                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

WEIGHT LOSS CENTERS OR CLINICS; DISCLOSURE (§ 18.2-502.1)

No weight loss center or clinic shall, in its name or advertisements, use the
words &#8220;physicians&#8221; or &#8220;doctors&#8221; or refer to its clients
as &#8220;patients&#8221; or indicate that &#8220;medical teams&#8221; are
available in its facility unless (i) the facility employs at least one
registered nurse full-time and employs or contracts with at least one physician
licensed by the Board of Medicine for services or consultation in connection
with the facility&#8217;s activities; or (ii) the facility is under the
full-time supervision of a physician; or (iii) the clinic or program is operated
by or in conjunction with a licensed hospital. Any physician affiliated with a
weight loss center or clinic for purposes of consultation or supervision shall
have primary responsibility for decisions made within the scope of that
affiliation relating to the provision of medical services or care to persons
using the services of that facility and shall have primary responsibility for
medical decisions relating to the evaluation of the appropriateness of the
admission of persons to the weight loss program. Any person who violates the
provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

HISTORY: 1988, c. 765.