Updated: 07/13
401 Basis for Policy Development
The development or revision of Division regulations, policies and procedures may be the result of federal or State legislation or regulations, or issues identified by Division initiatives; staff; the
Maryland State Rehabilitation Council (MSRC); consumers; consumer satisfaction surveys conducted in collaboration with the MSRC; CARF; and other interested entities and individuals.
The Division’s State Plan for VR Services, regulations and policy and procedure manuals for Title I and VI under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, will be developed in accordance with established procedures.
Procedures established by the State Board of Education and the Division of State Documents shall be followed in the development of regulations for incorporation into the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
402 Individuals/Groups Involved in Consultation
The opinions and advice of the following individuals and groups shall be sought and considered in the development and implementation of the State Plan, regulations (for inclusion in COMAR), and related policy:
Current or former recipients of rehabilitation services and, as appropriate, a parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or an authorized representative of the recipient.
Providers of rehabilitation services and advocacy groups.
Maryland State Rehabilitation Council (MSRC) – issues related to the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
DORS staff and managers.
Client Assistance Program.
Others interested in rehabilitation programs and services.
403 Procedures for Development or Substantive Revision of Division Regulations, Policies and Procedures
Issues identified by DORS staff related to regulations, policies and procedures shall be discussed with the immediate supervisor and forwarded via supervisory channels to the Directors of the Office of Field Services (OFS), Office for Blindness & Vision Services (OBVS), the Workforce & Technology Center (WTC), and the Office of Administration & Financial Services (AFS). The Directors will forward the issue to the Assistant State Superintendent in Rehabilitation Services.
Issues identified by individuals and groups external to the Division shall be directed to the attention of the Assistant State Superintendent.
At the direction of the Assistant State Superintendent, the Division’s Policy Review Committee or an ad hoc workgroup of the Division will analyze the issue(s), review existing resources and develop a proposal which may include draft policies and procedures.
Draft proposals involving substantial policy change will be forwarded to the Chairperson of the MSRC Policy and Planning Committee for review and discussion by the committee members, unless the MSRC policy committee members have participated in the DORS Policy Review Committee’s review of the issue.
The DORS administrator assigned responsibility for policy development will review recommendations of the Policy Review Committee and MSRC, as applicable, and will finalize the proposal and forward it to the Division's Executive Staff for consideration. The Executive Staff will seek input from selected staff and the Assistant Attorney General or other individuals, as appropriate.
The Assistant State Superintendent will approve, disapprove or amend the proposed policies and procedures after considering the proposal, including the advice of the Council, as appropriate.
Actions to codify regulations or amend the State Plan resulting from the approval of the policies and procedures will be initiated as appropriate (see
Section 401).
Approved policies and procedures will be submitted to the DORS administrator assigned responsibility for policy development for distribution via the DORS Information Distribution System (see
Section 600).
404 Policy Review Committee Responsibility and Membership
The DORS Policy Review Committee will be responsible for analyzing issues and developing proposals related to regulations, policies, procedures and State Plans.
The Policy Review Committee will be composed of staff of the Division appointed by the Assistant State Superintendent or designee and chaired by a Regional Director or OBVS administrator on a rotating basis. The DORS administrator assigned responsibility for policy development will provide support to the committee. Membership on the committee will include representatives from:
- Office of Field Services, including one counselor from each region and at least one supervisor
- Office for Blindness & Vision Services
- Workforce & Technology Center
- Client Assistance Program
- DORS administrator assigned responsibility for policy development
- Maryland State Rehabilitation Council (invited)
405 Implementation of Licensing Requirements at the Workforce & Technology Center
Facility-based policies implementing the Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) Programs shall be based on Department of Health Regulations and shall be reviewed by the WTC Director or designee and submitted to the DORS Director for approval.
