Section 90. Public participation

A. In general, when a dispute has been referred to dispute resolution, the public shall be so notified by a notice placed in the Virginia Register of Regulations. The public also may be notified by any other means deemed appropriate by the board. The notice shall state the nature of the dispute and the name, telephone number, fax number, postal address, and e-mail address of the department staff person to whom a member of the public should apply in order to become a party. The notice shall allow for a response time of at least 10 business days following publication.

B. Anyone who is interested in becoming a party in the pending dispute resolution and who meets the eligibility criteria specified in the definition of "party" in 9VAC20-15-20 shall, within the time allotted in the notice, apply to the department staff person listed in the notice. The application shall include the name, telephone number, postal address, and, if applicable, the fax number and e-mail address of the interested person. The application shall also include a brief statement setting forth the factual nature and the extent of the interest of the requester in the dispute.

C. The director shall respond to the application of the interested person in writing, explaining the obligations of a party to dispute resolution concerning attendance and costs. The director shall also request that the interested person submit a dated and signed statement as follows: "I understand that by becoming a party to dispute resolution, I am obligated to abide by Virginia law and regulations concerning dispute resolution and that I incur partial financial responsibility for the dispute resolution procedure."

D. After receiving the signed and dated statement from the interested person as required by subsection C of this section, the director may consider this person a party and proceed accordingly.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 17, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 2001.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1186.3 of the Code of Virginia.