{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-1737.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-1737.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-1737.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-1737.html"}],"law_id":67518,"edition_id":1,"section_id":67518,"structure_id":13304,"section_number":"63.2-1737","catch_line":"Licensure of group homes and residential facilities for children","history":"1979, c. 218, \u00a7 63.1-196.4; 1984, c. 55; 1987, c. 578; 1992, c. 666; 2002, c. 747; 2005, cc. 358, 471; 2006, cc. 168, 781; 2008, c. 873; 2010, c. 551; 2015, c. 366; 2018, c. 274; 2019, c. 449.","full_text":"A\n\nNotwithstanding any other provisions of this subtitle, the Department shall cooperate with other state departments in fulfilling their respective licensing and certification responsibilities of children’s residential facilities. The Board shall adopt regulations establishing the Department as the single licensing agency for the regulation of children’s residential facilities, including group homes, which provide social services programs, with the exception of educational programs licensed by the Department of Education and facilities regulated by the Department of Juvenile Justice. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, licenses issued to children’s residential facilities may be issued for periods of up to 36 successive months.B\n\nThe Board’s regulations for the regulation of children’s residential facilities shall address the services required to be provided in such facilities as it may deem appropriate to ensure the health and safety of the children. In addition, the Board’s regulations shall include, but shall not be limited to (i) specifications for the structure and accommodations of such facilities according to the needs of the children; (ii) rules concerning allowable activities, local government- and facility-imposed curfews, and study, recreational, and bedtime hours; and (iii) a requirement that each facility have a community liaison who shall be responsible for facilitating cooperative relationships with the neighbors, the school system, local law enforcement, local government officials, and the community at large.C\n\nNotwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any facility licensed by the Commissioner as a child-caring institution as of January 1, 1987, and that receives no public funds shall be licensed under minimum standards for licensed child-caring institutions as adopted by the Board and in effect on January 1, 1987. Effective January 1, 1987, all children’s residential facilities shall be licensed under the regulations for children’s residential facilities.D\n\nIn addition to the requirements set forth in subsection B, the Board’s regulations shall require, as a condition of initial licensure or, if appropriate, license renewal, that the applicant shall (i) be personally interviewed by Department personnel to determine the qualifications of the owner or operator before granting an initial license; (ii) provide evidence of having relevant prior experience before any initial license is granted; (iii) provide, as a condition of initial license or renewal licensure, evidence of staff participation in training on appropriate siting of the residential facilities for children, good neighbor policies, community relations, and shaken baby syndrome and its effects; and (iv) be required to screen residents prior to admission to exclude individuals with behavioral issues, such as histories of violence, that cannot be managed in the relevant residential facility.E\n\nIn addition, the Department shall:1\n\nNotify relevant local governments and placing and funding agencies, including the Office of Children’s Services, of multiple health and safety or human rights violations in residential facilities for which the Department serves as lead licensure agency when such violations result in the lowering of the licensure status of the facility to provisional;2\n\nPost on the Department’s website information concerning the application for initial licensure of or renewal, denial, or provisional licensure of any residential facility for children located in the locality;3\n\nRequire all licensees to self-report lawsuits against or settlements with residential facility operators relating to the health and safety or human rights of residents and any criminal charges that may have been made relating to the health and safety or human rights of residents;4\n\nRequire proof of contractual agreements or staff expertise to provide educational services, counseling services, psychological services, medical services, or any other services needed to serve the residents in accordance with the facility’s operational plan;5\n\nDisseminate to local governments, or post on the Department’s website, an accurate (updated weekly or monthly as necessary) list of licensed and operating group homes and other residential facilities for children by locality with information on services and identification of the lead licensure agency; and6\n\nModify the term of the license at any time during the term of the license based on a change in compliance.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":244634,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subtitle, the Department shall cooperate with other state departments in fulfilling their respective licensing and certification responsibilities of children’s residential facilities. The Board shall adopt regulations establishing the Department as the single licensing agency for the regulation of children’s residential facilities, including group homes, which provide social services programs, with the exception of educational programs licensed by the Department of Education and facilities regulated by the Department of Juvenile Justice. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, licenses issued to children’s residential facilities may be issued for periods of up to 36 successive months.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":244635,"text":"The Board’s regulations for the regulation of children’s residential facilities shall address the services required to be provided in such facilities as it may deem appropriate to ensure the health and safety of the children. In addition, the Board’s regulations shall include, but shall not be limited to (i) specifications for the structure and accommodations of such facilities according to the needs of the children; (ii) rules concerning allowable activities, local government- and facility-imposed curfews, and study, recreational, and bedtime hours; and (iii) a requirement that each facility have a community liaison who shall be responsible for facilitating cooperative relationships with the neighbors, the school system, local law enforcement, local government officials, and the community at large.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":244636,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any facility licensed by the Commissioner as a child-caring institution as of January 1, 1987, and that receives no public funds shall be licensed under minimum standards for licensed child-caring institutions as adopted by the Board and in effect on January 1, 1987. Effective January 1, 1987, all children’s residential facilities shall be licensed under the regulations for children’s residential facilities.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":244637,"text":"In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection B, the Board’s regulations shall require, as a condition of initial licensure or, if appropriate, license renewal, that the applicant shall (i) be personally interviewed by Department personnel to determine the qualifications of the owner or operator before granting an initial license; (ii) provide evidence of having relevant prior experience before any initial license is granted; (iii) provide, as a condition of initial license or renewal licensure, evidence of staff participation in training on appropriate siting of the residential facilities for children, good neighbor policies, community relations, and shaken baby syndrome and its effects; and (iv) be required to screen residents prior to admission to exclude individuals with behavioral issues, such as histories of violence, that cannot be managed in the relevant residential facility.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":244638,"text":"In addition, the Department shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"E1"},"5":{"id":244639,"text":"Notify relevant local governments and placing and funding agencies, including the Office of Children’s Services, of multiple health and safety or human rights violations in residential facilities for which the Department serves as lead licensure agency when such violations result in the lowering of the licensure status of the facility to provisional;","type":"section","prefixes":["E","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"E1","prefix_anchor":"E1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"E2"},"6":{"id":244640,"text":"Post on the Department’s website information concerning the application for initial licensure of or renewal, denial, or provisional licensure of any residential facility for children located in the locality;","type":"section","prefixes":["E","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"E2","prefix_anchor":"E2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E1","next_prefix":"E3"},"7":{"id":244641,"text":"Require all licensees to self-report lawsuits against or settlements with residential facility operators relating to the health and safety or human rights of residents and any criminal charges that may have been made relating to the health and safety or human rights of residents;","type":"section","prefixes":["E","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"E3","prefix_anchor":"E3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E2","next_prefix":"E4"},"8":{"id":244642,"text":"Require proof of contractual agreements or staff expertise to provide educational services, counseling services, psychological services, medical services, or any other services needed to serve the residents in accordance with the facility’s operational plan;","type":"section","prefixes":["E","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"E4","prefix_anchor":"E4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E3","next_prefix":"E5"},"9":{"id":244643,"text":"Disseminate to local governments, or post on the Department’s website, an accurate (updated weekly or monthly as necessary) list of licensed and operating group homes and other residential facilities for children by locality with information on services and identification of the lead licensure agency; and","type":"section","prefixes":["E","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"E5","prefix_anchor":"E5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E4","next_prefix":"E6"},"10":{"id":244644,"text":"Modify the term of the license at any time during the term of the license based on a change in compliance.","type":"section","prefixes":["E","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"E6","prefix_anchor":"E6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13304,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulations and Interdepartmental Cooperation","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13303,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:36","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:36","permalink":{"id":272319,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13304,"identifier":"5","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5","url":"\/63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13303,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licensure and Registration Procedures","identifier":"17","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13166,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:36","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:36","permalink":{"id":272145,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13303,"identifier":"17","token":"63.2\/IV\/17","url":"\/63.2\/IV\/17\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13166,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licensure","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":272143,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13166,"identifier":"IV","token":"63.2\/IV","url":"\/63.2\/IV\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":73445,"structure_id":13304,"section_number":"63.2-1732","catch_line":"Regulations for assisted living facilities","url":"\/63.2-1732\/","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1732","metadata":false},{"id":65479,"structure_id":13304,"section_number":"63.2-1733","catch_line":"Regulations for adult day centers","url":"\/63.2-1733\/","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1733","metadata":false},{"id":82143,"structure_id":13304,"section_number":"63.2-1734","catch_line":"Regulations for child welfare agencies","url":"\/63.2-1734\/","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1734","metadata":false},{"id":62409,"structure_id":13304,"section_number":"63.2-1735","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-1735\/","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1735","metadata":false},{"id":72717,"structure_id":13304,"section_number":"63.2-1736","catch_line":"Interagency agreements; cooperation of Department with other departments","url":"\/63.2-1736\/","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1736","metadata":false},{"id":67518,"structure_id":13304,"section_number":"63.2-1737","catch_line":"Licensure of group homes and residential facilities for children","url":"\/63.2-1737\/","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1737","metadata":false},{"id":54292,"structure_id":13304,"section_number":"63.2-1738","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-1738\/","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1738","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72717,"structure_id":13304,"section_number":"63.2-1736","catch_line":"Interagency agreements; cooperation of Department with other departments","url":"\/63.2-1736\/","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1736","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":54292,"structure_id":13304,"section_number":"63.2-1738","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-1738\/","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1738","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-1737\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 218 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 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 11 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 1984, chapter 55; in 1987, chapter 578; in 1992, chapter 666; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 358<\/a> and 471<\/a>; in 2006, chapters 168<\/a> and 781<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 873<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 551<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 366<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 274<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 449<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":272341,"object_type":"law","relational_id":67518,"identifier":"63.2-1737","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1737","url":"\/63.2-1737\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-1737\/","token":"63.2\/IV\/17\/5\/63.2-1737","dublin_core":{"Title":"Licensure of group homes and residential facilities for children","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-1737","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subtitle, the Department<\/span> shall cooperate with other state departments<\/span> in fulfilling their respective licensing and certification responsibilities of children’s residential facilities. The Board<\/span> shall adopt regulations establishing the Department<\/span> as the single licensing agency for the regulation of children’s residential facilities, including group homes, which provide social services<\/span> programs, with the exception of educational programs licensed by the Department<\/span> of Education and facilities regulated by the Department<\/span> of Juvenile Justice. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, licenses issued to children’s residential facilities may be issued for periods of up to 36 successive months. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Board<\/span>’s regulations for the regulation of children’s residential facilities shall address the services required to be provided in such facilities as it may deem appropriate to ensure the health and safety of the children. In addition, the Board<\/span>’s regulations shall include, but shall not be limited to (i) specifications for the structure and accommodations of such facilities according to the needs of the children; (ii) rules concerning allowable activities, local government- and facility-imposed curfews, and study, recreational, and bedtime hours; and (iii) a requirement that each facility have a community liaison who shall be responsible for facilitating cooperative relationships with the neighbors, the school system, local law<\/span> enforcement, local government officials, and the community at large. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any facility licensed by the Commissioner<\/span> as a child<\/span>-caring institution as of January 1, 1987, and that receives no public funds shall be licensed under minimum standards for licensed child<\/span>-caring institutions as adopted by the Board<\/span> and in effect on January 1, 1987. Effective January 1, 1987, all children’s residential facilities shall be licensed under the regulations for children’s residential facilities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection B, the Board<\/span>’s regulations shall require, as a condition of initial licensure or, if appropriate, license renewal, that the applicant shall (i) be personally interviewed by Department<\/span> personnel to determine the qualifications of the owner or operator before granting an initial license; (ii) provide evidence<\/span> of having relevant prior experience before any initial license is granted; (iii) provide, as a condition of initial license or renewal licensure, evidence<\/span> of staff participation in training on appropriate siting of the residential facilities for children, good neighbor policies, community relations, and shaken baby syndrome and its effects; and (iv) be required to screen residents prior to admission to exclude individuals with behavioral issues<\/span>, such as histories of violence, that cannot be managed in the relevant residential facility. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> In addition, the Department<\/span> shall: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Notify relevant local governments and placing and funding agencies, including the Office of Children’s Services, of multiple health and safety or human rights violations in residential facilities for which the Department<\/span> serves as lead licensure agency when such violations result in the lowering of the licensure status of the facility to provisional; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Post on the Department<\/span>’s website information concerning the application for initial licensure of or renewal, denial, or provisional licensure of any residential facility for children located in the locality; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Require all licensees to self-report lawsuits<\/span> against or settlements<\/span> with residential facility operators relating to the health and safety or human rights of residents and any criminal charges that may have been made relating to the health and safety or human rights of residents; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Require proof of contractual agreements or staff expertise to provide educational services, counseling services, psychological services, medical services, or any other services needed to serve the residents in accordance with the facility’s operational plan; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Disseminate to local governments, or post on the Department<\/span>’s website, an accurate (updated weekly or monthly as necessary) list of licensed and operating group homes and other residential facilities for children by locality with information on services and identification of the lead licensure agency; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Modify the term of the license at any time during the term of the license based on a change in compliance. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLICENSURE OF GROUP HOMES AND RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN (\u00a7 63.2-1737)\n\nA. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subtitle, the Department shall\ncooperate with other state departments in fulfilling their respective licensing\nand certification responsibilities of children’s residential facilities.\nThe Board shall adopt regulations establishing the Department as the single\nlicensing agency for the regulation of children’s residential facilities,\nincluding group homes, which provide social services programs, with the\nexception of educational programs licensed by the Department of Education and\nfacilities regulated by the Department of Juvenile Justice. Notwithstanding any\nother provisions of this chapter, licenses issued to children’s\nresidential facilities may be issued for periods of up to 36 successive months.\n\nB. The Board’s regulations for the regulation of children’s\nresidential facilities shall address the services required to be provided in\nsuch facilities as it may deem appropriate to ensure the health and safety of\nthe children. In addition, the Board’s regulations shall include, but\nshall not be limited to (i) specifications for the structure and accommodations\nof such facilities according to the needs of the children; (ii) rules concerning\nallowable activities, local government- and facility-imposed curfews, and study,\nrecreational, and bedtime hours; and (iii) a requirement that each facility have\na community liaison who shall be responsible for facilitating cooperative\nrelationships with the neighbors, the school system, local law enforcement,\nlocal government officials, and the community at large.\n\nC. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any facility licensed\nby the Commissioner as a child-caring institution as of January 1, 1987, and\nthat receives no public funds shall be licensed under minimum standards for\nlicensed child-caring institutions as adopted by the Board and in effect on\nJanuary 1, 1987. Effective January 1, 1987, all children’s residential\nfacilities shall be licensed under the regulations for children’s\nresidential facilities.\n\nD. In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection B, the Board’s\nregulations shall require, as a condition of initial licensure or, if\nappropriate, license renewal, that the applicant shall (i) be personally\ninterviewed by Department personnel to determine the qualifications of the owner\nor operator before granting an initial license; (ii) provide evidence of having\nrelevant prior experience before any initial license is granted; (iii) provide,\nas a condition of initial license or renewal licensure, evidence of staff\nparticipation in training on appropriate siting of the residential facilities\nfor children, good neighbor policies, community relations, and shaken baby\nsyndrome and its effects; and (iv) be required to screen residents prior to\nadmission to exclude individuals with behavioral issues, such as histories of\nviolence, that cannot be managed in the relevant residential facility.\n\nE. In addition, the Department shall:\n\n 1. Notify relevant local governments and placing and funding agencies,\n including the Office of Children’s Services, of multiple health and\n safety or human rights violations in residential facilities for which the\n Department serves as lead licensure agency when such violations result in the\n lowering of the licensure status of the facility to provisional;\n\n 2. Post on the Department’s website information concerning the\n application for initial licensure of or renewal, denial, or provisional\n licensure of any residential facility for children located in the locality;\n\n 3. Require all licensees to self-report lawsuits against or settlements with\n residential facility operators relating to the health and safety or human\n rights of residents and any criminal charges that may have been made relating\n to the health and safety or human rights of residents;\n\n 4. Require proof of contractual agreements or staff expertise to provide\n educational services, counseling services, psychological services, medical\n services, or any other services needed to serve the residents in accordance\n with the facility’s operational plan;\n\n 5. Disseminate to local governments, or post on the Department’s\n website, an accurate (updated weekly or monthly as necessary) list of licensed\n and operating group homes and other residential facilities for children by\n locality with information on services and identification of the lead licensure\n agency; and\n\n 6. Modify the term of the license at any time during the term of the license\n based on a change in compliance.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 218, \u00a7 63.1-196.4; 1984, c. 55; 1987, c. 578; 1992, c. 666;\n2002, c. 747; 2005, cc. 358, 471; 2006, cc. 168, 781; 2008, c. 873; 2010, c.\n551; 2015, c. 366; 2018, c. 274; 2019, c. 449.","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}}