The ballot period for proposed changes to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Healthcare Green Building Rating System is open. The consensus body is open to individuals employed by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) member organizations. The ballot will remain open until Nov. 16.

In accordance with published ballot procedures, the USGBC impaneled a consensus body to approve the proposed changes to LEED once the public comment process concluded. The consensus body was open to any individual employed by a USGBC member organization. Those individuals that opted in to the LEED for Healthcare consensus body should have received communications from USGBC on the voting procedures.

LEED for Healthcare was developed to meet the unique needs of the health-care market, including inpatient- and outpatient-care facilities and licensed long-term-care facilities. LEED for Healthcare also can be used for medical offices, assisted living facilities, and medical education and research centers. The rating system addresses issues such as increased sensitivity to chemicals and pollutants, traveling distances from parking facilities, and access to natural spaces.

Responses from the third public-comment period are posted on the LEED for Healthcare Web page.

If you opted in and did not receive information from the USGBC regarding voting procedures, e-mail hc@committees.usgbc.org.