Amend section on Standards of Practice to require that a psychologist report to the Court and counsel recantations of abuse allegations by a minor.

In accordance with Virginia law, the petition has been filed with the Register of Regulations for publication on February 9, 2015 with a request for comment to be received until March 6, 2015.  The petition will also be posted for comment on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov.

At the next meeting after the comment period, which is scheduled for May 19, 2015, the Board will consider the petition and any comment received to decide whether or not to initiate the rule-making process.

After much discussion, the Board decided not to initiate rulemaking as requested.  Members acknowledged that recantations were a difficult issue and advised that further guidance and education might be useful in assisting licensees with handling such situations.  Since there are so many variables to be considered, the Board felt that current standards allow for flexibility for different situations but also provide sufficient grounds for disciplinary action should there be clear and convincing evidence that a violation of law or regulation has occurred.