reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 2.2-3319 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 33 - State Holidays and Other Special Days|§ 2.2-3319. American Indian Month and Day of Appreciation

The month of November shall be designated as "American Indian Month" in Virginia, to honor the culture and heritage of the American Indian, to recognize the historic and continuing contribution of that heritage to American society, and in particular to commemorate the special place of the tribes native to Virginia in the life and history of the Commonwealth. Further, the Wednesday immediately preceding Thanksgiving of each year is designated a special Day of Appreciation for American Indians residing in the Commonwealth.1987, c. 292, § 2.1-27.4; 1988, c. 685; 1996, c. 1020; 1997, c. 451; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3320 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 33 - State Holidays and Other Special Days|§ 2.2-3320. Month for Children in Virginia

The month of May shall be designated as the "Month for Children" in Virginia to focus on children's special contributions to family, school, and community; to counter the manifold ills that afflict children in the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world; and to encourage the citizens of Virginia to rededicate themselves and to redouble their efforts to improve the lives and ensure the futures of children everywhere.1997, cc. 432, 442, § 2.1-27.9; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3321 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 33 - State Holidays and Other Special Days|§ 2.2-3321. Virginia Mushroom Festival

The Annual Front Royal and Warren County Mushroom Festival, in conjunction with the Appalachian Mushroom Growers Association's annual meeting, is designated as the Virginia Mushroom Festival, and shall be designated as the official state mushroom festival within the Commonwealth.1987, c. 593, § 2.1-27.5; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3322 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 33 - State Holidays and Other Special Days|§ 2.2-3322. Office hours to be in accordance with executive orders of Governor

The offices of all state officers, departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, divisions and institutions in the executive branch of state government required by law to maintain regular business quarters at the seat of government shall be kept open for the transaction of public business in accordance with executive orders issued by the Governor.This section shall not apply to the offices of the legislative and judicial departments of the state government.Code 1950, § 2-23; 1966, c. 677, § 2.1-29; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3400 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 34 - Interpreters for the Deaf in Agency Proceedings|§ 2.2-3400. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:"Agency" means any state board, department, commission, agency or other unit of state government except a county, city, town or any agency thereof."Deaf person" means any person whose hearing is so seriously impaired as to prohibit the person from understanding oral communications spoken in a normal conversational tone.1978, c. 602, § 2.1-570; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3401 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 34 - Interpreters for the Deaf in Agency Proceedings|§ 2.2-3401. Agency proceedings and determinations; application for licenses and services

A. In the case of any agency proceeding or determination as to whether there is a violation of law or regulation by a deaf person or whether such person may obtain or retain a license or other right or benefit, and when the agency or deaf person requests an interpreter for the deaf, the agency shall request the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing to appoint a qualified interpreter or shall appoint such an interpreter from a list of qualified interpreters supplied by the Department to interpret the proceedings to the deaf person and to interpret any testimony the deaf person may give.B. Whenever a deaf person applies for or receives any license, service, assistance or other right or benefit provided by an agency, the agency shall either request the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing to appoint a qualified interpreter for the deaf or appoint such an interpreter from the list of qualified interpreters maintained by the Department to assist the deaf person in communicating with agency personnel.1978, c. 602, §§ 2.1-571, 2.1-572; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3402 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 34 - Interpreters for the Deaf in Agency Proceedings|§ 2.2-3402. How interpreters paid

An interpreter for the deaf appointed pursuant to § 2.2-3401 shall be paid by the agency out of such state and federal funds as may be available for the purpose or, if the agency has insufficient funds to pay an interpreter, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing may appoint and pay an interpreter from the funds it may have available for the purpose.1978, c. 602, § 2.1-573; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3500 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 35 - Information Technology Access Act|§ 2.2-3500. Findings; policy

A. The General Assembly finds that (i) the advent of the information age throughout the United States and around the world has resulted in lasting changes in information technology; (ii) use of interactive visual display terminals by state and state-assisted organizations is becoming a widespread means of access for employees and the public to obtain information available electronically, but nonvisual access, whether by speech, Braille, or other appropriate means has been overlooked in purchasing and deploying the latest information technology; (iii) presentation of electronic data solely in a visual format is a barrier to access by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, preventing them from participating on equal terms in crucial areas of life, such as education and employment; (iv) alternatives, including both software and hardware adaptations, have been created so that interactive control of computers and use of the information presented is possible by both visual and nonvisual means; and (v) the goals of the state in obtaining and deploying the most advanced forms of information technology properly include universal access so that the segments of society with particular needs (including individuals unable to use visual displays) will not be left out of the information age.B. It is the policy of the Commonwealth that all covered entities shall conduct themselves in accordance with the following principles: (i) individuals who are blind or visually impaired have the right to full participation in the life of the Commonwealth, including the use of advanced technology that is provided by such covered entities for use by employees, program participants, and members of the general public, and (ii) technology purchased in whole or in part with funds provided by the Commonwealth to be used for the creation, storage, retrieval, or dissemination of information and intended for use by employees, program participants, and members of the general public shall be adaptable for access by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The implementation of nonvisual access technology under this chapter shall be determined on a case-by-case basis as the need arises.1999, cc. 769, 773, § 2.1-807; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3501 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 35 - Information Technology Access Act|§ 2.2-3501. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:"Access" means the ability to receive, use, and manipulate data and operate controls included in information technology."Blind" or "visually impaired" individual means an individual who has: (i) a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses or has a limited field of vision so that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees; (ii) a medically indicated expectation of visual deterioration; or (iii) a medically diagnosed limitation in visual functioning that restricts the individual's ability to read and write standard print at levels expected of individuals of comparable ability."Covered entity" means all state agencies, public institutions of higher education, and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth."Information technology" means all electronic information processing hardware and software, including telecommunications."Nonvisual" means synthesized speech, Braille, and other output methods not requiring sight."Public broadcasting services" means the acquisition, production, and distribution by public broadcasting stations of noncommercial educational, instructional, informational, or cultural television and radio programs and information that may be transmitted by means of electronic communications, and related materials and services provided by such stations."Telecommunications" means the transmission of information, images, pictures, voice, or data by radio, video, or other electronic or impulse means, but does not include public broadcasting.1999, cc. 769, 773, § 2.1-808; 2001, c. 844; 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2016, c. 296.
VA Code § 2.2-3502 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 35 - Information Technology Access Act|§ 2.2-3502. Assurance of nonvisual access

In general, the head of each covered entity shall ensure that information technology equipment and software used by blind or visually impaired employees, program participants, or members of the general public (i) provide access (including interactive use of the equipment and services) that is equivalent to that provided to individuals who are not blind or visually impaired; (ii) are designed to present information (including prompts used for interactive communications) in formats adaptable to both visual and nonvisual use; and (iii) have been purchased under a contract that includes the technology access clause required pursuant to § 2.2-3503.1999, cc. 769, 773, § 2.1-809; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3503 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 35 - Information Technology Access Act|§ 2.2-3503. Procurement requirements

A. The technology access clause specified in clause (iii) of § 2.2-3502 shall be developed by the Secretary of Administration and shall require compliance with the nonvisual access standards established in subsection B. The clause shall be included in all future contracts for the procurement of information technology by, or for the use of, entities covered by this chapter on or after the effective date of this chapter.B. At a minimum, the nonvisual access standards shall include the following: (i) the effective, interactive control and use of the technology (including the operating system), applications programs, and format of the data presented, shall be readily achievable by nonvisual means; (ii) the technology equipped for nonvisual access shall be compatible with information technology used by other individuals with whom the blind or visually impaired individual interacts; (iii) nonvisual access technology shall be integrated into networks used to share communications among employees, program participants, and the public; and (iv) the technology for nonvisual access shall have the capability of providing equivalent access by nonvisual means to telecommunications or other interconnected network services used by persons who are not blind or visually impaired. A covered entity may stipulate additional specifications in any procurement.Compliance with the nonvisual access standards shall not be required if the head of a covered entity determines that (a) the information technology is not available with nonvisual access because the essential elements of the information technology are visual and (b) nonvisual equivalence is not available.1999, cc. 769, 773, § 2.1-810; 2001, c. 844; 2020, c. 738.
VA Code § 2.2-3504 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 35 - Information Technology Access Act|§ 2.2-3504. Implementation

A. The head of any covered entity may, with respect to nonvisual access software or peripheral devices, approve the exclusion of the technology access clause only to the extent that the cost of the software or devices for the covered entity would increase the total cost of the procurement by more than five percent. All exclusions of the technology access clause from any contract shall be reported annually to the Secretary of Administration.B. The acquisition and installation of hardware, software, or peripheral devices used for nonvisual access when the information technology is being used exclusively by individuals who are not blind or visually impaired shall not be required.C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, the applications programs and underlying operating systems (including the format of the data) used for the manipulation and presentation of information shall permit the installation and effective use of nonvisual access software and peripheral devices.1999, cc. 769, 773, § 2.1-811; 2001, c. 844; 2020, c. 738.
VA Code § 2.2-3600 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 36 - State Government Volunteers Act|§ 2.2-3600. Short title; declaration of legislative intent

A. This chapter may be cited as the Virginia State Government Volunteers Act.B. Since the spirit of volunteerism has long animated generations of Americans to give of their time and abilities to help others, the Commonwealth would be wise to make use of volunteers in state service wherever practically possible. Effective use of volunteers in state service, however, requires that state agencies be provided guidelines for the development of volunteer programs and the utilization of volunteers. The General Assembly intends by this chapter to assure that people of Virginia may derive optimal benefit from volunteers, and that the time and talents of volunteers in state service may be put to their best use.1977, c. 347, § 2.1-554; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3601 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 36 - State Government Volunteers Act|§ 2.2-3601. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:"Department" includes all departments established in the executive branch of state government and local agencies under the jurisdiction or supervision thereof, and for the purposes of §§ 2.2-3602, 2.2-3604 and 2.2-3605, shall include political subdivisions of the Commonwealth."Material donor" means any person who, without financial gain, provides funds, materials, employment, or opportunities for clients of agencies, instrumentalities, or political subdivisions of the Commonwealth;"Occasional-service volunteer" means any person who provides a one-time or occasional voluntary service;"Regular-service volunteer" means any person engaged in specific voluntary service activities on an ongoing or continuous basis;"Volunteer" means any person who, of his own free will, provides goods or services, without any financial gain, to any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of the Commonwealth;"Volunteer in state and local services" shall include, but shall not be limited to, any person who serves in a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit or on a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) while engaged in emergency services and preparedness activities as defined in § 44-146.16.1977, c. 347, § 2.1-555; 1979, c. 131; 2001, c. 844; 2005, c. 474.
VA Code § 2.2-3602 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 36 - State Government Volunteers Act|§ 2.2-3602. Scope of chapter; status of volunteers; reimbursements

A. Every department, through its executive head, may develop volunteer programs and accept the services of volunteers, including regular-service volunteers, occasional-service volunteers, or material donors, to assist in programs carried out or administered by that department.B. Volunteers recruited, trained, or accepted by any department shall, to the extent of their voluntary service, be exempt from all provisions of law relating to state employment, hours of work, rate of compensation, leave time, and employee benefits except those enumerated in or consistent with § 2.2-3605. Volunteers shall, however, at all times comply with applicable work rules.C. Every department utilizing the services of volunteers may provide volunteers with such incidental reimbursements as are consistent with the provisions of § 2.2-3605, including transportation costs, lodging, and subsistence, as the department deems appropriate to assist volunteers in performing their duties.D. For the purposes of this chapter, individuals involved in emergency services and preparedness activities pursuant to the definition of "emergency services" in § 44-146.16 shall be considered volunteers in state and local services and shall be accordingly entitled to the benefits conferred in this chapter. As volunteers in state and local services, such individuals shall be deemed to be regular-service volunteers.1977, c. 347, § 2.1-556; 2001, c. 844; 2005, c. 474.
VA Code § 2.2-3603 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 36 - State Government Volunteers Act|§ 2.2-3603. Responsibilities of departments

Each department utilizing the services of volunteers shall:1. Take actions necessary and appropriate to develop meaningful opportunities for volunteers involved in its programs and to improve public services;2. Develop written rules governing the recruitment, screening, training, responsibility, utilization and supervision of volunteers;3. Take actions necessary to ensure that volunteers and paid staff understand their respective duties and responsibilities, their relationship to each other, and their respective roles in fulfilling the objectives of their department;4. Take actions necessary and appropriate to ensure a receptive climate for citizen volunteers;5. Provide for the recognition of volunteers who have offered exceptional service to the Commonwealth; and6. Recognize prior volunteer service as partial fulfillment of state employment requirements for training and experience established by the Department of Human Resource Management.1977, c. 347, § 2.1-557; 1979, c. 107; 1991, c. 563; 2000, cc. 66, 657; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3604 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 36 - State Government Volunteers Act|§ 2.2-3604. Solicitation of aid from community

Each department may, through the officer, agent, or employee primarily responsible for the utilization of volunteers in that department, solicit volunteers and voluntary assistance for that department from the community.1978, c. 121, § 2.1-557.1; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3605 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 36 - State Government Volunteers Act|§ 2.2-3605. Volunteer benefits

A. Meals may be furnished without charge to regular-service volunteers if scheduled work assignments extend over an established meal period. Meals may be furnished without charge to occasional-service volunteers at the discretion of the department's executive head.B. Lodging, if available, may be furnished temporarily, at no charge, to regular-service volunteers.C. Transportation reimbursement may be furnished those volunteers whose presence is determined to be necessary to the department. Rates or amounts of such reimbursement shall not exceed those provided in § 2.2-2823. Volunteers may utilize state vehicles in the performance of their duties, subject to those regulations governing use of state vehicles by paid staff.D. Liability insurance may be provided by the department utilizing their services both to regular-service and occasional-service volunteers to the same extent as may be provided by the department to its paid staff. Volunteers in state and local service, including, but not limited to, any person who serves in a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit or on a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), shall enjoy the protection of the Commonwealth's sovereign immunity to the same extent as paid staff.1977, c. 347, § 2.1-558; 1979, c. 131; 2001, c. 844; 2005, c. 474.
VA Code § 2.2-3700 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 37 - Virginia Freedom of Information Act|§ 2.2-3700. Short title; policy

A. This chapter may be cited as "The Virginia Freedom of Information Act."B. By enacting this chapter, the General Assembly ensures the people of the Commonwealth ready access to public records in the custody of a public body or its officers and employees, and free entry to meetings of public bodies wherein the business of the people is being conducted. The affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy since at all times the public is to be the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government. Unless a public body or its officers or employees specifically elect to exercise an exemption provided by this chapter or any other statute, every meeting shall be open to the public and all public records shall be available for inspection and copying upon request. All public records and meetings shall be presumed open, unless an exemption is properly invoked.The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities and afford every opportunity to citizens to witness the operations of government. Any exemption from public access to records or meetings shall be narrowly construed and no record shall be withheld or meeting closed to the public unless specifically made exempt pursuant to this chapter or other specific provision of law. This chapter shall not be construed to discourage the free discussion by government officials or employees of public matters with the citizens of the Commonwealth.All public bodies and their officers and employees shall make reasonable efforts to reach an agreement with a requester concerning the production of the records requested.Any ordinance adopted by a local governing body that conflicts with the provisions of this chapter shall be void.1968, c. 479, § 2.1-340; 1976, c. 467, § 2.1-340.1; 1989, c. 358; 1990, c. 538; 1999, cc. 703, 726; 2001, c. 844; 2002, c. 393.
VA Code § 2.2-3702 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 37 - Virginia Freedom of Information Act|§ 2.2-3702. Notice of chapter

Any person elected, reelected, appointed or reappointed to any body not excepted from this chapter shall (i) be furnished by the public body's administrator or legal counsel with a copy of this chapter within two weeks following election, reelection, appointment or reappointment and (ii) read and become familiar with the provisions of this chapter.1976, c. 467, § 2.1-341.1; 1999, cc. 703, 726; 2001, c. 844; 2002, c. 393.
VA Code § 2.2-3703.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 37 - Virginia Freedom of Information Act|§ 2.2-3703.1. Disclosure pursuant to court order or subpoena

Nothing contained in this chapter shall have any bearing upon disclosures required to be made pursuant to any court order or subpoena. No discretionary exemption from mandatory disclosure shall be construed to make records covered by such discretionary exemption privileged under the rules of discovery, unless disclosure is otherwise prohibited by law.2014, c. 319.