reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 2.2-2831 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 28 - General Provisions|§ 2.2-2831. Payment of severance benefits; exceptions

No severance benefit shall be provided to any state officer or employee except as specifically provided by law. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any severance benefit provided to (i) any officers or faculty of a public institution of higher education as defined in § 23.1-100 or (ii) a state officer or employee who is not eligible for a transitional severance benefit pursuant to Chapter 32 (§ 2.2-3200 et seq.) of this title. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit payments in settlement of an employment dispute approved pursuant to § 2.2-514 or payments in satisfaction of a judgment.2006, cc. 813, 902.
VA Code § 2.2-2832 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 28 - General Provisions|§ 2.2-2832. Retaliatory actions against persons providing testimony before a committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly

A. No officer or employee of a state agency shall use his public position to retaliate or threaten to retaliate against a person providing testimony before a committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly.B. To be covered by the provisions of this section, a person who provides testimony before a committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly shall do so in good faith and upon a reasonable belief that the information is accurate. Testimony that is reckless or that the person knew or should have known was false, confidential, malicious, or otherwise prohibited by law or policy shall not be deemed good faith testimony.C. Any person who believes that he is the subject of retaliatory action by an officer or employee of a state agency on account of testimony that he provided before a committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly may file a complaint with the Office of the State Inspector General.D. Intentional violation of subsection A by an officer or employee of a state agency shall constitute malfeasance in office and shall subject the officer or employee responsible to suspension or removal from office, as may be provided by law in other cases of malfeasance.2016, c. 628.
VA Code § 2.2-2900 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 29 - Virginia Personnel Act|§ 2.2-2900. Short title; purpose

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Virginia Personnel Act."The purpose of this chapter is to ensure for the Commonwealth a system of personnel administration based on merit principles and objective methods of appointment, promotion, transfer, layoff, removal, discipline, and other incidents of state employment.Code 1950, § 2-78; 1966, c. 677, § 2.1-110; 1970, c. 546; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-2901.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 29 - Virginia Personnel Act|§ 2.2-2901.1. Employment discrimination prohibited

A. As used in this section :"Age" means being an individual who is at least 40 years of age."Military status" means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. § 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911(4) except that the support provided by the service member to the individual shall have been provided 180 days immediately preceding an alleged action that if proven true would constitute unlawful discrimination under this section instead of 180 days immediately preceding an application for relief under 50 U.S.C. Chapter 50.B. No state agency, institution, board, bureau, commission, council, or instrumentality of the Commonwealth shall discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military status.C. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit (i) discrimination in employment on the basis of (a) sex or age in those instances when sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification for employment or (b) disability when using the alternative application process provided for in § 2.2-1213 or (ii) providing preference in employment to veterans.2020, cc. 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 218, 477, 478.
VA Code § 2.2-2902 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 29 - Virginia Personnel Act|§ 2.2-2902. Use of tobacco products by state employees

No employee of or applicant for employment with the Commonwealth shall be required, as a condition of employment, to smoke or use tobacco products on the job, or to abstain from smoking or using tobacco products outside the course of his employment, provided that this section shall not apply to those classes of employees to which § 27-40.1 or § 51.1-813 is applicable.1989, c. 511, § 15.1-29.18; 1997, c. 587, § 2.1-111.1; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-2902.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 29 - Virginia Personnel Act|§ 2.2-2902.1. Rights of state employees to contact elected officials

Nothing in this chapter or Chapter 12 (§ 2.2-1200 et seq.) of this title shall be construed to prohibit or otherwise restrict the right of any state employee to express opinions to state or local elected officials on matters of public concern, nor shall a state employee be subject to acts of retaliation because the employee has expressed such opinions.For the purposes of this section "matters of public concern" means those matters of interest to the community as a whole, whether for social, political, or other reasons and shall include discussions that disclose any (i) evidence of corruption, impropriety, or other malfeasance on the part of government officials; (ii) violations of law; or (iii) incidence of fraud, abuse, or gross mismanagement.2005, c. 483.
VA Code § 2.2-2903.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 29 - Virginia Personnel Act|§ 2.2-2903.1. State employees ordered to active military service

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:"Active military duty" means federally funded military duty as (i) a member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty pursuant to Title 10 U.S.C. or (ii) a member of the Virginia National Guard on active duty pursuant to either Title 10 or Title 32 U.S.C."State employee" means any person who is regularly employed full time on either a salaried or wage basis, whose tenure is not restricted as to temporary or provisional appointment, in the service of, and whose compensation is payable, no more often than biweekly, in whole or in part, by the Commonwealth or any department, institution or agency thereof.B. For any state employee who has been ordered to active military service in the armed forces of the United States or in the organized reserve forces of any of the armed services of the United States or of the Virginia National Guard, the Commonwealth shall allow the use of accrued annual leave for active military duty according to personnel policies developed by the Department of Human Resource Management.2003, c. 789.
VA Code § 2.2-2904 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 29 - Virginia Personnel Act|§ 2.2-2904. Classification of persons who have passed certified professional secretary examination

Clerical personnel who have passed all parts of the certified professional secretary examination, evidenced by certification by the Institute for Certifying Secretaries, a department of the National Secretaries Association (International), or the professional legal secretary examination, evidenced by certification by the Certifying Board of the National Association of Legal Secretaries (International), shall be assured that this certification will be taken into consideration when opportunity for promotion becomes available.1975, c. 393, § 2.1-114.1; 1977, c. 104; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3000 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 30 - State Grievance Procedure|§ 2.2-3000. Policy of the Commonwealth; responsibilities of state agencies under this chapter

A. It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth, as an employer, to encourage the resolution of employee problems and complaints. To that end, employees shall be able to discuss freely, and without retaliation, their concerns with their immediate supervisors and management. To the extent that such concerns cannot be resolved informally, the grievance procedure shall afford an immediate and fair method for the resolution of employment disputes that may arise between state agencies and those employees who have access to the procedure under § 2.2-3001.B. To fully achieve the objectives of this chapter and to create uniformity, each agency in the executive branch of state government shall:1. Require supervisory personnel to be trained in the grievance procedure, personnel policies, and conflict resolution;2. Familiarize employees with their grievance rights and promote the services of the Department of Human Resource Management;3. Cooperate with investigations conducted pursuant to the authority granted by clause (iii) of subdivision 4 of § 2.2-1202.1;4. Participate in the mediation program;5. Evaluate supervisors on the effectiveness of employee relations management, including, but not limited to, their handling of grievances; and6. Recognize the right of employees to fully participate in the grievance process without retaliation.C. The Department of Human Resource Management shall monitor agencies' activities under this section.1995, cc. 770, 818, §§ 2.1-116.04, 2.1-116.05; 1996, cc. 164, 869; 1999, cc. 703, 726; 2000, cc. 947, 1006; 2001, c. 844; 2004, c. 674; 2012, cc. 803, 835.
VA Code § 2.2-3001 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 30 - State Grievance Procedure|§ 2.2-3001. State employees

A. Unless exempted by law, all nonprobationary state employees shall be covered by the grievance procedure established pursuant to this chapter and any regulations adopted pursuant thereto. Employees not covered by the grievance procedure may be covered by an alternative grievance procedure.B. The Office of the Attorney General and every legislative, judicial, and independent agency that is not subject to the state grievance procedure shall establish and administer a grievance procedure.1995, cc. 770, 818, § 2.1-116.09; 1996, cc. 164, 869; 1997, c. 711; 1998, c. 245; 2000, cc. 947, 1006; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3002 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 30 - State Grievance Procedure|§ 2.2-3002. Exemptions from chapter

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:1. Appointees of elected groups or individuals except as provided in subsection B of § 2.2-3001;2. Agency heads or chief executive officers of government agencies and public institutions of higher education appointed by boards and commissions;3. Law-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-500 whose grievances are subject to Chapter 5 (§ 9.1-500 et seq.) and who have elected to resolve such grievances under those provisions; and4. Employees in positions designated in § 2.2-2905 as exempt from the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.).1995, cc. 770, 818, § 2.1-116.013; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3005 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 30 - State Grievance Procedure|§ 2.2-3005. Hearing officers; duties

A. Nothing in this chapter shall create, nor shall be construed to create, a property interest in selection or assignment to serve as a hearing officer for grievance hearings.B. The Director of the Department of Human Resource Management shall assign a hearing officer to conduct the grievance hearing. All hearing officers shall be selected, on a rotating basis, (i) from the list of administrative hearing officers maintained by the Supreme Court of Virginia pursuant to § 2.2-4024 or (ii) from attorneys hired as classified employees by the Department through a competitive selection process. Hearing officer fees shall be reasonable, in accordance with compensation guidelines developed by the Department of Human Resource Management. In addition to the training requirements imposed by the Supreme Court, each hearing officer shall meet the criteria established by the Director pursuant to subdivision 6 of § 2.2-1202.1 and attend annually at least one day of training in employment law or state personnel policies and organizations. The training shall be conducted by the Department of Human Resource Management or an organization approved by the Virginia State Bar for continuing legal education.C. Hearing officers shall have the following powers and duties:1. Hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of issues;2. Dispose of procedural requests;3. Issue orders requiring testimony or the production of evidence;4. Administer oaths and affirmations;5. Receive probative evidence; exclude irrelevant, immaterial, insubstantial, privileged, or repetitive proofs, rebuttals, or cross-examinations; rule upon offers of proof; and oversee a verbatim recording of the evidence;6. Receive and consider evidence in mitigation or aggravation of any offense charged by an agency in accordance with rules established by the Department of Human Resource Management pursuant to § 2.2-1202.1; and7. Take other actions as necessary or specified in the grievance procedure.1995, cc. 770, 818, § 2.1-116.07; 1998, cc. 263, 438; 1999, c. 713; 2000, cc. 66, 657, 947, 1006; 2001, c. 844; 2004, c. 674; 2012, cc. 803, 835.
VA Code § 2.2-3005.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 30 - State Grievance Procedure|§ 2.2-3005.1. Scope of hearing officer's decision; agency cooperation; cost of hearing; decision of hearing officer

A. For those issues qualified for a hearing, the hearing officer may order appropriate remedies. Relief may include (i) reinstatement to the same position, or if the position is filled, to an equivalent position, (ii) back pay, (iii) full reinstatement of fringe benefits and seniority rights, (iv) mitigation or reduction of the agency disciplinary action, or (v) any combination of these remedies. In grievances challenging discharge, if the hearing officer finds that the employee has substantially prevailed on the merits of the grievance, the employee shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees, unless special circumstances would make an award unjust. All awards of relief, including attorney fees, by a hearing officer must be in accordance with rules established by the Department of Human Resource Management.B. The agency from which the grievance arises shall bear the costs for the hearing officer and other associated hearing expenses including the grievant's attorney fees that the hearing officer may award.C. The decision of the hearing officer shall (i) be in writing, (ii) contain findings of fact as to the material issues in the case and the basis for those findings, including any award of reasonable attorney fees pursuant to this section, and (iii) be final and binding if consistent with law and policy.D. The provisions of this section relating to the award of attorney fees shall not apply to any local government or agency thereof that is otherwise subject to the grievance procedure set forth in this chapter.2004, c. 674; 2011, c. 595; 2012, cc. 803, 835.
VA Code § 2.2-3006 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 30 - State Grievance Procedure|§ 2.2-3006. Review of hearing decisions; costs

A. Upon the request of a party to a grievance hearing for an administrative review of the hearing decision, the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management shall determine, within 30 days of the conclusion of any other administrative reviews, whether the hearing decision is consistent with policy.B. Within 30 days of a final decision, a party may appeal on the grounds that the determination is contradictory to law by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk of the circuit court in the jurisdiction in which the grievance arose. The agency shall request and receive prior approval of the Director before filing a notice of appeal. After a notice of appeal has been filed by either party, the agency shall then transmit a copy of the grievance record to the clerk of the court. The court, on motion of a party, shall issue a writ of certiorari requiring transmission of the record on or before a certain date. Within 30 days of receipt of the grievance record, the court, sitting without a jury, shall hear the appeal on the record. The court may affirm the decision or may reverse or modify the decision. The decision of the court shall be rendered no later than the fifteenth day from the date of the conclusion of the hearing. The circuit court hearing shall be at no cost to the Commonwealth or the grievant.C. The hearing officer's final decision shall be effective from the latter of the date issued or the date of the conclusion of any administrative review and judicial appeal, and shall be implemented immediately thereafter, unless circumstances beyond the control of the agency delay such implementation.D. Either party may petition the circuit court having jurisdiction in the locality in which the grievance arose for an order requiring implementation of the final decision of a hearing officer.E. The court shall award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the employee if the employee substantially prevails on the merits of a case brought under subsection B or D.2000, cc. 947, 1006, § 2.1-116.07:1; 2001, cc. 393, 420, 844; 2003, c. 252; 2004, c. 229; 2012, cc. 56, 349.
VA Code § 2.2-3007 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 30 - State Grievance Procedure|§ 2.2-3007. Certain employees of the Departments of Corrections and Juvenile Justice

A. Employees of the Departments of Corrections and Juvenile Justice who work in institutions or juvenile correctional centers or have client, inmate, or resident contact and who are terminated on the grounds of client, inmate, or resident abuse, criminal conviction, or as a result of being placed on probation under the provisions of § 18.2-251, may appeal their termination only through the Department of Human Resource Management applicable grievance procedures, which shall not include successive grievance steps or the formal hearing provided in § 2.2-3005.B. If no resolution is reached, the employee may advance the grievance to the circuit court of the jurisdiction in which the grievance occurred for a de novo hearing on the merits of the termination. In its discretion, the court may refer the matter to a commissioner in chancery to take such evidence as may be proper and to make a report to the court. Both the grievant and the respondent may call upon witnesses and be represented by legal counsel or other representatives before the court or the commissioner in chancery. Such representatives may examine, cross-examine, question and present evidence on behalf of the grievant or respondent before the court or commissioner in chancery without being in violation of the provisions of § 54.1-3904.C. A termination shall be upheld unless shown to have been unwarranted by the facts or contrary to law or policy.1995, cc. 770, 818, § 2.1-116.08; 1996, cc. 755, 914; 2001, cc. 393, 420, 844; 2014, c. 223.
VA Code § 2.2-3008 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 30 - State Grievance Procedure|§ 2.2-3008. Employees of local constitutional officers

Constitutional officers shall not be required to provide a grievance procedure for their employees; however, such employees may be accepted in a local governing body's grievance procedure or personnel system if agreed to by the constitutional officer and the local governing body.1995, cc. 770, 818, § 2.1-116.012; 1996, cc. 164, 869; 2001, c. 844.
VA Code § 2.2-3009 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 30.1 - The Fraud and Abuse Whistle Blower Protection Act|§ 2.2-3009. Policy

It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth that citizens of the Commonwealth and employees of governmental agencies be freely able to report instances of wrongdoing or abuse committed by governmental agencies or independent contractors of governmental agencies.2009, c. 340; 2014, c. 403; 2016, c. 292.
VA Code § 2.2-3010.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 2.2 - Administration of Government|Chapter 30.1 - The Fraud and Abuse Whistle Blower Protection Act|§ 2.2-3010.1. Discrimination and retaliatory actions against citizen whistle blowers prohibited; good faith required; other remedies

A. No governmental agency may threaten or otherwise discriminate or retaliate against a citizen whistle blower because the whistle blower is requested or subpoenaed by an appropriate authority to participate in an investigation, hearing, or inquiry by an appropriate authority or in a court action.B. To be protected by the provisions of this chapter, a citizen of the Commonwealth who discloses information about suspected wrongdoing or abuse shall do so in good faith and upon a reasonable belief that the information is accurate. Disclosures that are reckless or that the citizen knew or should have known were false, confidential by law, or malicious shall not be deemed good faith reports and shall not be protected.C. Any citizen whistle blower disclosing information of wrongdoing or abuse under this chapter where the disclosure results in a recovery of at least $5,000 may file a claim for reward under the Fraud and Abuse Whistle Blower Reward Fund established in § 2.2-3014.D. Except for the provisions of subsection F of § 2.2-3011, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the remedies provided by the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act (§ 8.01-216.1 et seq.).2014, c. 403; 2016, c. 292.