Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-182 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 9 / Section 9.1-182
Funding; failure to comply; prohibited use of funds
Status: in_force

A. Counties and cities shall be required to establish a local community-based probation services agency under this article only to the extent funded by the Commonwealth through the general appropriation act.

B. The Department shall periodically review each program established under this article to determine compliance with the submitted plan and operating standards. If the Department determines that a program is not in substantial compliance with the submitted plan or standards, the Department may suspend all or any portion of financial aid made available to the locality for purposes of this article until there is compliance.

C. Funding shall be used for the provision of local community-based probation services and operation of facilities but shall not be used for capital expenditures.

D. The Department, in conjunction with local boards, shall establish a statewide system of supervision and intervention fees to be paid by offenders participating in local community-based probation services established under this article for reimbursement towards the costs of their supervision.

E. Any supervision or intervention fees collected by local community-based probation services agencies established under this article shall be retained by the locality serving as fiscal agent and shall be utilized solely for expansion and development of services, or to supplant local costs of operation. Any local community-based probation services agency collecting such fees shall keep records of the collected fees, report the amounts to the locality serving as fiscal agent and make all records available to the community criminal justice board. Such fees shall be in addition to any other imposed on a defendant or offender as a condition of a deferred proceeding, conviction or sentencing by a court as required by general law.

1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1 , 2 , § 53.1-185.2; 1995, cc. 502 , 574 , 768 ; 2000, c. 1040 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2007, c. 133 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-502 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 5 / Section 9.1-502
Notice of charges; response; election to proceed under grievance procedure of local governing body
Status: in_force

A. Before any dismissal, demotion, suspension without pay or transfer for punitive reasons may be imposed, the following rights shall be afforded:

1. The law-enforcement officer shall be notified in writing of all charges, the basis therefor, and the action which may be taken;

2. The law-enforcement officer shall be given an opportunity, within a reasonable time limit after the date of the written notice provided for above, to respond orally and in writing to the charges. The time limit shall be determined by the agency, but in no event shall it be less than five calendar days unless agreed to by the law-enforcement officer;

3. In making his response, the law-enforcement officer may be assisted by counsel at his own expense; and

4. The law-enforcement officer shall be given written notification of his right to initiate a grievance under the grievance procedure established by the local governing body pursuant to §§ 15.2-1506 and 15.2-1507 . A copy of the local governing body's grievance procedure shall be provided to the law-enforcement officer upon his request.

B. A law-enforcement officer may proceed under either the local governing body's grievance procedure or the law-enforcement officer's procedural guarantees, but not both.

1978, c. 19, § 2.1-116.4; 1987, c. 461; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-102.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-102.1
Photo-identification cards
Status: in_force

A. The Department shall issue a photo-identification card to a private security registrant at the time of the approval of such individual's initial registration and upon renewal. Upon submission of a written statement by an individual to the Department that the individual's photo-identification card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the Department shall reissue a photo-identification card to the individual.

B. A photo-identification card shall contain the name of the individual, the individual's registration number, the individual's registration category, and a photograph of the individual; the date of issuance; the date of expiration; the name of the issuer, "Department of Criminal Justice Services, Commonwealth of Virginia"; and any other information approved by the Department pursuant to subdivision 51 of § 9.1-102 .

C. For each photo-identification card issued or reissued to an individual pursuant to this section, the Department shall charge the individual a fee in an amount equal to the fee charged by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the issuance of a special identification card set forth in §§ 46.2-333.1 and 46.2-345 . In addition to such fee, the Department shall charge the individual a $4 processing fee for any photo-identification card issued or reissued on or after July 1, 2017, but before July 1, 2018.

D. The Department may enter into an agreement with the Department of Motor Vehicles to create, design, and produce photo-identification cards issued by the Department pursuant to this section and shall submit the information necessary to create and produce photo-identification cards in electronic form to the Department of Motor Vehicles in a format prescribed by the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. For each photo-identification card produced by the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall charge the Department an amount equal to the fee charged by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the issuance of a special identification card set forth in §§ 46.2-333.1 and 46.2-345 . In addition to such fee, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall charge the Department a $4 processing fee for any photo-identification card issued or reissued on or after July 1, 2017, but before July 1, 2018. All fees paid to the Department of Motor Vehicles by the Department for each photo-identification card issued pursuant to this subsection shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to meet the expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles in issuing such cards.

2016, cc. 197 , 256 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-170 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 8 / Section 9.1-170
Distribution of funds to towns
Status: in_force

A. Towns located in eligible counties and which have police departments shall receive a percentage of the funds distributed to the county in accordance with § 9.1-169 , such percentage to be equal to the ratio of the town's population as determined by the Department to the total population of the county.

B. Towns located in noneligible counties shall be assigned an adjusted crime index based on their population and the average of the three lowest predicted crime rates for cities. Such towns shall receive funds based on such adjusted crime index in the same manner as cities and eligible counties as provided in § 9.1-169 .

1979, c. 83, § 14.1-84.5; 1981, c. 485; 1998, c. 872 , § 9-183.17; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1106 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-1106
Disposal of certain hazardous materials
Status: in_force

Any material that is seized in any criminal investigation and that is deemed to be hazardous to health and safety, may be disposed of upon written application of the Department to the attorney for the Commonwealth in the city or county where the material is seized or where any criminal prosecution in which the material is proposed to be evidence is pending. Upon receipt thereof, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall file the application in the circuit court of such county or city. A sworn analysis report signed by a person designated by the Director of the Department shall accompany the application for disposal and shall clearly identify and designate the material to be disposed of. The application shall state the nature of the hazardous materials, the quantity thereof, the location where seized, the person from whom the materials were seized, and the manner whereby the materials shall be destroyed.

When the ownership of the hazardous material is known, notice shall be given to the owner at least three days prior to any hearing relating to the destruction, and, if any criminal charge is pending in any court as a result of the seizure, the notice shall be given to the accused if other than the owner.

Upon receipt of the analysis report and the application, the court may order the destruction of all, or a part of, the material. However, a sufficient and representative quantity of the material shall be retained to permit an independent analysis when a criminal prosecution may result from the seizure. A return under oath, reporting the time, place, and manner of destruction, shall be made to the courts. Copies of the analysis report, application, order, and return shall be made a part of the record of any criminal prosecution. The sworn analysis report shall be admissible as evidence to the same extent as the disposed-of material would have been admissible.

2005, cc. 868 , 881 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-116.4 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-116.4
Virginia Prevention of Sex Trafficking Fund; purpose; guidelines
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Prevention of Sex Trafficking Fund (the Fund). The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All moneys accruing to the Fund shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used for the purpose of promoting prevention and awareness of sex trafficking. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director of the Department.

B. The Fund shall be administered by the Department, and the Department shall adopt guidelines to make funds available to agencies of the state and local governments for the purpose of promoting awareness of and preventative training and education related to sex trafficking.

2019, c. 728 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-134 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 9.1-134
(Effective July 1, 2026) Sealing of criminal history record information
Status: in_force

The Board shall adopt procedures reasonably designed to (i) ensure the prompt sealing of criminal history record information and the sealing or purging of criminal history record information, including any records relating to an arrest, charge, or conviction, when required by state or federal law, regulation, or court order and (ii) permit opening of sealed information under conditions authorized by law.

1981, c. 632, § 9-190; 2001, c. 844 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 524 , 542 ; 2025, cc. 634 and 671 , cl.7.
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185.16 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185.16
Department submission to the State Corporation Commission
Status: in_force

A. The Department shall provide to the State Corporation Commission a list of all newly licensed surety bondsmen each month.

B. When the Department terminates a surety bail bondsman's license, the Department shall immediately notify the State Corporation Commission of the surety bail bondsman's termination and the reason for such termination.

2004, c. 460 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-192.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 15 / Section 9.1-192.1
Civilian deaths in custody; annual report
Status: in_force

A. For the purposes of this section:

"Correctional facility" includes any local, regional, state, or juvenile correctional facility.

"Law-enforcement agency" means any sheriff's office, police department, or other agency or department that employs persons who have law-enforcement authority that is under the direction and control of the Commonwealth or any local governing body.

B. Every law-enforcement agency and state or juvenile correctional facility shall report to the Department and every local or regional adult correctional facility shall report to the State Board of Local and Regional Jails the following information regarding the death of any person who is detained, under arrest or in the process of being arrested, en route to be incarcerated, incarcerated, or otherwise in the custody of such law-enforcement agency or correctional facility:

1. The name, gender, race, ethnicity, and age of the deceased;

2. The date, time, and location of death;

3. The law-enforcement agency or correctional facility that detained, arrested or was in the process of arresting, transported, incarcerated, or otherwise had custody of the deceased; and

4. A brief description of the circumstances surrounding the death and the cause of death.

C. Any law-enforcement agency or state or juvenile correctional facility that fails to comply with subsection B may, at the discretion of the Department, be declared ineligible for state grants or funds.

D. The Department and the State Board of Local and Regional Jails shall analyze the data submitted pursuant to subsection B to determine the means by which such information can be used to reduce the number of such deaths. The Director and the State Board of Local and Regional Jails shall each report annually the findings and recommendations resulting from the analysis and interpretation of the data to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Attorney General beginning on or before July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter.

E. Upon request, the State Board of Local and Regional Jails shall provide the data specified in subsection B to the Department to meet federal reporting requirements.

2024, c. 813 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-510 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 5.1 / Section 9.1-510
Hearing; recommendations
Status: in_force

A. Whenever a correctional officer is dismissed, demoted, suspended without pay, or transferred for punitive reasons, he may, within a reasonable amount of time following such action, as set by the agency, request a hearing. If such request is timely made, a hearing shall be held within a reasonable amount of time set by the agency. The hearing shall be set no later than 14 calendar days following the date of request, unless a later date is agreed to by the correctional officer.

B. At the hearing, the correctional officer and the agency shall have the opportunity to present evidence and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. The correctional officer shall also be given the opportunity to be represented by counsel or a representative at the hearing.

C. The hearing shall be conducted by a panel consisting of one member from within the agency selected by the grievant, one member from within the agency appointed by the agency head, and a third member selected by the other two members. These members shall be security officers of no more than three ranks above the rank of the grievant. If there is no agreement on a third member, the third member shall be chosen by the chief circuit court judge of the circuit where the correctional officer is employed. The hearing panel may issue subpoenas to compel witness testimony at the request of either the correctional officer or the agency. The hearing panel shall rule on the admissibility of evidence. A record shall be made of the hearing.

D. At the option of the agency, it may, in lieu of complying with the provisions of § 9.1-509 , (i) give the correctional officer a written statement of the charges and the basis for them, and the action that may be taken, and (ii) provide a hearing as provided for in this section prior to dismissing, demoting, suspending, or transferring the correctional officer for disciplinary reasons.

E. The recommendations of the hearing panel and the reasons therefor shall be made in writing and transmitted promptly to the correctional officer or his counsel and to the agency. Such recommendations shall be advisory only but shall be accorded significant weight.

F. No provision of this section shall apply to correctional officers dismissed, demoted, suspended without pay, or transferred for punitive reasons as a result of a criminal conviction.

2018, cc. 761 , 762 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185.18 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185.18
Penalties
Status: in_force

It shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor to engage in bail bonding for profit or other consideration without a valid license issued by the Department in this Commonwealth. A third conviction shall be a Class 6 felony.

Any person licensed by the Board pursuant to this article who violates any statute or Board regulation who is not criminally prosecuted shall be subject to the monetary penalty provided in this section. If the Board determines that a respondent has committed the violation complained of, the Board shall determine the amount of the monetary penalty for the violation, which shall not exceed $2,500 for each violation. The penalty may be sued for and recovered in the name of the Commonwealth.

2004, c. 460 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-188 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 13 / Section 9.1-188
Crisis intervention training program
Status: in_force

The Department, in consultation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and law-enforcement, brain injury, and mental health stakeholders, shall develop a crisis intervention training program divided into the following three categories: (i) a module of principles-based training to be included as a part of the compulsory minimum training standards subsequent to employment for all law-enforcement officers, (ii) a module of principles-based training to be included as a part of the basic training of and the recertification requirements for law-enforcement officers, and (iii) a comprehensive advanced training course for all persons involved in the crisis intervention team programs. Every locality shall establish or be part of a crisis intervention team program in accordance with the provisions of this article.

The curriculum for the basic training and recertification modules and the comprehensive advanced training course shall be approved for Department-certified in-service training credits for law-enforcement officers. All law-enforcement officers involved in a crisis intervention team program shall complete the comprehensive advanced training course in accordance with clause (iii). The comprehensive advanced training course's curriculum developed in accordance with clause (iii) shall include a module on brain injury as part of the four hours of mandatory training in legal issues.

2009, c. 715 ; 2020, cc. 514 , 515 ; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, c. 36 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-141 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 4 / Section 9.1-141
Powers of Board relating to private security services business
Status: in_force

A. The Board may adopt regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), establishing compulsory minimum, entry-level, in-service, and advanced training standards for persons employed by private security services businesses in classifications defined in § 9.1-138 . The regulations may include provisions delegating to the Board's staff the right to inspect the facilities and programs of persons conducting training to ensure compliance with the law and Board regulations. In establishing compulsory training standards for each of the classifications defined in § 9.1-138 , the Board shall be guided by the policy of this section to secure the public safety and welfare against incompetent or unqualified persons engaging in the activities regulated by this section and Article 4 (§ 9.1-138 et seq.) of this chapter. The compulsory minimum, entry-level, and in-service training standards for an unarmed security officer, armed security officer, courier, security canine handler, and alarm respondent shall include a training requirement on recognizing and reporting instances of suspected human trafficking. The regulations may provide for partial exemption from such compulsory, entry-level training for persons having previous employment as law-enforcement officers for a local, state or the federal government, to include units of the United States armed forces, or for persons employed in classifications defined in § 9.1-138 . However, no such exemption shall be granted to persons having less than five continuous years of such employment, nor shall an exemption be provided for any person whose employment as a law-enforcement officer or whose employment as a private security services business employee was terminated because of his misconduct or incompetence. The regulations may include separate provisions for full exemption from compulsory training for persons having previous training that meets or exceeds the minimum training standards and has been approved by the Department. However, no such exemption shall be granted to persons whose employment as a private security services business employee was terminated because of his misconduct or incompetence. No regulation adopted by the Board shall prevent any person employed by an electronic security business, other than an alarm respondent, or as a locksmith from carrying a firearm in the course of his duties when such person carries with him a valid concealed handgun permit issued in accordance with Article 6.1 (§ 18.2-307.1 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2.

B. The Board may enter into an agreement with other states for reciprocity or recognition of private security services businesses and their employees, duly licensed by such states. The agreements shall allow those businesses and their employees to provide and perform private security services within the Commonwealth to secure the public safety and welfare against incompetent, unqualified, unscrupulous, or unfit persons engaging in the activities of private security services businesses.

C. The Board may adopt regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) to secure the public safety and welfare against incompetent, unqualified, unscrupulous, or unfit persons engaging in the activities of private security services businesses that:

1. Establish the qualifications of applicants for registration, certification, or licensure under Article 4 (§ 9.1-138 ) of this chapter;

2. Examine, or cause to be examined, the qualifications of each applicant for registration, certification, or licensure, including when necessary the preparation, administration, and grading of examinations;

3. Certify qualified applicants for private security training schools and instructors or license qualified applicants as practitioners of private security services businesses;

4. Levy and collect fees for registration, certification, or licensure and renewal that are sufficient to cover all expenses for administration and operation of a program of registration, certification, and licensure for private security services businesses and training schools;

5. Are necessary to ensure continued competency, and to prevent deceptive or misleading practices by practitioners and effectively administer the regulatory system adopted by the Board;

6. Receive complaints concerning the conduct of any person whose activities are regulated by the Board, to conduct investigations, and to take appropriate disciplinary action if warranted; and

7. Revoke, suspend or fail to renew a registration, certification, or license for just cause as enumerated in Board regulations.

D. In adopting its regulations under subsections A and C, the Board shall seek the advice of the Private Security Services Advisory Board established pursuant to § 9.1-143 .

1981, c. 632, § 9-182; 1990, c. 354; 1992, c. 578; 1994, cc. 45 , 335 , 810 ; 1995, c. 79 ; 1998, cc. 122 , 807 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2009, c. 375 ; 2013, c. 69 ; 2014, c. 32 ; 2024, c. 367 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-148 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 4 / Section 9.1-148
Unlawful procurement of a license; penalty
Status: in_force

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to:

1. Procure, or assist another to procure, through theft, fraud or other illegal means, a registration or license, by giving to, or receiving from, any person any information, oral, written or printed, during the administration of the examination, which is intended to, or will, assist any person taking the examination in passing the examination and obtaining the required registration or license;

2. Attempt to procure, through theft, fraud or other illegal means, any questions intended to be used by the Department conducting the examination, or the answers to the questions;

3. Promise or offer any valuable or other consideration to a person having access to the questions or answers as an inducement to procure for delivery to the promisor, or any other person, a copy of any questions or answers.

B. No person, other than a designee of the Department, shall procure or have in his possession prior to the beginning of an examination, without written authority of the Department, any question intended to be used by the Department, or receive or furnish to any person taking the examination, prior to or during the examination, any written or printed material purporting to be answers to, or aid in answering such questions;

C. If an examination is divided into separate parts, each of the parts shall be deemed an examination for the purposes of this section.

D. Any person convicted of a violation of subsections A or B shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

1992, c. 578, § 9-183.10; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1500 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 15 / Section 9.1-1500
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Certification form" means a certification form or declaration completed by a certifying agency that is required by federal immigration law certifying that a person is a victim of qualifying criminal activity. Such form or declaration may include any information required (i) by 8 U.S.C. § 1184(p), including the current United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-918, Supplement B, or any successor form for purposes of obtaining a U visa, or (ii) by 8 U.S.C. § 1184(o), including the current United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-914, Supplement B, or any successor form for purposes of obtaining a T visa.

"Certifying agency" means a state or local law-enforcement agency, an attorney for the Commonwealth, the Attorney General, or any other agency or department employing law-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-101 that has responsibility for the investigation or prosecution of a qualifying criminal activity.

"Certifying official" means the head of the certifying agency, a law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101 , or any person employed by a certifying agency in a supervisory role who has been specifically designated by the head of the certifying agency to issue U nonimmigrant status certifications on behalf of that agency. A certifying official may act on behalf of his employing certifying agency or on behalf of another certifying agency through an agreement with the other certifying agency. Each certifying agency shall designate at least one certifying official for its agency.

"Qualifying criminal activity" means any activity, regardless of the stage of detection, investigation, or prosecution, designated in 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U)(iii), or in any implementing federal regulations, supplementary information, guidance, and instructions.

"Victim of qualifying criminal activity" means a person described in 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U)(i)(III), in the definition of "victim of a severe form of trafficking" in 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11), or in any implementing federal regulations, supplementary information, guidance, and instructions.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 468 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-190 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 13 / Section 9.1-190
Crisis intervention team program assessment
Status: in_force

The Department, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall assess and report on the impact and effectiveness of the crisis intervention team programs in meeting the program goals. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, consideration of the number of incidents, injuries to the parties involved, successes and problems encountered, the overall operation of the crisis intervention team programs, and recommendations for improvement of the program. The Department, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall submit a report to the Joint Commission on Health Care by November 15, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

2009, c. 715 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-108.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-108.1
Executive Committee; authority; effect of certain actions
Status: in_force

A. The Board may establish an Executive Committee consisting of the Chairman and seven members of the Board appointed by the Chair. The Chair shall serve a term coincident with his term of office as Chairman of the Board and the other members of the Executive Committee shall serve terms of two years. Five members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

B. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to take any action authorized by this chapter including, but not limited to, hearing appeals by a regulant of a determination of a violation of regulations promulgated by the Board.

C. Any decision rendered by the Executive Committee on appeals by a regulant of a determination of a violation of regulations promulgated by the Board shall have the same effect as if made by the Board and shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

All other actions of the Executive Committee shall be acted upon by the full Board as soon as practicable.

2008, c. 305 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-913 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 9.1-913
Public dissemination by means of the Internet
Status: in_force

The State Police shall develop and maintain a system for making certain Registry information on persons convicted of an offense for which registration is required publicly available by means of the Internet. The information to be made available shall include the offender's name; all aliases that he has used or under which he may have been known; the date and locality of the conviction and a brief description of the offense; his age, current address, and photograph; his current work address; the name of any institution of higher education at which he is currently enrolled; and such other information as the State Police may from time to time determine is necessary to preserve public safety, including but not limited to the fact that an individual is wanted for failing to register, reregister, or verify his registration information. The system shall be secure and not capable of being altered except by the State Police. The system shall be updated each business day with newly received registrations, reregistrations and verifications of registration information. The State Police shall remove all information that it knows to be inaccurate from the Internet system.

2003, c. 584 ; 2005, c. 603 ; 2006, cc. 857 , 914 ; 2016, c. 335 ; 2020, c. 829 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-166 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 8 / Section 9.1-166
Local governments to receive state funds for law enforcement
Status: in_force

The Department of the Treasury shall disburse funds to cities, towns and counties, to aid in the law-enforcement expenditures of those local governments, pursuant to the terms of this article.

1979, c. 83, § 14.1-84.1; 1981, c. 485; 1998, c. 872 , § 9-183.13; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-201 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 9.1-201
Powers of Executive Director
Status: in_force

The Executive Director shall have the following powers to:

1. Supervise the administration of the Department;

2. Prepare, approve, and submit all requests for appropriations and be responsible for all expenditures pursuant to appropriations;

3. Employ such staff as is necessary to carry out the powers and duties of this chapter, within the limits of available appropriations;

4. Accept on behalf of the Department grants from the United States government and agencies and instrumentalities thereof and any other sources. To these ends, the Executive Director shall have the power to execute such agreements in accordance with any policies of the Virginia Fire Services Board;

5. Do all acts necessary or convenient to carry out the purpose of this chapter and to assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities and duties;

6. Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter, including, but not limited to, contracts with the United States, other states, and agencies and governmental subdivisions of the Commonwealth;

7. Appoint a director of fire services training;

8. Receive funds as appropriated by the General Assembly collected pursuant to § 38.2-401 , on an annual basis to be used as provided in subsection C of § 38.2-401 ;

9. Administer the Thermal Imaging Camera Grant Funds established pursuant to § 9.1-205 ;

10. Administer the provisions of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.); and

11. Develop a training program on the risks of fires in electric vehicles and how to safely and effectively manage such fires to be completed by all firefighters, including volunteer firefighters as defined in § 27-42 , as required by § 27-23.11.

1978, c. 606, § 9-154; 1981, c. 154; 1985, cc. 397, 545; 2001, c. 844 ; 2002, c. 721 ; 2007, cc. 647 , 741 ; 2012, cc. 164 , 456 ; 2023, c. 87 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-918 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 9.1-918
Misuse of registry or supplement information; penalty
Status: in_force

Use of registry information or information from the Supplement to the Registry established pursuant to § 9.1-923 for purposes not authorized by this chapter is prohibited, the unlawful use of the information contained in or derived from the Registry or Supplement for purposes of intimidating or harassing another is prohibited, and a willful violation of this chapter is a Class 1 misdemeanor. For purposes of this section, absent other aggravating circumstances, the mere republication or reasonable distribution of material contained on or derived from the publicly available Internet offender database shall not be deemed intimidation or harassment.

2003, c. 584 ; 2006, cc. 857 , 914 ; 2015, cc. 594 , 603 ; 2020, c. 829 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-512 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 5.1 / Section 9.1-512
Informal counseling not prohibited
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the informal counseling of a correctional officer by a supervisor in reference to a minor infraction of policy or procedure that does not result in disciplinary action being taken against the correctional officer.

2018, cc. 761 , 762 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-212 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2.1 / Section 9.1-212
Marking of cigarettes
Status: in_force

A. Cigarettes that have been certified in accordance with § 9.1-211 shall be marked in accordance with the requirements of this section.

B. The marking shall:

1. Be in a font of at least eight-point type; and

2. Include one of the following:

a. Modification of the product UPC bar code to include a visible mark that is printed at or around the area of the UPC bar code and consists of one or more alphanumeric or symbolic characters permanently stamped, engraved, embossed, or printed in conjunction with the UPC bar code;

b. Any visible combination of alphanumeric or symbolic characters permanently stamped, engraved, embossed, or printed on the cigarette package or the cellophane wrap; or

c. Stamped, engraved, embossed, or printed text that indicates that the cigarettes meet the standards of this chapter.

C. The manufacturer shall request approval of a proposed marking from the Director.

D. The Director shall approve or disapprove the marking offered, except that the Director shall approve:

1. The letters "FSC," which signify Fire Standards Compliant, appearing in eight-point type or larger and permanently printed, stamped, engraved, or embossed on the package at or near the UPC code; and

2. Any marking in use and approved for sale in New York pursuant to the New York fire safety standards for cigarettes.

E. A marking is deemed approved if the Director fails to act within 10 days after receiving a request for approval.

F. A manufacturer may not use a modified marking unless the modification has been approved in accordance with this section.

G. A manufacturer shall use only one marking on all brands that the manufacturer markets.

H. A marking or modified marking approved by the Director shall be applied uniformly on all brands marketed and on all packages, including packs, cartons, and cases marketed by that manufacturer.

2014, cc. 370 , 418 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-113 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-113
Compliance with minimum training standards by certain officers; exceptions
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to require (i) law-enforcement officers serving under permanent appointment on July 1, 1971, (ii) officers serving under permanent appointment under the provisions of § 56-353 appointed prior to July 1, 1982, or (iii) officers serving under permanent appointment under the provisions of § 10.1-115 appointed prior to July 1, 2003; to meet the compulsory minimum training standards provided for in subdivision 2 of § 9.1-102 . Nor shall failure of any such officer to meet such standards make him ineligible for any promotional examination for which he is otherwise eligible. However, any law-enforcement officer designated under the provisions of § 53.1-120 to provide courthouse and courtroom security shall be required to meet the standards provided under subdivision 7 of § 9.1-102 . Any full-time deputy sheriff who is a law-enforcement officer and who is exempted from the compulsory minimum training standards under this section shall be eligible for the minimum salary established pursuant to Article 3 (§ 15.2-1609 et seq.) of Chapter 16 of Title 15.2.

1981, c. 632, § 9-179; 1982, c. 419; 1984, c. 779; 1999, c. 495 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2003, c. 744 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-175 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 9 / Section 9.1-175
Board to prescribe standards; biennial plan
Status: in_force

The Board shall approve standards as prescribed by the Department for the development, implementation, operation, and evaluation of local community-based probation services and facilities authorized by this article, which shall include standards for the transfer of supervision between local community-based probation agencies. Any city, county, or combination thereof which establishes and provides local community-based probation services pursuant to this article shall submit a biennial criminal justice plan to the Department for review and approval.

Code 1950, § 53-128.18; 1980, c. 300; 1982, c. 636, § 53.1-182; 1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1 , 2 ; 1999, c. 372 ; 2000, c. 1040 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2002, c. 491 ; 2007, c. 133 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 191 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-303 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 3 / Section 9.1-303
Informal counseling not prohibited
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the informal counseling of a firefighter or emergency medical services personnel by a supervisor in reference to a minor infraction of policy or procedure that does not result in disciplinary action being taken against the firefighter or emergency medical services personnel.

1987, c. 509, § 2.1-116.9:3; 2001, c. 844 ; 2015, cc. 502 , 503 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-116.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-116.1
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Fund; purpose; guidelines
Status: in_force

A. There is created the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Fund (the Fund) as a special nonreverting fund to be administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services to support the prosecution of domestic violence cases, human and sex trafficking cases, criminal sexual assault cases, and victim services.

B. The Department shall adopt guidelines, the purpose of which shall be to make funds available to (i) local attorneys for the Commonwealth for the purpose of funding the cost of additional attorneys or to further dedicate existing resources to prosecute felonies and misdemeanors involving domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual abuse, stalking, family abuse, and human and sex trafficking; (ii) law-enforcement authorities or appropriate programs, including civil legal assistance and local child advocacy organizations, to assist in protecting and providing necessary services to victims of and children affected by domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking, family abuse, and human and sex trafficking; and (iii) sexual assault service providers and hospitals for the purpose of funding the cost of salaries and equipment for sexual assault forensic examiners, forensic nurse examiners who provide services for eligible cases and victims, sexual assault nurse examiners, and pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners, with priority for funding such costs given to such forensic examiners and nurse examiners serving rural or underserved areas of the Commonwealth.

C. A portion of the sum collected pursuant to § 16.1-69.48:1 as specified in that section shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the Fund in addition to any other moneys appropriated, allocated, or received specifically for such purpose. The Fund shall be distributed according to grant procedures adopted pursuant to this section and shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. Any funds remaining in the Fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Interest earned on the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.

D. The fees collected pursuant to § 17.1-275.15 as specified in that section shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the Fund and shall be designated for funding support services for eligible victims.

E. The Department shall establish a grant procedure to govern funds awarded for this purpose.

2004, c. 375 ; 2006, c. 288 ; 2022, c. 210 ; 2026, cc. 276 , 277 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-702 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 7 / Section 9.1-702
Work period
Status: in_force

Employers may adopt any work period to compute overtime compensation for fire protection or law-enforcement employees between seven and 28 days, provided that the work period is recurring and fixed, and is not changed for purposes of denying overtime compensation to such employees to which they may be entitled under subsection A of § 9.1-701 . The Department of Fire Programs shall encourage employers to implement work schedules that do not require a paid firefighter's normally scheduled shifts to exceed 42 hours per workweek. The provisions of this section pertaining to law-enforcement employees shall only apply to employers of 100 or more law-enforcement employees.

2001, c. 768 , § 2.1-116.9:9; 2005, c. 732 ; 2026, c. 299 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-901 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 9.1-901
Persons for whom registration required
Status: in_force

A. Every person convicted on or after July 1, 1994, including a juvenile tried and convicted in the circuit court pursuant to § 16.1-269.1 , whether sentenced as an adult or juvenile, of an offense set forth in § 9.1-902 and every juvenile found delinquent of an offense for which registration is required under subsection C of § 9.1-902 shall register, reregister, and verify his registration information as required by this chapter. Every person serving a sentence of confinement on or after July 1, 1994, for a conviction of an offense set forth in § 9.1-902 shall register, reregister, and verify his registration information as required by this chapter. Every person under community supervision as defined by § 53.1-1 or any similar form of supervision under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, on or after July 1, 1994, resulting from a conviction of an offense set forth in § 9.1-902 shall register, reregister, and verify his registration information as required by this chapter.

B. Every person found not guilty by reason of insanity on or after July 1, 2007, of an offense set forth in § 9.1-902 shall register, reregister, and verify his registration information as required by this chapter. Every person in the custody of the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, or on conditional release on or after July 1, 2007, because of a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity of an offense set forth in § 9.1-902 shall register, reregister, and verify his registration information as required by this chapter.

C. Unless a specific effective date is otherwise provided, all provisions of the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act shall apply retroactively. This subsection is declaratory of existing law.

2003, c. 584 ; 2005, c. 586 ; 2007, cc. 718 , 744 ; 2009, cc. 813 , 840 ; 2020, c. 829 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-400.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 4 / Section 9.1-400.1
Line of Duty Death and Health Benefits Trust Fund
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby established a permanent and perpetual fund to be known as the Line of Duty Death and Health Benefits Trust Fund, consisting of such moneys as may be appropriated by the General Assembly; contributions or reimbursements from participating and nonparticipating employers, from contributing nonprofit private institutions of higher education, and from contributing private police departments; gifts, bequests, endowments, or grants from the United States government or its agencies or instrumentalities; net income from the investment of moneys held in the Fund; and any other available sources of funds, public and private. Any moneys remaining in the Fund at the end of a biennium shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Interest and income earned from the investment of such moneys shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. The moneys in the Fund shall be (i) deemed separate and independent trust funds, (ii) segregated and accounted for separately from all other funds of the Commonwealth, and (iii) administered solely in the interests of the persons who are covered under the benefits provided pursuant to this chapter. Deposits to and assets of the Fund shall not be subject to the claims of creditors.

B. The Virginia Retirement System shall invest, reinvest, and manage the assets of the Fund as provided in § 51.1-124.39 and shall be reimbursed from the Fund for such activities as provided in that section.

C. The Fund shall be used to provide the benefits under this chapter related to disabled persons, deceased persons, eligible dependents, and eligible spouses on behalf of participating employers, contributing nonprofit private institutions of higher education, and contributing private police departments and to pay related administrative costs.

D. Each participating employer, contributing nonprofit private institution of higher education, and contributing private police department shall make annual contributions to the Fund and provide information as determined by VRS. The amount of the contribution for each participating employer, contributing nonprofit private institution of higher education, and contributing private police department shall be determined on a current disbursement basis in accordance with the provisions of this section. For purposes of establishing contribution amounts for participating employers, a member of any fire company or department or rescue squad that has been recognized by an ordinance or a resolution of the governing body of any locality of the Commonwealth as an integral part of the official safety program of such locality shall be considered part of the locality served by the company, department, or rescue squad. If a company, department, or rescue squad serves more than one locality, the affected localities shall determine the basis and apportionment of the required covered payroll and contributions for each company, department, or rescue squad.

If any participating employer, contributing nonprofit private institution of higher education, or contributing private police department fails to remit contributions or other fees or costs associated with the Fund, VRS shall inform the State Comptroller and the affected participating employer, contributing nonprofit private institution of higher education, or contributing private police department of the delinquent amount. In calculating the delinquent amount, VRS may impose an interest rate of one percent per month of delinquency. The State Comptroller shall forthwith transfer such delinquent amount, plus interest, from any moneys otherwise distributable to such participating employer. In the case of a contributing nonprofit private institution of higher education or a contributing private police department, VRS may employ reasonable methods to collect the delinquent amount, including the procedures set forth in the Virginia Debt Collection Act (§ 2.2-4800 et seq.).

2016, c. 677 ; 2017, c. 439 ; 2025, cc. 204 , 219 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-179 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 9 / Section 9.1-179
Withdrawal from services
Status: in_force

Any participating city or county may, at the beginning of any calendar quarter, by ordinance or resolution of its governing body, notify the Director of the Department and, in the case of multijurisdictional services, the other member jurisdictions, of its intention to withdraw from participation in local community-based probation services. Withdrawal shall be effective as of the last day of the quarter in which the notice is given.

Code 1950, § 53-128.20; 1980, c. 300; 1982, c. 636, § 53.1-184; 1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1 , 2 ; 1995, cc. 502 , 574 ; 2000, c. 1040 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2002, c. 491 ; 2007, c. 133 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-155 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 5 / Section 9.1-155
Notice of hearings and proceedings
Status: in_force

The provision of § 16.1-264 regarding notice to parties shall apply to ensure that an advocate is notified of hearings and other proceedings concerning the case to which he is assigned.

1990, c. 752, § 9-173.9; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185.15 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185.15
Recovery of bailees; methods of capture; standards and requirements; limitations
Status: in_force

A. During the recovery of a bailee, a bail bondsman shall have a copy of the relevant recognizance for the bailee. In the event a bail bondsman is recovering the bailee of another bondsman, he shall also have written authorization from the bailee's bondsman, obtained prior to effecting the capture. The Department shall develop the written authorization form to be used in such circumstances.

B. A bail bondsmen shall not enter a residential structure without first verbally notifying the occupants who are present at the time of the entry.

C. Absent exigent circumstances, a bail bondsman shall give prior notification of at least 24 hours to local law enforcement or state police of the intent to apprehend a bailee. In all cases, a bail bondsman shall inform local law enforcement within 30 minutes of capturing a bailee.

D. A bail bondsman shall not break any laws of the Commonwealth in the act of apprehending a bailee.

2004, c. 460 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1100 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-1100
Department of Forensic Science created; Director
Status: in_force

There is hereby created in the executive branch of state government, a Department of Forensic Science (the Department), which formerly existed as a division within the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The Department shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly if in session when such appointment is made, and if not in session, then at its next succeeding session. In making his appointment, the Governor shall choose a candidate meeting the qualifications recommended by the Forensic Science Board created pursuant to § 9.1-1109 . The Director shall serve for a term of six years, or until his successor shall be appointed and qualified. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

The Director, under the direction and control of the Governor, shall exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred or imposed upon him by law and perform such other duties required by the Governor or requested by the Forensic Science Board created pursuant to § 9.1-1109 .

2005, cc. 868 , 881 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-304 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 3 / Section 9.1-304
Rights nonexclusive
Status: in_force

The rights of firefighters and emergency medical technicians as set forth in this chapter shall not be construed to diminish the rights and privileges of firefighters or emergency medical technicians that are guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution and laws of the United States and the Commonwealth or limit the granting of broader rights by other law, ordinance or rule.

This section shall not abridge or expand the rights of firefighters or emergency medical technicians to bring civil suits for injuries suffered in the course of their employment as recognized by the courts, nor is it designed to abrogate any common law or statutory limitation on the rights of recovery.

1987, c. 509, § 2.1-116.9:4; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185.1
Inapplicability of this article
Status: in_force

This article shall not apply to a person who does not receive profit or consideration for his services.

2004, c. 460 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-923 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 9.1-923
Supplement to the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry established
Status: in_force

A. The Superintendent of State Police shall establish a Supplement to the Registry of information composed of persons who were convicted of an offense listed in subsection B on or after July 1, 1980, and before July 1, 1994, but whose names are not on the Registry. Access to the Supplement to the Registry shall be made available to the public on the website of the Department of State Police and shall contain the following information for each person: name, year of birth, the date of the conviction, the jurisdiction in which the conviction occurred, the person's age on the date of the conviction, the offense of which he was convicted, and the Code of Virginia section of the conviction.

B. Information on the following offenses where the conviction occurred on or after July 1, 1980, and before July 1, 1994, shall be listed in the Supplement: clause (i) of § 18.2-48 if the victim was a minor; clauses (ii) and (iii) of § 18.2-48 ; § 18.2-61 ; § 18.2-63 if the victim was under 13 years of age; subsection A of § 18.2-63 if the offender was more than five years older than the victim; §§ 18.2-67.1 , 18.2-67.2 , and 18.2-67.3 ; § 18.2-67.4 if the victim was a minor; subsections A and B of § 18.2-67.5 ; subsection C of § 18.2-67.5 if the victim was a minor; § 18.2-361 if the victim was a minor; and §§ 18.2-370 , 18.2-370.1 , and 18.2-374.1 .

C. Persons whose names and conviction information appear on the Supplement are not subject to the registration requirements of this chapter and are not considered persons for whom registration is required unless they are required to register pursuant to other provisions of this chapter.

D. A person whose name and conviction information appear on the Supplement may, regardless of the date of conviction, petition the circuit court in which he was convicted or the circuit court where he then resides for removal of his name and conviction information from the Supplement if the offense he was convicted of would qualify for removal from the Registry under § 9.1-910 . A petition may not be filed until all court ordered treatment, counseling, and restitution has been completed. The court shall obtain a copy of the petitioner's complete criminal history and then hold a hearing on the petition at which the applicant and any interested persons may present witnesses and other evidence. The Commonwealth shall be made a party to any action under this subsection. If after such a hearing, the court is satisfied that such person does not pose a risk to public safety, the court shall grant the petition. In the event the petition is not granted, the person shall wait at least 24 months from the date of denial to file a new petition for removal from the Supplement. The State Police shall remove from the Supplement the name and conviction information upon receipt of an order granting a petition pursuant to this subsection.

E. The Superintendent of State Police shall complete the Supplement to the Registry prior to January 1, 2016.

2015, cc. 594 , 603 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1101.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-1101.1
Purchase of forensic laboratory services
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department may make and enter into contracts or agreements for forensic laboratory services with any laboratory located in the Commonwealth that is operated by an institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth or a corporate entity that is wholly owned by an institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth, which institution offers a program leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. No such contract or agreement for forensic laboratory services shall be made or entered into with any other laboratory, except as provided in subsection B.

B. The Department may request, and the Director of the Division of Purchases and Supply of the Department of General Services may grant, an exemption from the provisions of subsection A if (i) a laboratory described in subsection A does not meet the reasonable requirements of the Department; (ii) a laboratory described in subsection A cannot provide the forensic laboratory services required by the Department; (iii) forensic laboratory services identical to those provided by the laboratory described in subsection A can be obtained at a cost that is at least 10 percent less than the cost of obtaining such forensic laboratory services from the laboratory described in subsection A, as evidenced by a verified request for pricing; or (iv) in cases in which the Department has issued a Request for Proposals, a proposal submitted by a laboratory other than a laboratory described in subsection A has received a ranking that is at least 10 percent higher than the ranking of any laboratory described in subsection A. In any case in which an exemption is granted pursuant to this subsection, the Director of the Division of Purchases and Supply of the Department of General Services shall submit a written justification for the exception to the Directors of the Department of Forensic Science and the Department of General Services.

2019, cc. 478 , 479 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-177 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 9 / Section 9.1-177
Form of oath of office for local community-based probation officers
Status: in_force

Every local community-based probation officer who is an employee of a local community-based probation agency, established by any city, county or combination thereof, or operated pursuant to this article, that provides probation and related services pursuant to the requirements of this article, shall take an oath of office as prescribed in § 49-1 before entering the duties of his office. The oath of office shall be taken before any general district or circuit court judge in any city or county that has established services for the judicial system pursuant to this article.

2000, c. 1040 , § 53.1-182.1:1; 2001, c. 844 ; 2007, c. 133 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-163 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 7 / Section 9.1-163
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2011, cc. 821 and 854 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-114.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-114.1
Compliance with minimum training standards by school resource officers
Status: in_force

Every full-time or part-time law-enforcement officer employed as a school resource officer after July 1, 2020, shall comply with the compulsory minimum training standards for school resource officers established by the Board within a period of time fixed by the Board. The Department shall ensure that such required training is available throughout the Commonwealth.

2019, cc. 487 , 488 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-208.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 9.1-208.1
Volunteer Fire Department Training Fund
Status: in_force

There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Volunteer Fire Department Training Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of assisting or reimbursing volunteer fire departments or volunteer fire companies with the costs of training and certifying volunteer firefighters. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Fire Programs.

2022, c. 765 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1104 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-1104
Rights of accused person or his attorney to results of investigation or to investigation
Status: in_force

Upon the request of any person accused of a crime or upon the request of an accused person's attorney, the Department or the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services shall furnish to the accused or his attorney the results of any investigation that has been conducted by it and that is related in any way to a crime for which the person is accused. In any case in which an attorney of record for a person accused of violation of any criminal law of the Commonwealth, or the accused, may desire a scientific investigation, he shall, by motion filed before the court in which the charge is pending, certify that in good faith he believes that a scientific investigation may be relevant to the criminal charge and that the Department or the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services has indicated it has a methodology to perform the requested scientific investigation. The motion shall be heard ex parte as soon as practicable, and the court shall, after a hearing upon the motion and being satisfied as to the correctness of the certification, order that the same be performed by the Department or the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services and shall prescribe in its order the method of custody, transfer, and return of evidence submitted for scientific investigation. Upon the request of the attorney for the Commonwealth of the jurisdiction in which the charge is pending, he shall be furnished the results of the scientific investigation.

2005, cc. 868 , 881 ; 2024, c. 210 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-207.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 9.1-207.1
Firefighting foam management
Status: in_force

A. For purposes of this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Class B firefighting foam" means a foam designed for flammable liquid fires.

"Local government" includes any locality, fire district, regional fire protection authority, or other special purpose district that provides firefighting services.

"PFAS chemicals" means, for the purposes of firefighting agents, a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom and designed to be fully functional in class B firefighting foam formulations, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

"Testing" includes calibration testing, conformance testing, and fixed system testing.

B. Beginning July 1, 2021, no person, local government, or agency of the Commonwealth shall discharge or otherwise use class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals (i) for testing purposes, unless otherwise required by law or by the agency having jurisdiction over the testing facility, and with the condition that the testing facility has implemented appropriate containment, treatment, and disposal measures to prevent uncontrolled releases of foam to the environment or (ii) for training purposes, where such foam shall be replaced by nonfluorinated training foams.

C. No provision of this section shall restrict (i) the manufacture, sale, or distribution of class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals or (ii) the discharge or other use of such foams in emergency firefighting or fire prevention operations.

2019, c. 838 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-906 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 9.1-906
Enrollment or employment at institution of higher education; information required
Status: in_force

A. Persons required to register, reregister, or verify their registration information who are enrolled in or employed at institutions of higher education shall, in addition to other registration requirements, indicate on their registration, reregistration, and verification form the name and location of the institution attended by or employing the registrant whether such institution is within or without the Commonwealth. In addition, persons required to register, reregister, or verify their registration information shall notify the local law-enforcement agency in person within three days of any change in their enrollment or employment status with an institution of higher education. The local law-enforcement agency shall forthwith forward to the State Police all necessary registration or reregistration information received by it.

B. Upon receipt of a registration, reregistration, or verification of registration information indicating enrollment or employment with an institution of higher education or notification of a change in status, the State Police shall notify the chief law-enforcement officer of the institution's law-enforcement agency or, if there is no institutional law-enforcement agency, the local law-enforcement agency serving that institution, of the registration, reregistration, verification of registration information, or change in status. The law-enforcement agency receiving notification under this section shall make such information available upon request.

C. For purposes of this section:

"Employment" includes full- or part-time, temporary or permanent or contractual employment at an institution of higher education either with or without compensation.

"Enrollment" includes both full- and part-time.

"Institution of higher education" means any postsecondary school, trade or professional institution, or institution of higher education.

2003, c. 584 ; 2006, cc. 857 , 914 ; 2020, c. 829 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185.6 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185.6
Licenses; renewal
Status: in_force

A. A license granted to a bondsman by the Department shall authorize such person to enter into bonds, as defined in § 19.2-119 , in any county or city in the Commonwealth.

B. Every bail bondsman license issued pursuant to this article shall be for a term of two years.

C. A bail bondsman license may be renewed for an ensuing two-year period, upon the filing of an application in the form prescribed by the Department and payment of the nonrefundable renewal application processing fee prescribed by the Department. In addition, applicants for renewal of a bail bondsman license shall undergo a criminal history background check as set out in subdivision B 3 of § 9.1-185.5 and shall provide all other documentation listed in subsections C and D of § 9.1-185.5 as the Department deems appropriate.

D. On or before the first day of the month prior to the month his license is due to expire, the licensee shall make application for license renewal and shall at that time pay the renewal application fee.

E. Any license not renewed by its expiration date shall terminate on such date.

2004, c. 460 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-106 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-106
Regional Criminal Justice Academy Training Fund; local fee
Status: in_force

There is created a special nonreverting fund to be administered by the Department, known as the Regional Criminal Justice Academy Training Fund. This Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller and any funds remaining in such Fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the general fund, but shall remain in the Fund. Interest earned on the Fund shall be credited to the Fund. The Fund shall consist of moneys forwarded to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Fund as provided in §§ 16.1-69.48:1 , 17.1-275.1 , 17.1-275.2 , 17.1-275.3 , 17.1-275.4 , 17.1-275.7 , 17.1-275.8 , and 17.1-275.9 , which sums shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the Fund. Money in the Fund shall be used to provide financial support for regional criminal justice training academies, and shall be distributed as directed by the Department. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, nothing in this section shall prohibit a locality from charging a similar fee if the locality does not participate in a regional criminal justice training academy and if the locality was operating a certified independent criminal justice academy as of July 1, 2012.

Any and all funds from such local fee shall support the local academy.

Existing funds for the regional criminal justice training academies shall not be reduced by either state or local entities as a result of the enactment of Chapter 215 of the Acts of Assembly of 1997.

1997, c. 215 , § 14.1-133.4; 1998, c. 872 , § 9-178.2; 1999, c. 546 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2003, cc. 993 , 1028 ; 2010, c. 746 ; 2014, cc. 375 , 431 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-186.10 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 12 / Section 9.1-186.10
Uniforms and identification; standards and restrictions
Status: in_force

A. A bail enforcement agent shall not wear, carry, or display any uniform, badge, shield, or other insignia or emblem that implies he is an agent of state, local, or federal government.

B. A bail enforcement agent shall wear or display only identification issued by, or whose design has been approved by, the Department.

2004, c. 397 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-116.7 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-116.7
Expired
Status: in_force

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 335 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-401.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 4 / Section 9.1-401.1
Supplemental short-term disability benefit for state police officers
Status: in_force

A state police officer who is a participating employee, as defined in § 51.1-1100 , and who incurs a work-related injury in the line of duty, shall receive supplemental short-term disability coverage, pursuant to § 51.1-1121 , that provides income replacement for 100 percent of the officer's creditable compensation for the first six months and, pursuant to a certification by the Superintendent of State Police, based on a medical evaluation, that the officer is likely to return to service within another six months, up to one calendar year, that the officer is disabled, without regard to the officer's number of months of state service. Except as provided in this section with regard to the rate of income replacement and the duration of supplemental short-term disability coverage, such state police officers shall be eligible for work-related, supplemental short-term disability benefits upon the same terms and conditions that apply to other participating employees pursuant to Article 4 (§ 51.1-1119 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 51.1. Upon the expiration of the one-calendar-year period, such state police officers shall be eligible for supplemental long-term disability benefits as provided in § 51.1-1123 .

2010, c. 654 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-705 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 7 / Section 9.1-705
Limitation of actions
Status: in_force

Actions brought under this chapter shall be commenced within two years of the date the unpaid compensation was due, or if the violation is willful, within three years of the date the unpaid compensation was due.

2001, c. 768 , § 2.1-116.9:12.
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-300 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 3 / Section 9.1-300
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Emergency medical services personnel" means any person who holds a valid certificate issued by the Commissioner and who is employed solely within the fire department, emergency medical services agency, or public safety department of an employing agency as a full-time emergency medical services personnel whose primary responsibility is the provision of emergency care to the sick and injured, using either basic or advanced techniques. Emergency medical services personnel may also provide fire protection services and assist in the enforcement of the fire prevention code.

"Employing agency" means any municipality of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, including authorities and special districts, that employs firefighters and emergency medical services personnel.

"Firefighter" means any person who is employed solely within the fire department or public safety department of an employing agency as a full-time firefighter whose primary responsibility is the prevention and extinguishment of fires, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of local and state fire prevention codes and laws pertaining to the prevention and control of fires.

"Interrogation" means any questioning of a formal nature as used in Chapter 4 (§ 9.1-500 et seq.) that could lead to dismissal, demotion, or suspension for punitive reasons of a firefighter or emergency medical services personnel.

1987, c. 509, § 2.1-116.9:1; 2001, c. 844 ; 2015, cc. 502 , 503 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-187 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 13 / Section 9.1-187
Establishment of crisis intervention team programs
Status: in_force

A. By January 1, 2010, the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, utilizing such federal or state funding as may be available for this purpose, shall support the development and establishment of crisis intervention team programs in areas throughout the Commonwealth. Areas may be composed of any combination of one or more localities or institutions of higher education contained therein that may have law-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-101 . The crisis intervention teams shall assist law-enforcement officers in responding to crisis situations involving persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both. The goals of the crisis intervention team programs shall be:

1. Providing immediate response by specially trained law-enforcement officers;

2. Reducing the amount of time officers spend out of service awaiting assessment and disposition;

3. Affording persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both, a sense of dignity in crisis situations;

4. Reducing the likelihood of physical confrontation;

5. Decreasing arrests and use of force;

6. Identifying underserved populations with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both, and linking them to appropriate care;

7. Providing support and assistance for mental health treatment professionals;

8. Decreasing the use of arrest and detention of persons experiencing mental health and/or substance abuse crises by providing better access to timely treatment;

9. Providing a therapeutic location or protocol for officers to bring individuals in crisis for assessment that is not a law-enforcement or jail facility;

10. Increasing public recognition and appreciation for the mental health needs of a community;

11. Decreasing injuries to law-enforcement officers during crisis events;

12. Reducing inappropriate arrests of individuals with mental illness in crisis situations; and

13. Decreasing the need for mental health treatment in jail.

B. The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall establish criteria for the development of crisis intervention teams that shall include assessment of the effectiveness of the area's plan for community involvement, training, and therapeutic response alternatives and a determination of whether law-enforcement officers have effective agreements with mental health care providers and all other community stakeholders.

C. By November 1, 2009, the Department, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall submit to the Joint Commission on Health Care a report outlining the status of the crisis intervention team programs, including copies of any requests for proposals and the criteria developed for such areas.

2009, c. 715 ; 2012, c. 776 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-208 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 9.1-208
Agreements between Department and other agencies
Status: in_force

The Department is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with federal agencies, other state agencies, and political subdivisions for services related to enforcement and administration of laws, rules, or regulations or ordinances of such agencies affecting fire safety in public buildings.

2007, cc. 647 , 741 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-116.11 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-116.11
(Effective July 1, 2027) Substantial Risk Order Training Program; annual report
Status: in_force

A. The Department of Criminal Justice Services shall establish the Substantial Risk Order Training Program (the Program) for the purposes of training personnel of law-enforcement agencies and other public institutions throughout the Commonwealth on the proper use and implementation of the substantial risk order law pursuant to Chapter 9.2 (§ 19.2-152.13 et seq.) of Title 19.2. The Program shall provide training regarding proper procedures to follow, the circumstances under which the substantial risk order law can be used, the benefits to public safety from proper use of the law, and the harm that may ensue from the law not being used when lawfully available. Additionally, the Program shall be used to train other important parties on the proper use of the law, including mental health professionals, emergency health care providers, public elementary and secondary school personnel, and threat assessment teams at public institutions of higher education. The Program shall also include efforts to educate the public on the substantial risk order law and increase awareness via (i) outreach to community members and organizations, (ii) development and distribution of Program literature, and (iii) publication of best practices for the use of the law.

B. The Department shall report by November 1 each year to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security regarding the use of Program funds, details of the content of programming developed, and the effectiveness of the Program in assisting law-enforcement agencies and other public institutions in the use of the substantial risk order law.

2026, c. 696 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-186.6 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 12 / Section 9.1-186.6
Licenses; renewal
Status: in_force

A. A license granted to a bail enforcement agent by the Department shall authorize such person to engage in the business of bail recovery.

B. Every bail enforcement agent license issued pursuant to this article shall be for a term of two years.

C. A bail enforcement agent license may be renewed for an ensuing two-year period, upon the filing of an application in the form prescribed by the Department and payment of the nonrefundable renewal application processing fee prescribed by the Department. In addition, applicants for renewal of a bail enforcement agent's license shall provide all other documentation as the Department deems appropriate, including but not limited to, a criminal history background check.

D. On or before the first day of the month prior to the month his license is due to expire, the licensee shall make application for license renewal and shall at that time pay the renewal application fee.

E. Any license not renewed by its expiration date shall terminate on such date.

F. Prior to license renewal, bail enforcement agents shall be required to complete eight hours of continuing education approved by the Department.

2004, c. 397 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Agent" means a person who is a licensed bail bondsman who has been given power of attorney to act on the behalf of a licensed property bail bondsman.

"Bail bondsman" means any person who is licensed by the Department who engages in the business of bail bonding and is thereby authorized to conduct business in all courts of the Commonwealth.

"Board" means the Criminal Justice Services Board.

"Certificate" means a certificate issued by a judge on or before June 30, 2005, pursuant to former § 19.2-152.1 .

"Department" means the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

"Property bail bondsman" means a person licensed pursuant to this article who, for compensation, enters into a bond or does so through his agent and who pledges real property, cash or certificates of deposit issued by a federally insured institution, or any combination thereof as security for a bond as defined in § 19.2-119 that has been posted to assure performance of terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail.

"Surety bail bondsman" means a person licensed pursuant to this article who is also licensed by the State Corporation Commission as a property and casualty insurance agent, and who sells, solicits, or negotiates surety insurance as defined in § 38.2-121 on behalf of insurers licensed in the Commonwealth, pursuant to which the insurer becomes surety on or guarantees a bond, as defined in § 19.2-119 , that has been posted to assure performance of terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail.

2004, c. 460 ; 2007, c. 708 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-109 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-109
Administration of federal programs
Status: in_force

The Board is designated as the supervisory board and the Department is designated as the planning and coordinating agency responsible for the implementation and administration of any federal programs for strengthening and improving law enforcement, the administration of criminal justice, and delinquency prevention and control throughout the Commonwealth.

1981, c. 632, § 9-171; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-184 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 10 / Section 9.1-184
Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety created; duties
Status: in_force

A. From such funds as may be appropriated, the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (the Center) is hereby established within the Department. The Center shall:

1. Provide training for Virginia public school personnel in school safety, on evidence-based antibullying tactics based on the definition of bullying in § 22.1-276.01 , and in the effective identification of students who may be at risk for violent behavior and in need of special services or assistance;

2. Serve as a resource and referral center for Virginia school divisions by conducting research, sponsoring workshops, and providing information regarding current school safety concerns, such as conflict management and peer mediation, bullying as defined in § 22.1-276.01 , school facility design and technology, current state and federal statutory and regulatory school safety requirements, and legal and constitutional issues regarding school safety and individual rights;

3. Maintain and disseminate information to local school divisions on effective school safety initiatives in Virginia and across the nation;

4. Develop a case management tool for the collection and reporting of data by threat assessment teams pursuant to § 22.1-79.4 ;

5. Collect, analyze, and disseminate various Virginia school safety data, including school safety audit information submitted to it pursuant to § 22.1-279.8 , collected by the Department and, in conjunction with the Department of Education, information relating to the activities of school resource officers submitted pursuant to § 22.1-279.10 ;

6. Encourage the development of partnerships between the public and private sectors to promote school safety in Virginia;

7. Provide technical assistance to Virginia school divisions in the development and implementation of initiatives promoting school safety, including threat assessment-based protocols with such funds as may be available for such purpose;

8. Develop a memorandum of understanding between the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to ensure collaboration and coordination of roles and responsibilities in areas of mutual concern, such as school safety audits and crime prevention;

9. Provide training for and certification of school security officers, as defined in § 9.1-101 and consistent with § 9.1-110 ;

10. Develop, in conjunction with the Department of State Police, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and the Department of Education, a model critical incident response training program for public school personnel and others providing services to schools that shall also be made available to private schools in the Commonwealth;

11. In consultation with the Department of Education, provide schools with a model policy for the establishment of threat assessment teams, including procedures for the assessment of and intervention with students whose behavior poses a threat to the safety of school staff or students to include specific education and training for threat assessment team members, within existing annual training, on the use of emergency substantial risk orders and substantial risk orders as set forth in Chapter 9.2 (§ 19.2-152.13 et seq.) of Title 19.2 to address the risk of harm to self or others posed by a student's access to a firearm;

12. Develop a model memorandum of understanding setting forth the respective roles and responsibilities of local school boards and local law-enforcement agencies regarding the use of school resource officers. Such model memorandum of understanding may be used by local school boards and local law-enforcement agencies to satisfy the requirements of subsection A of § 22.1-280.2:3 ; and

13. Designate an employee of the Center as the school personnel safety official for the Commonwealth whose duty is to compile, maintain, and make publicly available a list of each division safety official designated and the contact information for such individual included in each collated packet of school safety audits received pursuant to subsection B of § 22.1-279.8 . Such school personnel safety official for the Commonwealth shall at least annually confirm with each division superintendent that such contact information is up to date and accurate.

B. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall cooperate with the Center and, upon request, assist the Center in the performance of its duties and responsibilities.

2000, c. 519 , § 9-173.21; 2001, cc. 436 , 440 , 844 ; 2002, cc. 836 , 868 ; 2012, cc. 281 , 433 ; 2013, cc. 676 , 710 ; 2014, cc. 7 , 92 , 158 ; 2019, cc. 39 , 455 , 456 , 502 ; 2020, cc. 169 , 1039 ; 2022, c. 769 ; 2023, cc. 282 , 283 ; 2026, c. 46 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-186.2 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 12 / Section 9.1-186.2
Powers of Department and Board relating to bail enforcement agents
Status: in_force

A. The Board shall have full regulatory authority and oversight of bail enforcement agents.

B. The Board shall adopt regulations establishing compulsory minimum, entry-level and in-service training and education for bail enforcement agents. The regulations may include provisions allowing the Department to inspect the facilities and programs of persons conducting training to ensure compliance with the law and regulations. In establishing compulsory training standards for bail enforcement agents, the Board shall ensure the public safety and welfare against incompetent or unqualified persons engaging in the activities regulated by this article. The regulations may provide for exemption from training of persons having previous employment as law-enforcement officers for a local, state or the federal government. However, no such exemption shall be granted for any person whose employment as a law-enforcement officer was terminated because of his misconduct or incompetence. The regulations may include provisions for partial exemption from such training for persons having previous training that meets or exceeds the minimum training standards and has been approved by the Department.

C. The Board shall adopt regulations that are necessary to ensure respectable, responsible, safe and effective bail enforcement within the Commonwealth and shall include but not be limited to regulations that: (i) establish qualifications of applicants for licensure and renewal under this article; (ii) examine, or cause to be examined, the qualifications of each applicant for licensure, including when necessary the preparation, administration, and grading of examinations; (iii) levy and collect nonrefundable fees for licensure and renewal that are sufficient to cover all expenses for administration and operation of a program of licensure; (iv) ensure continued competency and prevent deceptive or misleading practices by practitioners; (v) administer the regulatory system; (vi) provide for receipt of complaints concerning the conduct of any person whose activities are regulated by the Board; (vii) provide for investigations, and appropriate disciplinary action if warranted; (viii) establish professional conduct standards, firearms training and usage standards, uniform and identification standards, reporting standards, and standards for the recovery and capture of bailees; (ix) allow the Board to revoke, suspend or refuse to renew a license for just cause; and (x) establish an introductory training curriculum which includes search, seizure and arrest procedure, pursuit, arrest, detainment and transportation of a bailee, specific duties and responsibilities regarding entering an occupied structure, the laws and rules relating to the bail bond business, the rights of the accused, ethics and Virginia law and regulation. The Board shall adopt annual compulsory, minimum, firearms training standards for bail enforcement agents. In adopting its regulations, the Board shall seek the advice of the Private Security Services Advisory Board established pursuant to § 9.1-143 .

2004, c. 397 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185.4 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185.4
Limitations on licensure
Status: in_force

A. In order to be licensed as a bail bondsman a person shall (i) be 18 years of age or older, (ii) have received a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education, and (iii) have successfully completed the bail bondsman exam required by the Board or successfully completed prior to July 1, 2005, a surety bail bondsman exam required by the State Corporation Commission under former § 38.2-1865.7 .

B. The following persons are not eligible for licensure as bail bondsmen and may not be employed nor serve as the agent of a bail bondsman:

1. Persons who have been convicted of a felony within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored;

2. Employees of a local or regional jail;

3. Employees of a sheriff's office;

4. Employees of a state or local police department;

5. Persons appointed as conservators of the peace pursuant to Article 4.1 (§ 9.1-150.1 et seq.) of this chapter;

6. Employees of an office of an attorney for the Commonwealth;

7. Employees of the Department of Corrections, Department of Criminal Justice Services, or a local pretrial or community-based probation services agency; and

8. Spouses of or any persons residing in the same household as persons referred to in subdivisions 2 through 7 who are sworn officers or whose responsibilities involve direct access to records of inmates.

C. The exclusions in subsection B shall not be construed to limit the ability of a licensed bail bondsman to employ or contract with a licensed bail enforcement agent authorized to do business in the Commonwealth.

2004, c. 460 ; 2007, c. 133 ; 2008, c. 438 ; 2014, c. 84 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-161 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 6 / Section 9.1-161
Crime prevention specialists; duties
Status: in_force

The Board shall adopt regulations establishing minimum standards for certification of crime prevention specialists. Such regulations shall require that the chief law-enforcement officer of the locality or the campus police departments of institutions of higher education established by Article 3 (§ 23.1-809 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 23.1 wherein the person serves shall approve the certification before a candidate for certification may serve as a crime prevention specialist. A crime prevention specialist shall have the duty to:

1. Provide citizens living within his jurisdiction information concerning personal safety and the security of property, and other matters relating to the reduction of criminal opportunity;

2. Provide business establishments within his jurisdiction information concerning business and employee security, and other matters relating to reduction of criminal activity;

3. Provide citizens and businesses within his jurisdiction assistance in forming and maintaining neighborhood and business watch groups and other community-based crime prevention programs;

4. Provide assistance to other units of government within his jurisdiction in developing plans and procedures related to the reduction of criminal activity within government and the community; and

5. Promote the reduction and prevention of crime within his jurisdiction and the Commonwealth.

1994, cc. 60 , 868 , § 9-173.19; 2001, c. 844 ; 2004, c. 466 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-111 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-111
Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Prevention; membership; terms; quorum; compensation and expenses; duties
Status: in_force

A. The Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Prevention (the Advisory Committee) is established as an advisory committee in the executive branch of state government. The Advisory Committee shall have the responsibility for advising and assisting the Board, the Department, all agencies, departments, boards, and institutions of the Commonwealth, and units of local government, or combinations thereof, on matters related to the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency and the administration of juvenile justice in the Commonwealth.

The membership of the Advisory Committee shall comply with the membership requirements contained in the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 11133, as amended, and shall consist of the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; the Commissioner of Social Services; the Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice; the Superintendent of Public Instruction; the Commissioner of Health; one member of the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules after consideration of the recommendation of the Chairman of the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice; one member of the House Committee on Health and Human Services appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates after consideration of the recommendation of the Chairman of the House Committee on Health and Human Services; and such number of nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor to comply with the membership range established by such federal act. The Advisory Committee may serve as an advisory committee as may be required by other federal or state laws or programs administered by the Department. Membership shall be adjusted as necessary to fulfill the requirements of such laws or programs.

Legislative members, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the agency directors shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. All other members shall be citizens of the Commonwealth and be appointed by the Governor for a term of four years. However, no member shall serve beyond the time when he holds the office or employment by reason of which he was initially eligible for appointment.

The Advisory Committee shall elect its chairman and vice-chairman from among its members.

B. Gubernatorial appointed members of the Advisory Committee shall not be eligible to serve for more than two consecutive full terms. Three or more years within a four-year period shall be deemed a full term. Any vacancy on the Advisory Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, but for the unexpired term.

C. Twelve members of the Advisory Committee, including voting and nonvoting members, shall constitute a quorum.

The Advisory Committee may adopt bylaws for its operation.

D. Members of the Advisory Committee shall not receive compensation but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825 . Funding for the costs of the expenses shall be provided from federal or state funds received for such purposes by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

E. The Advisory Committee shall have the duty and responsibility to:

1. Review the operation of the juvenile justice system and delinquency prevention activities in the Commonwealth, including facilities and programs, and prepare appropriate reports;

2. Review statewide plans, conduct studies, and make recommendations on needs and priorities for the development and improvement of the juvenile justice system and delinquency prevention in the Commonwealth; and

3. Advise on all matters related to the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-415, as amended), and recommend such actions on behalf of the Commonwealth as may seem desirable to secure benefits of that or other federal programs for delinquency prevention and the administration of juvenile justice.

F. The Department of Criminal Justice Services shall provide staff support to the Advisory Committee. Upon request, each administrative entity or collegial body within the executive branch of the state government shall cooperate with the Advisory Committee as it carries out its responsibilities.

1981, c. 632, § 9-168; 1984, cc. 30, 515, 538, 734; 1986, c. 519; 1987, c. 144; 1989, c. 733; 1990, c. 98; 1991, cc. 59, 685; 1993, c. 415; 1994, cc. 20 , 226 ; 1997, cc. 32 , 795 , 883 ; 1999, c. 495 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2004, c. 1000 ; 2009, cc. 813 , 840 ; 2015, cc. 210 , 419 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-209 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2.1 / Section 9.1-209
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Cigarette" has the same meaning ascribed thereto in § 58.1-1031 .

"Department" means the Department of Taxation.

"Director" means the Executive Director of the Department of Fire Programs.

"Importer" has the same meaning ascribed thereto in 26 U.S.C. § 5702 (k).

"Manufacturer" means (i) a person who manufactures or otherwise produces, or causes to be manufactured or produced, cigarettes intended for sale in the Commonwealth, including cigarettes intended for sale in the United States through an importer; (ii) the first purchaser anywhere that intends to resell in the United States cigarettes that the original manufacturer or maker does not intend for sale in the United States; or (iii) the successor to a person listed in clause (i) or (ii).

"Package" has the same meaning ascribed thereto in 15 U.S.C. § 1332 (4).

"Quality control and quality assurance program" means laboratory procedures implemented to ensure that operator bias, systematic and nonsystematic methodological errors, and equipment-related problems do not affect the results of the testing, and the testing repeatability remains within the required repeatability value for any test trial used to certify cigarettes under this chapter.

"Repeatability" means the range of values within which the repeat results of cigarette test trials from a single laboratory will fall 95 percent of the time.

"Retailer" means a person who (i) sells cigarettes to consumers through vending machines on fewer than 40 premises; (ii) otherwise sells cigarettes to consumers; or (iii) holds cigarettes for sale to consumers.

"Vending machine operator" means a person who (i) holds cigarettes for sale to consumers through vending machines on 40 or more premises or (ii) sells cigarettes to consumers through vending machines on 40 or more premises.

"Wholesaler" means a person who (i) holds cigarettes for sale to another person for resale or (ii) sells cigarettes to another person for resale.

2014, cc. 370 , 418 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185.9 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185.9
Solicitation of business; standards; restrictions and requirements
Status: in_force

A. Only licensed bail bondsmen shall be authorized to solicit bail bond business in the Commonwealth.

B. A licensed bail bondsman shall not:

1. Solicit bail bond business by directly initiating contact with any person in any court, jail, lock-up, or surrounding government property.

2. Loiter by any jail or magistrate's office unless there on legitimate business.

3. Refer a client or a principal for whom he has posted bond to an attorney for financial profit or other consideration.

C. The Board shall adopt regulations as to what constitutes impermissible solicitations by bondsmen, their employees and agents.

2004, c. 460 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-800 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 8 / Section 9.1-800
Commonwealth Public Safety Medal of Valor
Status: in_force

There is hereby established the Commonwealth Public Safety Medal of Valor. The Governor may award and present the Commonwealth Public Safety Medal of Valor, of appropriate design with ribbons and appurtenances, to a Virginia public safety officer, dispatcher as defined in § 56-484.16:1 , or dispatcher employed by the Department of State Police for performance above and beyond the call of duty involving extraordinary valor in the face of grave danger, at great personal risk. The public safety officer, dispatcher as defined in § 56-484.16:1 , or dispatcher employed by the Department of State Police shall have exhibited uncommon valor, which clearly distinguishes the officer as performing above and beyond normal job requirements. The Commonwealth Public Safety Medal of Valor shall be the highest award for valor by a public safety officer, dispatcher as defined in § 56-484.16:1 , or dispatcher employed by the Department of State Police conferred by the Commonwealth. The Governor may select no more than three recipients for the Commonwealth Public Safety Medal of Valor award each year, unless the Governor determines that extraordinary circumstances warrant the selection of additional recipients.

2002, c. 150 ; 2024, c. 253 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1200 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 12 / Section 9.1-1200
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2011, cc, 780 and 858 , cl. 2, effective April 6, 2011.
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-186.4 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 12 / Section 9.1-186.4
Limitations on licensure
Status: in_force

A. In order to be licensed as a bail enforcement agent a person shall (i) be 21 years of age or older, (ii) have received a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education, and (iii) have satisfactorily completed a basic certification course in training for bail enforcement agents offered by the Department. Partial exemptions to the training requirements may be approved by the Department if the individual has received prior training.

B. The following persons are not eligible for licensure as a bail enforcement agent and may not be employed nor serve as agents for a bail enforcement agent:

1. Persons who have been convicted of a felony within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored.

2. Persons who have been convicted of any misdemeanor within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States within the preceding five years. This prohibition may be waived by the Department, for good cause shown, so long as the conviction was not for one of the following or a substantially similar misdemeanor: carrying a concealed weapon, assault and battery, sexual battery, a drug offense, driving under the influence, discharging a firearm, a sex offense, or larceny.

3. Persons who have been convicted of any misdemeanor within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, that is substantially similar to the following: brandishing a firearm or stalking. The Department may not waive the prohibitions under this subdivision 3.

4. Persons currently the subject of a protective order within the Commonwealth or another state.

5. Employees of a local or regional jail.

6. Employees of a sheriff's office, or a state or local police department.

7. Commonwealth's Attorneys, and any employees of their offices.

8. Employees of the Department of Corrections, Department of Criminal Justice Services, or a local pretrial or community-based probation services agency.

C. The exclusions in subsection B shall not be construed to prohibit law enforcement from accompanying a bail enforcement agent when he engages in bail recovery.

2004, c. 397 ; 2007, c. 133 ; 2014, c. 84 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-500 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 5 / Section 9.1-500
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Agency" means the Department of State Police, the Division of Capitol Police, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Virginia Port Authority, the Department of Wildlife Resources, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, or the Department of Motor Vehicles; or the political subdivision or the campus police department of any public institution of higher education of the Commonwealth employing the law-enforcement officer.

"Law-enforcement officer" means any person, other than a Chief of Police or the Superintendent of the Department of State Police, who, in his official capacity, is (i) authorized by law to make arrests and (ii) a nonprobationary officer of one of the following agencies:

a. The Department of State Police, the Division of Capitol Police, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Virginia Port Authority, the Department of Wildlife Resources, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, the Department of Motor Vehicles, or the Department of Conservation and Recreation;

b. The police department, bureau or force of any political subdivision or the campus police department of any public institution of higher education of the Commonwealth where such department, bureau or force has three or more law-enforcement officers; or

c. Any conservation police officer as defined in § 9.1-101 .

For the purposes of this chapter, "law-enforcement officer" shall not include the sheriff's department of any city or county.

1978, c. 19, § 2.1-116.1; 1979, c. 592; 1983, c. 357; 1995, c. 730 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2007, cc. 87 , 364 ; 2015, cc. 38 , 730 ; 2019, c. 489 ; 2020, c. 958 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-403 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 4 / Section 9.1-403
Claim for payment; costs
Status: in_force

A. Every beneficiary, disabled person or his spouse, or dependent of a deceased or disabled person shall present his claim to the chief officer, or his designee, of the employer for which the disabled or deceased person last worked on forms to be provided by VRS. Upon receipt of a claim, the chief officer or his designee shall forward the claim to VRS within seven days. The Virginia Retirement System shall determine eligibility for benefits under this chapter. The Virginia Retirement System may request assistance in obtaining information necessary to make an eligibility determination from the Department of State Police. The Department of State Police shall take action to conduct the investigation as expeditiously as possible. The Department of State Police shall be reimbursed from the Fund or the nonparticipating employer, as applicable, for the cost of searching for and obtaining information requested by VRS. The Virginia Retirement System shall be reimbursed for the reasonable costs incurred for making eligibility determinations by nonparticipating employers or from the Fund on behalf of participating employers, contributing nonprofit private institutions of higher education, or contributing private police departments, as applicable. If any nonparticipating employer fails to reimburse VRS for reasonable costs incurred in making an eligibility determination, VRS shall inform the State Comptroller and the affected nonparticipating employer of the delinquent amount. In calculating the delinquent amount, VRS may impose an interest rate of one percent per month of delinquency. The State Comptroller shall forthwith transfer such delinquent amount, plus interest, from any moneys otherwise distributable to such nonparticipating employer.

B. 1. Within 10 business days of being notified by an employee, or an employee's representative, that such employee is permanently and totally disabled due to a work-related injury suffered in the line of duty, the agency or department employing the employee shall provide him with information about the continued health insurance coverage provided under this chapter and the process for initiating a claim. The employer shall assist in filing a claim, unless such assistance is waived by the employee or the employee's representative.

2. Within 10 business days of having knowledge that a deceased person's surviving spouse, dependents, or beneficiaries may be entitled to benefits under this chapter, the employer for which the deceased person last worked shall provide the surviving spouse, dependents, or beneficiaries, as applicable, with information about the benefits provided under this chapter and the process for initiating a claim. The employer shall assist in filing a claim, unless such assistance is waived by the surviving spouse, dependents, or beneficiaries.

C. Within 30 days of receiving a claim pursuant to subsection A, an employer may submit to VRS any evidence that could assist in determining the eligibility of a claim. However, when the claim involves a presumption under § 65.2-402 or 65.2-402.1 , VRS shall provide an employer additional time to submit evidence as is necessary not to exceed nine months from the date the employer received a claim pursuant to subsection A. Any such evidence submitted by the employer shall be included in the agency record for the claim.

1995, c. 156 , § 2.1-133.8; 1998, c. 712 ; 2001, cc. 427 , 844 ; 2007, c. 90 ; 2009, cc. 393 , 580 ; 2016, c. 677 ; 2025, cc. 204 , 219 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-126 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 9.1-126
Application and construction of article
Status: in_force

A. This article shall apply to original or copied criminal history record information, maintained by a criminal justice agency of (i) the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions and (ii) the United States or another state or its political subdivisions which exchange such information with an agency covered in clause (i), but only to the extent of that exchange.

B. The provisions of this article shall not apply to original or copied (i) records of entry, such as police blotters, maintained by a criminal justice agency on a chronological basis and permitted to be made public, if such records are not indexed or accessible by name, (ii) court records of public criminal proceedings, including opinions and published compilations thereof, (iii) records of traffic offenses disseminated to or maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of regulating the issuance, suspension, revocation, or renewal of drivers' or other operators' licenses, (iv) statistical or analytical records or reports in which individuals are not identified and from which their identities cannot be ascertained, (v) announcements of executive clemency, pardons, or removals of political disabilities, (vi) posters, announcements, or lists for identifying or apprehending fugitives or wanted persons, (vii) criminal justice intelligence information, or (viii) criminal justice investigative information. Except as provided in §§ 15.2-1722 , 16.1-299 , and 19.2-390 , nothing contained in this article shall be construed as requiring any criminal justice agency to collect, maintain, or update criminal history record information, as defined in § 9.1-101 , when such information is already available and readily accessible from another criminal justice agency.

C. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as prohibiting a criminal justice agency from disclosing to the public factual information concerning the status of an investigation, the apprehension, arrest, release, or prosecution of an individual, the adjudication of charges, or the correctional status of an individual, which is related to the offense for which the individual is currently within the criminal justice system.

1981, c. 632, § 9-184; 2001, c. 844 ; 2007, c. 389 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-151 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 5 / Section 9.1-151
Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program; appointment of advisory committee
Status: in_force

A. There is established a Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program (the Program) that shall be administered by the Department. The Program shall provide services in accordance with this article to children who are subjects of judicial proceedings (i) involving allegations that the child is abused, neglected, in need of services, or in need of supervision or (ii) for the restoration of parental rights pursuant to § 16.1-283.2 and for whom the juvenile and domestic relations district court judge determines such services are appropriate. Court-Appointed Special Advocate volunteer appointments may continue for youth 18 years of age and older who are in foster care if the court has retained jurisdiction pursuant to subsection Z of § 16.1-241 or § 16.1-242 and the juvenile and domestic relations district court judge determines such services are appropriate. The Department shall adopt regulations necessary and appropriate for the administration of the Program.

B. The Board shall appoint an Advisory Committee to the Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program, consisting of 15 members, one of whom shall be a judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court or circuit court, knowledgeable of court matters, child welfare, and juvenile justice issues and representative of both state and local interests. The duties of the Advisory Committee shall be to advise the Board on all matters relating to the Program and the needs of the clients served by the Program, and to make such recommendations as it may deem desirable.

1990, c. 752, § 9-173.6; 1994, c. 24 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2013, cc. 338 , 685 ; 2014, c. 636 ; 2016, c. 202 ; 2020, cc. 95 , 732 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-911 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 9.1-911
Registry maintenance
Status: in_force

The Registry shall include conviction data received from the courts, including the disposition records for juveniles tried and convicted in the circuit courts pursuant to § 16.1-269.1 , on convictions for offenses for which registration is required and registrations, reregistrations, and verifications of registration information received from persons required to do so. The Registry shall also include a separate indication that a person has been convicted of a Tier III offense. The State Police shall forthwith transmit the appropriate information as required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for inclusion in the National Sex Offender Registry.

2003, c. 584 ; 2020, c. 829 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-205 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 9.1-205
Thermal Imaging Camera Grant Fund established
Status: in_force

A. From only such funds as are appropriated from the general fund by the General Assembly for this purpose and from such gifts, donations, grants, bequests and other funds as may be received on its behalf, there is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Thermal Imaging Camera Grant Fund, hereinafter referred to as the "VTIC Fund." No moneys from the Fire Programs Fund established pursuant to § 38.2-401 may be used or expended for the VTIC Fund. The VTIC Fund is established to assist the localities of the Commonwealth providing fire service operations in purchasing thermal imaging cameras and equipment associated with the use of thermal imaging cameras. The VTIC Fund shall be administered by the Department of Fire Programs and established on the books of the Comptroller. Any moneys remaining in the VTIC Fund at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the VTIC Fund. Moneys in the VTIC Fund shall not be diverted or expended for any purpose not authorized by this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, policies established by the Virginia Fire Services Board, and any grants provided from the VTIC Fund, that are not inconsistent with the purposes set out in this section shall be binding upon any locality that accepts such funds or related grants. Expenditures for administration of and disbursements from the VTIC Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Fire Programs or his designee.

B. When, and only if, funds are available in the VTIC Fund, a Virginia Thermal Imaging Camera Advisory Panel (the Panel) shall be convened to make recommendations to the Department of Fire Programs for the use of the VTIC Fund. The Panel shall consist of eleven members as follows: three members from the State Fire Chief's Association, three members from the Virginia Professional Firefighters Association and three members from the Virginia State Firefighters Association, appointed by the Fire Services Board from a list of names submitted by each such organization. At least two members shall be appointed from each of the fire program areas established by the Department of Fire Programs. The Panel shall be selected annually only if moneys are available in the VTIC Fund and shall report directly to the Executive Director of the Department of Fire Programs. The Panel shall not have any responsibility or authority over any other matters not specified in this section. Members of the Panel shall not receive compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses in the discharge of their duties.

2002, c. 721 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-116.01 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-116.01
Universal certification for certain law-enforcement officers
Status: in_force

A. Any sworn law-enforcement officer with at least one year of law-enforcement experience (i) whose training qualifications meet or exceed current training standards established by the Board in accordance with this article and who is in compliance with §§ 15.2-1705 and 15.2-1706 , (ii) who has not had a break in service of more than 24 months, and (iii) who is leaving the transferring law-enforcement agency in good standing with no pending investigations or disciplinary actions shall be eligible for employment at any law-enforcement agency within the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof. Any such law-enforcement officer shall complete any other training as determined to be necessary by the Board to ensure understanding of the criminal laws and all other laws of the Commonwealth.

B. Prior to any conditional offer of employment, the hiring law-enforcement agency shall request from all prior employing law-enforcement agencies any information (i) related to an arrest or prosecution of the applicant law-enforcement officer, including any expunged arrest or criminal charge known to the agency or disclosed during the hiring process that would otherwise be prohibited from disclosure in accordance with § 19.2-392.4 ; (ii) related to a civil suit regarding the applicant law-enforcement officer's employment or performance of his duties; (iii) obtained during the course of any internal investigation related to the applicant law-enforcement officer's alleged criminal conduct, use of excessive force, or other official misconduct in violation of the state professional standards of conduct adopted by the Board; and (iv) related to the applicant law-enforcement officer's job performance that led to such officer's resignation, dismissal, demotion, suspension, or transfer. The hiring law-enforcement agency shall employ all reasonable means to obtain personnel records for law-enforcement officers transferring from an out-of-state or federal law-enforcement agency, including requiring the applicant law-enforcement officer (a) to complete a waiver or release liability authorizing the hiring law-enforcement agency to request such information as listed in this subsection from all prior employing law-enforcement agencies and (b) to provide a full disclosure of any incidents or information that such prior employing law-enforcement agencies have been requested to disclose as listed in this subsection.

Upon the receipt of all requested information by the hiring law-enforcement agency, the applicant law-enforcement officer shall complete a sworn declaration that the provided information or records are, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, a true, correct, and complete response to such request.

C. In addition, the hiring law-enforcement agency may require a candidate for employment to undergo a psychological examination, subsequent to a conditional offer of employment, conducted under the supervision of a licensed psychiatrist or a licensed clinical psychologist.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any sworn law-enforcement officer may be granted an exemption in accordance with the provisions of § 9.1-116 and may be subject to the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board.

2024, cc. 542 , 581 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185.17 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185.17
Department submissions to local and regional correctional facilities
Status: in_force

Once a year, the Department shall provide to each local and regional correctional facility a list of all licensed bail bondsmen in the Commonwealth. The list shall consist of each bondsman's individual name, the name of the bondsman's business and the address where the bondsman's office is physically located. The Department shall update the list monthly and have the list available on its website.

2004, c. 460 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-150.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 4.1 / Section 9.1-150.1
Definitions
Status: in_force

In addition to the definitions set forth in § 9.1-101 , as used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Special conservator of the peace" means any individual appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13 on or after September 15, 2004.

2003, c. 922 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-130 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 9.1-130
Procedures to be adopted by agencies maintaining criminal justice information systems
Status: in_force

Each criminal justice agency maintaining and operating a criminal justice information system shall adopt procedures reasonably designed to ensure:

1. The physical security of the system and the prevention of unauthorized disclosure of the information in the system;

2. The timeliness and accuracy of information in the system;

3. That all criminal justice agencies to which criminal offender record information is disseminated or from which it is collected are currently and accurately informed of any correction, deletion, or revision of such information;

4. Prompt purging or sealing of criminal offender record information when required by state or federal statute, regulation, or court order;

5. Use or dissemination of criminal offender record information by criminal justice agency personnel only after it has been determined to be the most accurate and complete information available to the criminal justice agency.

1981, c. 632, § 9-191; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185.13 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185.13
Documentation and recordkeeping standards and requirements
Status: in_force

A. The bail bondsman shall retain, for a minimum of the three calendar years from the date of the termination of the liability:

1. Copies of all written representations made to any court or to any public official for the purpose of avoiding a forfeiture of bail, setting aside a forfeiture, or causing a defendant to be released on his own recognizance.

2. Copies of all affidavits and receipts made in connection with collateral received in the course of business.

3. Evidence of the return of any security or collateral received in the course of business, including a copy of the receipt showing when and to whom the collateral was returned.

B. Upon request of the Department, a bail bondsman shall provide any documents required to be kept pursuant to this section.

2004, c. 460 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-186.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 12 / Section 9.1-186.1
Inapplicability of article
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article shall not apply to licensed bail bondsmen nor to law-enforcement officers.

2004, c. 397 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-302 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 3 / Section 9.1-302
Breach of procedures
Status: in_force

Evidence gathered through the conduct of an interrogation that violates the provisions of this chapter shall not be admissible in any administrative hearing against a firefighter or emergency medical services personnel.

1987, c. 509, § 2.1-116.9:5; 2001, c. 844 ; 2015, cc. 502 , 503 ; 2019, cc. 831 , 841 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-143 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 4 / Section 9.1-143
Private Security Services Advisory Board; membership
Status: in_force

The Private Security Services Advisory Board is established as an advisory board within the meaning of § 2.2-2100 , in the executive branch of state government. The Private Security Services Advisory Board shall consist of 15 members as follows: two members shall be private investigators; two shall be representatives of electronic security businesses; two members shall be representatives of locksmith businesses; three shall be representatives of private security services businesses providing security officers, armed couriers, detector canine handlers, or security canine handlers; one shall be a representative of a private security services business providing armored car personnel; one shall be a representative of a private security services business involving personal protection specialists; one shall be a certified private security services instructor; one shall be a special conservator of the peace appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13 ; one shall be a licensed bail bondsman and one shall be a representative of law enforcement. The Private Security Services Advisory Board shall be appointed by the Criminal Justice Services Board and shall advise the Criminal Justice Services Board on all issues relating to regulation of private security services businesses.

1976, c. 737, § 54-729.30; 1977, c. 376, § 54.1-1904; 1984, cc. 57, 779; 1985, c. 448; 1988, c. 765; 1992, c. 578, § 9-183.5; 1994, c. 810 ; 1997, c. 79 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2003, c. 922 ; 2004, c. 460 ; 2008, c. 638 ; 2009, c. 375 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-405 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 4 / Section 9.1-405
Appeal from decision of Virginia Retirement System
Status: in_force

Any beneficiary, disabled person or eligible spouse or eligible dependent of a deceased or disabled person aggrieved by the decision of VRS may appeal the decision through a process established by VRS. Any such process may utilize a medical board as described in § 51.1-124.23 , provided that for any medical review conducted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, each member of such medical board shall be a licensed health practitioner, as defined in § 9.1-404 . An employer may submit information related to the claim and may participate in any informal fact-finding proceeding that is included in such process established by VRS. Upon completion of the appeal process, the final determination issued by VRS shall constitute a case decision as defined in § 2.2-4001 . Any beneficiary, disabled person, or eligible spouse or eligible dependent of a deceased or disabled person aggrieved by, and claiming the unlawfulness of, such case decision shall have a right to seek judicial review thereof in accordance with Article 5 (§ 2.2-4025 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act. The employer shall not have a right to seek such judicial review.

1995, cc. 156 , 597 , § 2 .1-133.10; 1998, c. 712 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2016, c. 677 ; 2022, c. 484 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-186.9 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 12 / Section 9.1-186.9
Firearms, training and usage; standards and requirements
Status: in_force

A. If a bail enforcement agent chooses to carry a firearm, either concealed or visible, in the course of his duties, he shall be required to:

1. First complete basic firearms training, as defined by the Board; and

2. Receive ongoing in-service firearms training, as defined by the Board.

B. In the event a bail enforcement agent discharges a firearm during the course of his duties, he shall report it to the Department within 24 business hours.

2004, c. 397 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-203 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 9.1-203
Powers and duties of Virginia Fire Services Board; limitation
Status: in_force

A. The Board shall have the responsibility for promoting the coordination of the efforts of fire service organizations at the state and local levels. To these ends, it shall have the following powers and duties to:

1. Ensure the development and implementation of the Virginia Fire Prevention and Control Plan;

2. Review and approve a five-year statewide plan for fire education and training;

3. Approve the criteria for and disbursement of any grant funds received from the federal government and any agencies thereof and any other source and to disburse such funds in accordance therewith;

4. Provide technical assistance and advice to local fire departments, other fire services organizations, and local governments through Fire and Emergency Medical Services studies done in conjunction with the Department of Fire Programs;

5. Advise the Department of Fire Programs on and adopt personnel standards for fire services personnel;

6. Advise the Department of Fire Programs on the Commonwealth's statewide plan for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data relating to fires in the Commonwealth;

7. Make recommendations to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security concerning legislation affecting fire prevention and protection and fire services organizations in Virginia;

8. Evaluate all fire prevention and protection programs and make any recommendations deemed necessary to improve the level of fire prevention and protection in the Commonwealth;

9. Advise the Department of Fire Programs on the Statewide Fire Prevention Code;

10. Investigate alternative means of financial support for volunteer fire departments and advise jurisdictions regarding the implementation of such alternatives; and

11. Develop a modular training program for volunteer firefighters for adoption by local volunteer fire departments that shall include (i) Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II certification pursuant to standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and (ii) an online training program.

B. Except for those policies established in § 38.2-401 , compliance with the provisions of § 9.1-201 and this section and any policies or guidelines enacted pursuant thereto shall be optional with, and at the full discretion of, any local governing body and any volunteer fire department or volunteer fire departments operating under the same corporate charters.

1978, c. 606, § 9-155; 1981, c. 154; 1984, c. 734; 1986, c. 60; 1988, c. 133; 1997, c. 791 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2012, cc. 164 , 456 ; 2014, cc. 115 , 490 ; 2018, c. 403 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-114.2 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-114.2
Compliance with minimum training standards and reporting requirements for detector canine handlers and detector canines
Status: in_force

Within a period of time established by the Board, every correctional officer employed by the Department of Corrections who performs the duties of a detector canine handler shall comply with the compulsory minimum training standards for detector canine handlers, and the Department of Corrections shall ensure that any canines used at state correctional facilities are trained in accordance with the compulsory training standards established by the Board. Each state correctional facility shall submit information to the central database on the performance and effectiveness of detector canines as required by the Board. The Department shall ensure that such required training is available throughout the Commonwealth.

2020, c. 535 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-900 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 9.1-900
Purpose of the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
Status: in_force

The purpose of the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry (Registry) shall be to assist the efforts of law-enforcement agencies and others to protect their communities and families from repeat offenders and to protect children from becoming victims of criminal offenders by helping to prevent such individuals from being allowed to work directly with children.

2003, c. 584 ; 2020, c. 829 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-149 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 4 / Section 9.1-149
Unlicensed activity prohibited; penalty
Status: in_force

A. No person:

1. Required to possess a registration under subsection C of § 9.1-139 shall be employed by a private security services business, except as provided in this article, as armored car personnel, courier, armed security officer, security canine handler, personal protection specialist, private investigator, alarm respondent, central station dispatcher, electronic security sales representative or electronic security technician without possessing a valid registration.

2. Licensed or required to be licensed under subsection A of § 9.1-139 shall employ or otherwise utilize, except as provided in this article, as armored car personnel, courier, armed security officer, security canine handler, personal protection specialist, private investigator, alarm respondent, central station dispatcher, electronic security sales representative or electronic security technician, any person not possessing a valid registration.

3. Required to possess an instructor certification under subsection D of § 9.1-139 shall provide mandated instruction, except as provided in § 9.1-141 and Board regulations, without possessing a valid private security instructor certification.

4. Certified or required to be certified as a private security services training school under subsection B of § 9.1-139 shall employ or otherwise utilize, except as provided in § 9.1-141 and Board regulations, as a private security instructor, any person not possessing a valid instructor certification.

B. No compliance agent employed or otherwise utilized by a person licensed or required to be licensed under subsection A of § 9.1-139 shall:

1. Employ or otherwise utilize as an unarmed security officer, except as provided in this article, any individual for whom the compliance agent does not possess documentary evidence of compliance with, or exemption from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board for unarmed security officers and before January 1, 2003, maintain documentary evidence that an investigation to determine suitability has been conducted.

2. Employ or otherwise utilize as an electronic security technician's assistant, except as provided in this article, any individual for whom the compliance agent does not possess documentary evidence of compliance with, or exemption from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board for electronic security technician's assistants.

C. Any person convicted of a violation of subsections A or B shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

1976, c. 737, § 54-729.34; 1980, c. 425, § 54.1-1908; 1988, cc. 48, 765; 1992, c. 578, § 9-183.9; 1994, cc. 45 , 810 ; 1995, c. 79 ; 1998, cc. 122 , 807 ; 2001, c. 844 ; 2002, cc. 578 , 597 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-185.7 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 11 / Section 9.1-185.7
Licensure of nonresidents
Status: in_force

A. All nonresident transfers and applicants for a bail bondsman license shall satisfy all licensing requirements for residents of the Commonwealth.

B. For the purposes of this article, any individual whose physical place of residence and physical place of business are in a county or city located partly within the Commonwealth and partly within another state may be considered as meeting the requirements as a resident of the Commonwealth, provided the other state has established by law or regulation similar requirements as to residence of such individuals.

2004, c. 460 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-107 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-107
Powers and duties of Director
Status: in_force

A. The Director shall be charged with executive and administrative responsibility to (i) carry out the specific duties imposed on the Department under § 9.1-102 and (ii) maintain appropriate liaison with federal, state and local agencies and units of government, or combinations thereof, in order that all programs, projects and activities for strengthening and improving law enforcement and the administration of criminal justice may function effectively at all levels of government.

B. In addition, the Director shall have the power and duty to:

1. Accept grants from the United States government and agencies and instrumentalities thereof, and any other source. To these ends, the Department shall have the power to comply with such conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable.

2. In accordance with the standards of classification of the Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.), employ and fix the salaries of Department personnel and enter into contracts for services necessary in the performance of the Department's functions.

3. Do all acts necessary or convenient to carry out the purpose of this chapter and to assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under § 9.1-102 .

C. The Director shall be the Executive Director of the Board, but shall not be a member of the Board.

1981, c. 632, §§ 9-176, 9-177; 1984, c. 720; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-105 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-105
Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdictions Fund
Status: in_force

There is created a special nonreverting fund to be administered by the Department, known as the Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdictions Fund. This Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller and any funds remaining in such Fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Interest earned on the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.

1990, c. 971, § 14.1-133.3; 1998, c. 872 , § 9-178.1; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-150.2 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 4.1 / Section 9.1-150.2
Powers of Criminal Justice Services Board relating to special conservators of the peace appointed pursuant to § 19.2-13
Status: in_force

The Board shall adopt regulations establishing compulsory minimum, entry-level, in-service, and advanced training standards for special conservators of the peace. The regulations may include provisions delegating to the Board's staff the right to inspect the facilities and programs of persons conducting training to ensure compliance with the law and its regulations. In establishing compulsory training standards for special conservators of the peace, the Board shall require training to be obtained at a criminal justice training academy established pursuant to § 15.2-1747 , or at a private security training school certified by the Department, and shall ensure the public safety and welfare against incompetent or unqualified persons engaging in the activities regulated by this section. The regulations may provide for exemption from training of persons having previous employment as law-enforcement officers for a state or the federal government. However, no such exemption shall be granted to persons having less than five continuous years of such employment, nor shall an exemption be provided for any person whose employment as a law-enforcement officer was terminated because of his misconduct or incompetence or who has been decertified as a law-enforcement officer. The regulations may include provisions for exemption from such training for persons having previous training that meets or exceeds the minimum training standards and has been approved by the Department. The Board may also adopt regulations that (i) establish the qualifications of applicants for registration; (ii) cause to be examined the qualifications of each applicant for registration; (iii) provide for collection of fees for registration and renewal that are sufficient to cover all expenses for administration and operation of a program of registration; (iv) ensure continued competency and prevent deceptive or misleading practices by practitioners; (v) effectively administer the regulatory system promulgated by the Board; (vi) provide for receipt of complaints concerning the conduct of any person whose activities are regulated by the Board; (vii) provide for investigations, and appropriate disciplinary action if warranted; and (viii) allow the Board to revoke, suspend or refuse to renew a registration, certification, or license for just cause as enumerated in regulations of the Board. The Board shall adopt compulsory, entry-level training standards that shall not exceed, but shall be a minimum of 98 hours for unarmed special conservators of the peace and that shall not exceed, but shall be a minimum of 130 hours for armed special conservators of the peace. In adopting its regulations, the Board shall seek the advice of the Private Security Services Advisory Board established pursuant to § 9.1-143 .

2003, c. 922 ; 2015, cc. 766 , 772 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-110 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-110
School Resource Officer Grants Program and School Resource Officer Incentive Grants Fund
Status: in_force

A. From the funds appropriated for such purpose and from the gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf, there is established (i) the School Resource Officer Grants Program, to be administered by the Board, in consultation with the Board of Education, and (ii) a special nonreverting fund within the state treasury known as the School Resource Officer Incentive Grants Fund, hereinafter known as the "Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller, and any moneys remaining in the Fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Interest earned on such funds shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it.

Subject to the authority of the Board to provide for its disbursement, the Fund shall be disbursed to award matching grants to local law-enforcement agencies and local school boards that have established a collaborative agreement in accordance with § 22.1-280.2:3 to employ uniformed school resource officers, as defined in § 9.1-101 , school security officers, as defined in § 9.1-101 , and other relevant school safety personnel within the relevant school division or law-enforcement agency as determined by the Department. Grants may be awarded for the expenses related to the equipment necessary for such uniformed school resource officers, school security officers, and other relevant school safety personnel and the enhancement of the school-law enforcement partnership through training and programming as determined by the Department, provided, however, that such grants shall not be used for any expense related to the purchase of firearms, handcuffs or other wrist restraints, or any stun weapon as defined in § 18.2-308.1 .

The Board may disburse annually up to five percent of the Fund for the training of the school resource officers. School resource officers shall be certified law-enforcement officers and shall be employed to help ensure safety and prevent truancy and violence in schools.

B. The Board shall establish criteria for making grants from the Fund, including procedures for determining the amount of a grant and the required local match. Any grant of general funds shall be matched by the locality on the basis of the composite index of local ability to pay. The Board may adopt guidelines governing the Program and the employment and duties of the school resource officers as it deems necessary and appropriate.

1999, c. 512 , § 9-171.1; 2000, c. 785 ; 2001, cc. 33 , 844 ; 2002, cc. 836 , 868 ; 2016, c. 466 ; 2023, cc. 609 , 610 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-135 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 9.1-135
Civil remedies for violation of this chapter or Chapter 23 of Title 19.2
Status: in_force

A. Any person may institute a civil action in the circuit court of the jurisdiction in which the Board has its administrative headquarters, or in the jurisdiction in which any violation is alleged to have occurred:

1. For actual damages resulting from violation of this article or to restrain any such violation, or both.

2. To obtain appropriate equitable relief against any person who has engaged, is engaged, or is about to engage in any acts or practices in violation of Chapter 23 (§ 19.2-387 et seq.) of Title 19.2, this chapter or rules or regulations of the Board.

B. This section shall not be construed as a waiver of the defense of sovereign immunity.

1981, c. 632, § 9-194; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-501 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 5 / Section 9.1-501
Conduct of investigation
Status: in_force

The provisions of this section shall apply whenever an investigation by an agency focuses on matters which could lead to the dismissal, demotion, suspension or transfer for punitive reasons of a law-enforcement officer:

1. Any questioning of the officer shall take place at a reasonable time and place as designated by the investigating officer, preferably when the officer under investigation is on duty and at the office of the command of the investigating officer or at the office of the local precinct or police unit of the officer being investigated, unless matters being investigated are of such a nature that immediate action is required.

2. Prior to the officer being questioned, he shall be informed of (i) the name and rank of the investigating officer and of any individual to be present during the questioning and (ii) the nature of the investigation.

3. When a blood or urine specimen is taken from a law-enforcement officer for the purpose of determining whether the officer has used drugs or alcohol, the specimen shall be divided and placed into two separate containers. One specimen shall be tested while the other is held in a proper manner to preserve the specimen by the facility collecting or testing the specimen. Should the first specimen test positive, the law-enforcement officer shall have the right to require the second specimen be sent to a laboratory of his choice for independent testing in accordance generally with the procedures set forth in §§ 18.2-268.1 through 18.2-268.12 . The officer shall notify the chief of his agency in writing of his request within 10 days of being notified of positive specimen results. The laboratory chosen by the officer shall be accredited or certified by one or more of the following: the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT), or an accrediting body that requires conformance to forensic-specific requirements and that is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement with a scope of accreditation that covers the testing being performed.

1978, c. 19, § 2.1-116.2; 1992, c. 221; 1993, c. 229; 2001, c. 844 ; 2005, cc. 868 , 881 ; 2019, c. 474 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-186.13 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 12 / Section 9.1-186.13
Penalties, criminal and monetary
Status: in_force

Any person who engages in bail recovery in the Commonwealth without a valid license issued by the Department is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A third conviction under this section is a Class 6 felony.

Any person who violates any statute or Board regulation who is not criminally prosecuted shall be subject to the monetary penalty provided in this section. If the Board determines that a respondent is guilty of the violation complained of, the Board shall determine the amount of the monetary penalty for the violation, which shall not exceed $2,500 for each violation. The penalty may be sued for and recovered in the name of the Commonwealth.

2004, c. 397 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-703 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 7 / Section 9.1-703
Hours of work
Status: in_force

For purposes of computing fire protection or law-enforcement employees' entitlement to overtime compensation, all hours that an employee works or is in a paid status during his regularly scheduled work hours shall be counted as hours of work. The provisions of this section pertaining to law-enforcement employees shall only apply to such employees of an employer of 100 or more law-enforcement employees.

2001, c. 768 , § 2.1-116.9:10; 2005, c. 732 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1107 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-1107
Disposal of certain other property after analysis
Status: in_force

Personal property, including drugs, not disposed of under § 9.1-1106 , that has been submitted to the Department for analysis or examination and that has not been reclaimed by the agency submitting the property for analysis or examination, may be disposed of by the Department in accordance with this section if, after the expiration of 120 days after the receipt by the Department of the property, the Director notifies the circuit court of the county or city from which the property was taken, in writing, that the analysis or examination has been completed, and a report submitted to the agency that the property has not been reclaimed by the agency submitting it and that the Department proposes to dispose of the property. The notice shall state the nature of the property, the quantity thereof, the location where seized, the name of the accused, if known, and the proposed method of disposing of the property.

When the ownership of the property is known, a copy of the notice shall be sent simultaneously with the notice to the court to the owner, or, if any criminal charge is pending in any court relating to the property, the copy shall be sent to the accused at his last known address. Notice shall be by certified mail. The court, within 30 days after receipt of the notice, may direct that the property be disposed of by the Department, by an alternative method designed to preserve the property, at the expense of the agency submitting the property to the Department. If the court does not so direct within the 30-day period, then the Department may dispose of the property by the method set out in the notice. Copies of the analysis report and notice shall be made a part of the record of any criminal prosecution. The report, if sworn to, shall be admissible as evidence to the same extent as the disposed-of property would have been admissible.

2005, cc. 868 , 881 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-100 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-100
Department of Criminal Justice Services
Status: in_force

A. There is created a Department of Criminal Justice Services (the "Department") that shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The Director shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

B. The Director of the Department shall, under the direction and control of the Governor, exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred or imposed upon him by law and perform such other duties required by the Governor or the Criminal Justice Services Board.

1981, c. 632, §§ 9-174, 9-175, 9-176; 1984, c. 720; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-136 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 9.1-136
Criminal penalty for violation
Status: in_force

Any person who willfully and intentionally requests, obtains, or seeks to obtain criminal history record information under false pretenses, or who willfully and intentionally disseminates or seeks to disseminate criminal history record information to any agency or person in violation of this article or Chapter 23 (§ 19.2-387 et seq.) of Title 19.2, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

1981, c. 632, § 9-195; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-908 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 9.1-908
Duration of registration requirement
Status: in_force

Any person required to register, reregister, or verify his registration information shall be required to register until the duty to register, reregister, or verify his registration information is terminated by a court order as set forth in § 9.1-910 , except that any person who has been convicted of (i) any Tier III offense, (ii) murder or (iii) former § 18.2-67.2:1 shall have a continuing duty to reregister or verify his registration information for life.

Any period of confinement in a federal, state, or local correctional facility, hospital, or any other institution or facility during the otherwise applicable period shall toll the registration or verification period and the duty to reregister or verify his registration information shall be extended. Persons confined in a federal, state, or local correctional facility shall not be required to reregister or verify his registration information until released from custody. Persons civilly committed pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 37.2-900 et seq.) of Title 37.2 shall not be required to reregister or verify his registration information until released from custody. Persons confined in a federal, state, or local correctional facility or civilly committed pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 37.2-900 et seq.) of Title 37.2 shall notify the Registry within three days following any change of name.

2003, c. 584 ; 2005, c. 631 ; 2006, cc. 857 , 914 ; 2007, c. 718 ; 2008, c. 877 ; 2010, c. 858 ; 2014, c. 677 ; 2020, c. 829 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-509 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 5.1 / Section 9.1-509
Conduct of investigation; notice of charges
Status: in_force

A. Whenever an investigation focuses on matters that could lead to the dismissal, demotion, suspension, or transfer for punitive reasons of a correctional officer:

1. Any questioning shall take place at a reasonable time and place, preferably when the correctional officer under investigation is on duty; and

2. Prior to the questioning of the correctional officer, he shall be informed of (i) the name and job title of the investigator, (ii) the name and job title of any other individual to be present during the questioning, and (iii) the nature of the investigation.

B. After questioning pursuant to subsection A but before any dismissal, demotion, suspension, or transfer for punitive reasons may be imposed, the following rights shall be afforded:

1. The correctional officer shall be notified in writing of all charges, the basis therefor, and the action that may be taken;

2. The correctional officer shall be given an opportunity, within a reasonable time limit after the date of receipt of the written notice required by subdivision 1, to respond orally and in writing to the charges. The time limit shall be determined by the Department of Corrections, but in no event shall it be less than three calendar days unless agreed to by the correctional officer; and

3. In making his response, the correctional officer may be assisted by counsel at his own expense or by a representative.

C. The correctional officer shall also be given written notification of his right to initiate a grievance under the grievance procedure established by the Department of Human Resource Management or his right to request a hearing under this chapter. A copy of the grievance procedure, as well as instructions on how to proceed to a hearing under this chapter, shall be provided to the correctional officer upon his request.

D. No provision of this section shall apply to any person conducting a criminal investigation or to any correctional officer under investigation for criminal conduct.

2018, cc. 761 , 762 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1103 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-1103
Forensic Science Academy
Status: in_force

The Forensic Science Academy, formerly within the Division of Forensic Science, shall be transferred to the Department, and shall provide advanced training to law-enforcement agencies in the location, collection, and preservation of evidence.

2005, cc. 868 , 881 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1109 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 11 / Article 2 / Section 9.1-1109
Forensic Science Board; membership
Status: in_force

A. The Forensic Science Board (the Board) is established as a policy board within the meaning of § 2.2-2100 , in the executive branch of state government. The Board shall consist of 15 members as follows:

1. The Superintendent of the Virginia State Police or his designee;

2. The Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services or his designee;

3. The Chief Medical Examiner or his designee;

4. The Executive Director of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy or his designee;

5. The Attorney General, or his designee;

6. The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia or his designee;

7. The Chairman of the Virginia State Crime Commission or his designee;

8. The Director of the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services or his designee;

9. The Chairman of the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice or his designee;

10. The Chairman of the House Committee for Courts of Justice or his designee;

11. Two members of the Scientific Advisory Committee, chosen by the chairman of that committee; and

12. Three members, appointed by the Governor, from among the citizens of the Commonwealth as follows:

a. A member of law enforcement;

b. A member of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys; and

c. A member who is a criminal defense attorney having specialized knowledge in the area of forensic sciences.

B. The legislative members shall serve for terms coincident with their terms of office.

C. The members appointed by the Governor shall serve for terms of four years, provided that no member shall serve beyond the time when he holds the office or employment by reason of which he was initially eligible for appointment. Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, but for the unexpired term. A member appointed by the Governor shall serve after expiration of his term until his successor is appointed.

D. Notwithstanding any provision of any statute, ordinance, local law, or charter provision to the contrary, membership on the Board shall not disqualify any member from holding any other public office or employment, or cause the forfeiture thereof.

E. The Board shall elect its chairman and vice-chairman. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. Members shall be paid reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Legislative members shall receive compensation as provided in § 30-19.12 and nonlegislative citizen members shall receive compensation for their services as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825 .

F. The Board shall hold no less than four regular meetings a year. Subject to the requirements of this subsection, the chairman of the Board shall fix the times and places of meetings, either on his own motion or upon written request of any five members of the Board.

2005, cc. 868 , 881 ; 2009, c. 323 ; 2016, c. 199 ; 2026, c. 202 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-200 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 9.1-200
Department of Fire Programs
Status: in_force

There is created a Department of Fire Programs that shall be headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the Governor to serve at his pleasure. The Department shall be the designated state agency to receive and disburse any funds available to the Commonwealth under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act (P. L. 93-498).

1978, c. 606, § 9-153; 1980, c. 728; 1981, c. 154; 1984, c. 720; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-915 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 9.1-915
Regulations
Status: in_force

The Superintendent of State Police shall promulgate regulations and develop forms to implement and enforce this chapter; including the operation and maintenance of the Registry and the removal of records on persons who are deceased, whose convictions have been reversed or who have been pardoned, and those for whom an order of removal or relief from frequent registration has been entered. Such regulations and forms shall not be subject to the provisions of Article 2 (§ 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

2003, c. 584 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-706 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 7 / Section 9.1-706
Sovereign immunity
Status: in_force

The immunity of the Commonwealth and of any "agency" as defined in § 8.01-195.2 is hereby preserved.

2001, c. 768 , § 2.1-116.9:13.
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1502 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 15 / Section 9.1-1502
Proceedings for Enforcement of Chapter
Status: in_force

A. A certifying agency or certifying official acting or failing to act in good faith in compliance with this chapter shall have immunity from civil or criminal liability that may otherwise occur as a result of so acting or failing to act, except for gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

B. If a certifying agency fails to respond within the statutory timeframes or refuses to certify that an applicant was a victim of qualifying criminal activity, the applicant may petition a circuit court to review the determination of the certifying agency within 30 days of such determination or within 30 days of the expiration of the statutory timeframe in subsection D. The circuit court shall conduct an evidentiary hearing on such petition within 30 days of the filing of the petition. Upon conducting a hearing and the circuit court being satisfied that the applicant having proven their eligibility for completion of a certification form by a preponderance of the evidence and the circuit court having found that the certifying agency's refusal to sign was unreasonable, a circuit court judge may execute the certification form. In assessing the reasonableness of the certifying agency's decision or failure to respond, the circuit court may consider whether the applicant has complied with the terms of this section and whether circumstances exist that would justify a deferral of a decision including whether a certification would jeopardize an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution or the safety of an individual, cause a suspect to flee or evade detection, result in the destruction of evidence, or the applicant's cooperation is not complete.

Upon finding that the certifying agency denied the application without a factual or legal justification, or failed to respond to the applicant, the circuit court shall make an award of reasonable costs and attorney fees to a prevailing applicant. Such determination shall be without prejudice to any future proceeding premised upon a material change in circumstances.

C. Any petition filed pursuant to subsection B, along with the record of all hearings and all other pleadings and papers filed, and orders entered in connection with such petition shall be kept under seal by the clerk unless otherwise ordered by the court.

D. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to alter or diminish the duties and requirements of a law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101 , the attorney for the Commonwealth, or the Attorney General from disclosing exculpatory information to a defendant in a criminal case.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 468 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-131 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 9.1-131
Annual audits
Status: in_force

The Board shall ensure that annual audits are conducted of a representative sample of state and local criminal justice agencies to ensure compliance with this article and Board regulations. The Board shall adopt such regulations as may be necessary for the conduct of audits, the retention of records to facilitate such audits, the determination of necessary corrective actions, and the reporting of corrective actions taken.

1981, c. 632, § 9-186; 1984, cc. 30, 734; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-207 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 9.1-207
Inspection of certain state-owned, state-operated, or state-licensed facilities; enforcement of safety standards
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the State Fire Marshal, upon presenting appropriate credentials, shall make annual inspections for hazards incident to fire in all (i) residential care facilities operated by any state agency, (ii) assisted living facilities licensed or subject to licensure pursuant to Chapter 18 (§ 63.2-1800 et seq.) of Title 63.2 that are not inspected by the local fire marshal, (iii) student residence facilities owned or operated by a public institution of higher education, and (iv) public schools that are not inspected by the local fire marshal. In the event that any such facility or residence is found to be nonconforming to the Statewide Fire Prevention Code, the State Fire Marshal or local fire marshal may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the issuance of an injunction.

2007, cc. 647 , 741 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-917 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 9.1-917
Limitation on liability
Status: in_force

No liability shall be imposed upon any law-enforcement official who disseminates information or fails to disseminate information in good faith compliance with the requirements of this chapter, but this provision shall not be construed to grant immunity for gross negligence or willful misconduct.

2003, c. 584 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1101.2 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-1101.2
Possession or transfer of unlawful items by Department employees while engaged in the performance of official duties
Status: in_force

Whenever the possession or transfer of any item or material is prohibited by law, such prohibition shall not apply to any Department employee who possesses or transfers such prohibited item or material while engaged in the performance of his official duties.

2019, c. 507 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-1112 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 11 / Article 2 / Section 9.1-1112
Meetings and chairman
Status: in_force

The Committee shall meet twice a year and at such other times as it determines or as directed by the Governor or the Forensic Science Board. A chairman shall be elected from among the members appointed by the Governor. Staff to the Committee shall be provided by the Department of Forensic Science.

2005, cc. 868 , 881 ; 2026, c. 202 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-213 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 2.1 / Section 9.1-213
Provision of copies of certifications and illustration of the packaging markings; inspections
Status: in_force

A. Each manufacturer shall:

1. Provide a copy of each certification to each wholesaler to which the manufacturer sells cigarettes; and

2. Provide sufficient copies of an illustration of the packaging marking approved and used by the manufacturer in accordance with § 9.1-212 for each retailer and vending machine operator who purchases cigarettes from the wholesaler.

B. The wholesaler shall provide a copy of the illustration to each retailer and vending machine operator to whom the wholesaler sells cigarettes.

C. Each retailer, vending machine operator, and wholesaler shall allow the Director or designee of the Director to inspect the markings on cigarette packaging at any time.

2014, cc. 370 , 418 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-149.1 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 4 / Section 9.1-149.1
Unlawful advertisement for regulated services; notice; penalty
Status: in_force

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to place before the public through any medium an advertisement for services in the Commonwealth requiring a license, certification, or registration under this article unless the individual who will perform such services possesses the necessary license, certification, or registration at the time of the posting.

B. Whenever the Board receives information that an advertisement has been placed in violation of this section, the Board shall provide notice to the entity publishing the advertisement to the public.

C. Any person who is convicted of a violation of subsection A is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

2014, c. 396 .
Va. Code Ann. § 9.1-116.9 — Virginia Code / Title 9.1 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 9.1-116.9
Establishment of Task Force on Fentanyl and Heroin Enforcement
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created the Task Force on Fentanyl and Heroin Enforcement (the Task Force), which shall consist of (i) two members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; (ii) two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; (iii) the Attorney General, or his designee; (iv) the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, or his designee; (v) the Director of the Department, or his designee; (vi) the Superintendent of State Police, or his designee; (vii) a representative of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police; (viii) a representative of the Virginia Sheriffs' Association; and (ix) an attorney for the Commonwealth representing the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys. The Task Force shall annually elect a chairman from among its members.

B. The purpose of the Task Force is to study ways to enhance the ability of law-enforcement officers throughout the Commonwealth to combat the illegal manufacturing, importation, and distribution of fentanyl, heroin, and other similar controlled substances.

C. The Task Force shall meet at least annually and upon call of the chairman and shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1 of each year regarding its activities and any recommendations.

2024, c. 771 .