Section 20. Administration

A. The board has the responsibility to promulgate, amend and repeal regulations necessary to protect the public health and the environment.

B. The State Health Commissioner is the chief executive officer of the State Department of Health. In accordance with §§ 32.1-20 and 32.1-22 of the Code of Virginia, the commissioner has the authority to act for the board when it is not in session, subject to such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the board, and may employ such personnel as are necessary for the proper performance of his duties as executive officer of the board.

C. In addition to other authority granted by law, the commissioner has the authority to do the following:

1. Approve the process of sanitizing or sterilizing filling materials, bedding, or upholstered furniture.

2. Issue licenses/permits and assign a uniform registry number to importers, manufacturers, renovators, reupholsterers, or sanitizers.

3. Order the return of any item of bedding or upholstered furniture or any filling material made, remade, renovated, reupholstered, prepared, processed, labeled or not labeled in violation of the provisions of this chapter to the manufacturer or importer thereof.

4. Inspect the premises of a holder of a license or permit issued by the commissioner, subject to the requirements set forth at 12VAC5-125-80.

5. Refuse to issue, suspend or revoke the license or permit of any person (i) who violates any provision of this chapter, any regulation of the board pursuant to this chapter or any order of the board or commissioner or (ii) who is not a resident of the Commonwealth and fails or refuses to enter an appearance in any circuit court in the Commonwealth to answer a charge or charges of violation of any provision of this chapter, regulation of the board or order of the board or commissioner.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 23, Issue 23, eff. September 1, 2007.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-12 of the Code of Virginia.