{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/51.5-112.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/51.5-112.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/51.5-112.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/51.5-112.html"}],"law_id":64180,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64180,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-112","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Department","history":"1972, c. 543, \u00a7 63.1-85.4; 1977, c. 668; 1983, c. 440; 1984, cc. 670, 734; 1988, c. 93; 1996, c. 471; 2002, c. 747.","full_text":"The Department shall have the following powers and duties:\n\n1\n\nTo develop a program to inform persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and the public of opportunities available for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to fulfill their needs and solve certain problems through existing state and local services and to make available such other information as would be of value to families, professionals and other citizens working or involved in the deafness field;2\n\nTo promote a framework for consultation and cooperation among the state agencies and institutions serving persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing;3\n\nTo aid in the provision of technical assistance and training within the Commonwealth in order to support efforts to initiate or improve programs and services for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing;4\n\nTo evaluate state programs that deliver services to persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to determine their effectiveness and to make recommendations to the appropriate government officials concerning the future financial support and continuation of such programs and the establishment of the new ones;5\n\nTo monitor state programs delivering services to persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to determine the extent to which services promised or mandated are delivered;6\n\nTo make appropriate recommendations for legislative changes to the Governor and General Assembly and to follow and evaluate federal legislation having a potential impact upon persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing who live in the Commonwealth;7\n\nTo cooperate with schools for the deaf as provided in Chapter 19 (§ 22.1-346 et seq.) of Title 22.1 insofar as may be practicable;8\n\nTo operate a program of technology assistance and services to encourage independence of persons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech impaired, including the distribution of devices for the deaf and support of message relay services, through grants, contracts and other means, including a sliding fee scale where appropriate; and9\n\nTo adopt such regulations, consistent with this chapter, as may be necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter and other laws of the Commonwealth administered by the Director or the Department. Such regulations shall be binding on all officers, agents, and employees engaged in implementing the provisions of this chapter.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":233648,"text":"The Department shall have the following powers and duties:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":233649,"text":"To develop a program to inform persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and the public of opportunities available for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to fulfill their needs and solve certain problems through existing state and local services and to make available such other information as would be of value to families, professionals and other citizens working or involved in the deafness field;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":233650,"text":"To promote a framework for consultation and cooperation among the state agencies and institutions serving persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":233651,"text":"To aid in the provision of technical assistance and training within the Commonwealth in order to support efforts to initiate or improve programs and services for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":233652,"text":"To evaluate state programs that deliver services to persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to determine their effectiveness and to make recommendations to the appropriate government officials concerning the future financial support and continuation of such programs and the establishment of the new ones;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":233653,"text":"To monitor state programs delivering services to persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to determine the extent to which services promised or mandated are delivered;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":233654,"text":"To make appropriate recommendations for legislative changes to the Governor and General Assembly and to follow and evaluate federal legislation having a potential impact upon persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing who live in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":233655,"text":"To cooperate with schools for the deaf as provided in Chapter 19 (§ 22.1-346 et seq.) of Title 22.1 insofar as may be practicable;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":233656,"text":"To operate a program of technology assistance and services to encourage independence of persons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech impaired, including the distribution of devices for the deaf and support of message relay services, through grants, contracts and other means, including a sliding fee scale where appropriate; and","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":233657,"text":"To adopt such regulations, consistent with this chapter, as may be necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter and other laws of the Commonwealth administered by the Director or the Department. Such regulations shall be binding on all officers, agents, and employees engaged in implementing the provisions of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8"}},"ancestry":[{"id":16154,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department for the Deaf and Hard-Of-Hearing","identifier":"13","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12761,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:07:33","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:07:33","permalink":{"id":236637,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16154,"identifier":"13","token":"51.5\/13","url":"\/51.5\/13\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12761,"edition_id":1,"name":"Persons With Disabilities","identifier":"51.5","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":236393,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12761,"identifier":"51.5","token":"51.5","url":"\/51.5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":64476,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-106","catch_line":"Board established; appointment, terms and qualifications of members; meetings; chairman","url":"\/51.5-106\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-106","metadata":false},{"id":70424,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-107","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Board","url":"\/51.5-107\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-107","metadata":false},{"id":69098,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-108","catch_line":"Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing continued","url":"\/51.5-108\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-108","metadata":false},{"id":84502,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-109","catch_line":"Director; appointment; compensation; qualifications","url":"\/51.5-109\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-109","metadata":false},{"id":85028,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-110","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Director","url":"\/51.5-110\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-110","metadata":false},{"id":75420,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-111","catch_line":"Persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing defined and categorized","url":"\/51.5-111\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-111","metadata":false},{"id":64180,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-112","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Department","url":"\/51.5-112\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-112","metadata":false},{"id":78530,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-113","catch_line":"Statewide interpreter service","url":"\/51.5-113\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-113","metadata":false},{"id":70098,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-114","catch_line":"Gifts and donations; disposition of moneys received","url":"\/51.5-114\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-114","metadata":false},{"id":83268,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-115","catch_line":"Telecommunications relay service; standards; funding","url":"\/51.5-115\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-115","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":75420,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-111","catch_line":"Persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing defined and categorized","url":"\/51.5-111\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-111","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":78530,"structure_id":16154,"section_number":"51.5-113","catch_line":"Statewide interpreter service","url":"\/51.5-113\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-113","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/51.5-112\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1972. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 543 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. Unfortunately, the 1972 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1977, chapter 668; in 1983, chapter 440; in 1984, chapters 670 and 734; in 1988, chapter 93; in 1996, chapter 471<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":81369,"section_number":"22.1-346","catch_line":"Transfer of property; rights and duties of the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind; supervision of school; appointment and removal of officers and faculty; certain funding initiatives","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-346\/"}],"permalink":{"id":236663,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64180,"identifier":"51.5-112","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-112","url":"\/51.5-112\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/51.5-112\/","token":"51.5\/13\/51.5-112","dublin_core":{"Title":"Powers and duties of Department","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 51.5-112","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Department shall have the following powers and duties:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To develop a program to inform persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing<\/span> and the public of opportunities available for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing<\/span> to fulfill their needs and solve certain problems through existing state and local services and to make available such other information as would be of value to families, professionals and other citizens working or involved in the deafness field; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To promote a framework for consultation and cooperation among the state agencies and institutions serving persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> To aid in the provision of technical assistance and training within the Commonwealth in order<\/span> to support efforts to initiate or improve programs and services for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To evaluate state programs that deliver services to persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing<\/span> to determine their effectiveness and to make recommendations to the appropriate government officials concerning the future financial support and continuation of such programs and the establishment of the new ones; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> To monitor state programs delivering services to persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing<\/span> to determine the extent to which services promised or mandated are delivered; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> To make appropriate recommendations for legislative changes to the Governor and General Assembly and to follow and evaluate federal legislation having a potential impact upon persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing<\/span> who live in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> To cooperate with schools for the deaf as provided in Chapter 19 (§ 22.1-346<\/a> et seq.) of Title 22.1 insofar as may be practicable; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> To operate a program of technology assistance and services to encourage independence of persons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing<\/span>, or speech impaired, including the distribution of devices for the deaf and support of message relay services, through grants, contracts<\/span> and other means, including a sliding fee scale where appropriate; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> To adopt such regulations, consistent with this chapter, as may be necessary to carry out the purpose and intent<\/span> of this chapter and other laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth administered by the Director or the Department. Such regulations shall be binding on all officers, agents, and employees engaged in implementing the provisions of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT (\u00a7 51.5-112)\n\nThe Department shall have the following powers and duties:\n\n1. To develop a program to inform persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and\nthe public of opportunities available for persons who are deaf or\nhard-of-hearing to fulfill their needs and solve certain problems through\nexisting state and local services and to make available such other information\nas would be of value to families, professionals and other citizens working or\ninvolved in the deafness field;\n\n2. To promote a framework for consultation and cooperation among the state\nagencies and institutions serving persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing;\n\n3. To aid in the provision of technical assistance and training within the\nCommonwealth in order to support efforts to initiate or improve programs and\nservices for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing;\n\n4. To evaluate state programs that deliver services to persons who are deaf or\nhard-of-hearing to determine their effectiveness and to make recommendations to\nthe appropriate government officials concerning the future financial support and\ncontinuation of such programs and the establishment of the new ones;\n\n5. To monitor state programs delivering services to persons who are deaf or\nhard-of-hearing to determine the extent to which services promised or mandated\nare delivered;\n\n6. To make appropriate recommendations for legislative changes to the Governor\nand General Assembly and to follow and evaluate federal legislation having a\npotential impact upon persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing who live in the\nCommonwealth;\n\n7. To cooperate with schools for the deaf as provided in Chapter 19 (§\n22.1-346 et seq.) of Title 22.1 insofar as may be practicable;\n\n8. To operate a program of technology assistance and services to encourage\nindependence of persons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech impaired,\nincluding the distribution of devices for the deaf and support of message relay\nservices, through grants, contracts and other means, including a sliding fee\nscale where appropriate; and\n\n9. To adopt such regulations, consistent with this chapter, as may be necessary\nto carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter and other laws of the\nCommonwealth administered by the Director or the Department. Such regulations\nshall be binding on all officers, agents, and employees engaged in implementing\nthe provisions of this chapter.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 543, \u00a7 63.1-85.4; 1977, c. 668; 1983, c. 440; 1984, cc. 670,\n734; 1988, c. 93; 1996, c. 471; 2002, c. 747.","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}}