothing\ncontained herein shall prevent the Department or its employees from making\nreports under \u00a7 63.2-1509 or Article 2 (\u00a7 63.2-1603 et seq.) of Chapter 16 of\nTitle 63.2. If the Department intends to rely, in whole or in part, on any\nstatements made by the complainant, at any administrative hearing brought\nagainst the hospital, the Department shall disclose the identity of the\ncomplainant to the hospital in a reasonable time in advance of such hearing.\n\nHISTORY: 2003, c. 309.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}