reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-185.14. Reporting standards and requirements

A. Each licensed bail bondsman shall report within 10 calendar days to the Department any change in his residence, name, business name or business address, and ensure that the Department has the names and all fictitious names of all companies under which he carries out his bail bonding business.
B. Each licensed bail bondsman arrested for or convicted of a felony shall report within 10 calendar days to the Department the facts and circumstances regarding the criminal arrest or conviction.
C. Each licensed bail bondsman shall report to the Department within 10 calendar days of the final disposition of the matter any administrative action taken against him by another governmental agency in the Commonwealth or in another jurisdiction. Such report shall include a copy of the order, consent to order or other relevant legal documents.
D. Each licensed property bail bondsman shall submit to the Department, on a prescribed form, not later than the fifth day of each month, a list of all outstanding bonds on which he was obligated as of the last day of the preceding month, together with the amount of the penalty of each such bond.
E. Each licensed property bail bondsman shall report to the Department any change in the number of agents in his employ within seven days of such change and concurrently provide proof of collateral of $200,000 for each new agent, in accordance with subsection C of § 9.1-185.5.
F. Each licensed surety bail bondsman shall report to the Department within 30 days any change in his employment or agency status with a licensed insurance company. If the surety bail bondsman receives a new qualifying power of attorney from an insurance company, he shall forward a copy thereof within 30 days to the Department, in accordance with subdivision D 2 of § 9.1-185.5.
G. Each licensed property bail bondsman shall report to the Department within five business days if any new lien, encumbrance, or deed of trust is placed on any real estate that is being used as collateral on his or his agents' bonds as well as the amount it is securing. The reporting requirement deadline is deemed to begin as soon as the licensed property bail bondsman learns of the new lien, encumbrance, or deed of trust, or should have reasonably known that such a lien, encumbrance, or deed of trust had been recorded.
2004, c. 460; 2015, c. 600.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-185.15. Recovery of bailees; methods of capture; standards and requirements; limitations

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-185.16. Department submission to the State Corporation Commission

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-185.17. Department submissions to local and regional correctional facilities

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-185.18. Penalties

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Bail enforcement agent," also known as "bounty hunter," means any individual engaged in bail recovery.
"Bail recovery" means an act whereby a person arrests a bailee with the object of surrendering the bailee to the appropriate court, jail, or police department, for the purpose of discharging the bailee's surety from liability on his bond. "Bail recovery" shall include investigating, surveilling or locating a bailee in preparation for an imminent arrest, with such object and for such purpose.
"Bailee" means a person who has been released on bail, and who is or has been subject to a bond, as defined in § 19.2-119.
"Board" means the Criminal Justice Services Board.
"Department" means the Department of Criminal Justice Services.
2004, c. 397.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186.3. Powers of Department relating to bail enforcement agents

A. In addition to the powers otherwise conferred upon it by law, the Department may charge each applicant for licensure or licensee a nonrefundable fee as established by the Board to (i) cover the costs of processing an application for licensure, enforcement of the regulations, and other costs associated with the maintenance of the program of regulation; (ii) cover the costs of bail recovery training, processing school certifications and enforcement of training standards; (iii) conduct investigations to determine the suitability of applicants for licensure and (iv) conduct investigations to determine if any disciplinary actions against a licensed bail enforcement agent are warranted. For purposes of determining eligibility for licensure, the Department shall require the applicant to provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded, along with the applicant's fingerprints, to the Central Criminal Records Exchange for the purpose of conducting a Virginia criminal history records search. The Central Criminal Records Exchange shall forward the fingerprints and personal description to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining a national criminal record check.
B. The Director or his designee may make an ex parte application to the circuit court for the city or county wherein evidence sought is kept or wherein a licensee does business for the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum in furtherance of the investigation of a sworn complaint within the jurisdiction of the Department or the Board to request production of any relevant records, documents and physical or other evidence of any person, partnership, association or corporation licensed or regulated by the Department pursuant to this article. The court may issue and compel compliance with such a subpoena upon a showing of reasonable cause. Upon determining that reasonable cause exists to believe that evidence may be destroyed or altered, the court may issue a subpoena duces tecum requiring the immediate production of evidence. Costs of the investigation and adjudication of violations of this article or Board regulations may be recovered. All costs recovered shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the Bail Enforcement Agent Regulatory Fund. Such proceedings shall be brought in the name of the Commonwealth by the Department in the circuit court of the city or county in which the unlawful act occurred or in which the defendant resides. The Director, or agents appointed by him, shall have the authority to administer oaths or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints and conducting investigations of violations of this article, or any regulation promulgated hereunder and to serve process issued by the Department or the Board.
2004, c. 397.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186.4. Limitations on licensure

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186.5. Bail enforcement agent license; criminal history records check

A. An applicant for a bail enforcement license shall apply for such license in a form and manner prescribed by the Board, and containing any information the Board requires.
B. Prior to the issuance of any bail enforcement agent license, each applicant shall:
1. File with the Department an application for such license on the form and in the manner prescribed by the Board.
2. Complete the basic certification courses in training for bail enforcement agents required by the Department. Any applicant who improperly uses notes or other reference materials, or otherwise cheats in any course, shall be ineligible to become a licensed bail enforcement agent.
3. Submit the appropriate nonrefundable application processing fee to the Department.
4. Submit to fingerprinting by a local or state law-enforcement agency and provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded, along with the applicant's fingerprints, to the Department of State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. The Central Criminal Records Exchange shall forward the applicant's fingerprints and personal descriptive information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining national criminal history record information regarding such applicant. The applicant shall pay for the cost of such fingerprinting and criminal records check. The Department of State Police shall forward it to the Director of the Department, or his designee, who shall be a governmental entity, who shall review the record, and if the report indicates a prior conviction listed in subsection B of § 9.1-186.4, the individual shall be prohibited from pursuing the application process for issuance of a bail enforcement agent license unless the individual submits proof that his civil rights have been restored by the Governor or other appropriate authority.
2004, c. 397.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186.6. Licenses; renewal

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186.7. Licensure of nonresidents

A. All nonresident transfers and applicants for a bail enforcement agent 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. 397.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186.9. Firearms, training and usage; standards and requirements

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186.10. Uniforms and identification; standards and restrictions

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186.11. Reporting standards and requirements

A. Each licensed bail enforcement agent shall report within 10 calendar days to the Department any change in his residence, name, or business name or business address, and ensure that the Department has the names and fictitious names of all companies under which he carries out his bail recovery business.
B. Each licensed bail enforcement agent arrested or issued a summons for any crime shall report such fact within 10 calendar days to the Department, and shall report to the Department within 10 days the facts and circumstances regarding the final disposition of his case.
C. Each licensed bail enforcement agent shall report to the Department within 10 calendar days of the final disposition any administrative action taken against him by another governmental agency in the Commonwealth or in another jurisdiction. Such report shall include a copy of the order, consent to order or other relevant legal documents.
2004, c. 397; 2015, c. 600.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186.12. Recovery of bailees; methods of capture; standards and requirements; limitations

A. During the recovery of a bailee, a bail enforcement agent shall have a copy of the relevant recognizance for the bailee. 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 enforcement agent shall not enter the residence of another without first verbally notifying the occupants who are present at the time of entry.
C. Absent exigent circumstances, a bail enforcement agent 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 enforcement agent shall inform local law enforcement within 60 minutes of capturing a bailee.
D. A bail enforcement agent shall not break any laws of the Commonwealth in the act of apprehending a bailee.
2004, c. 397.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-186.13. Penalties, criminal and monetary

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-187. Establishment of crisis intervention team programs

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-188. Crisis intervention training program

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-189. Crisis intervention team protocol

Each crisis intervention team shall develop a protocol that permits law-enforcement officers to release a person with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both, whom they encounter in crisis situations from their custody when the crisis intervention team has determined the person is sufficiently stable and to refer him for emergency treatment services.
2009, c. 715.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-190. Crisis intervention team program assessment

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 1 - Department of Criminal Justice Services › § 9.1-192. Community Policing Reporting Database; annual report

A. The Department shall periodically access the Community Policing Reporting Database, which is maintained by the Department of State Police in accordance with § 52-30.3, for the purposes of analyzing the data to determine the existence and prevalence of the practice of bias-based profiling and the prevalence of complaints alleging the use of excessive force. The Department shall maintain all records relating to the analysis, validation, and interpretation of such data. The Department may seek assistance in analyzing the data from any accredited public or private institution of higher education in the Commonwealth or from an independent body having the experience, staff expertise, and technical support capability to provide such assistance.
B. The Director shall annually report the findings and recommendations resulting from the analysis and interpretation of the data from the Community Policing Reporting Database to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Attorney General beginning on or before July 1, 2021, and each July 1 thereafter. The report shall also include information regarding state or local law-enforcement agencies that have failed or refused to report the required data to the Department of State Police as required by §§ 15.2-1609.10, 15.2-1722.1, and 52-30.2. A copy of the Director's report shall also be provided to each attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which a reporting law-enforcement agency is located.
2020, c. 1165, § 9.1-191.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-200. Department of Fire Programs

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-201. Powers of Executive Director

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-202. Virginia Fire Services Board; membership; terms; compensation

A. The Virginia Fire Services 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 to be appointed by the Governor as follows: a representative of the insurance industry; two members of the general public with no connection to the fire services, one of whom shall be a representative of those industries affected by SARA Title III and OSHA training requirements; one member each from the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, the Virginia State Firefighters Association, the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, the Virginia Fire Service Council, the Virginia Fire Prevention Association, the Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Virginia Municipal League, and the Virginia Association of Counties; a local fire marshal as defined by § 27-30; and a certified Virginia fire service instructor. Of these appointees, at least one shall be a volunteer firefighter. The State Forester and a member of the Board of Housing and Community Development appointed by the chairman of that Board shall serve as ex officio members of the Board.
Each of the organizations represented shall submit at least three names for each position for the Governor's consideration in making these appointments.
B. Members of the Board appointed by the Governor shall serve for terms of four years. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term. No appointee shall serve more than two successive four-year terms but neither shall any person serve beyond the time he holds the office or organizational membership by reason of which he was initially eligible for appointment.
C. The Board annually shall elect its chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership and shall adopt rules of procedure.
D. All members shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2825. Funding for the expenses shall be provided from the Fire Programs Fund established pursuant to § 38.2-401.
E. The Board shall meet no more than six times each calendar year. The Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security may call a special meeting of the Board should circumstances dictate. A majority of the current membership of the Board shall constitute a quorum for all purposes.
1981, c. 154, § 9-153.1; 1985, c. 448; 1986, c. 60; 1989, c. 258; 1992, c. 213; 2001, c. 844; 2002, c. 211; 2003, c. 836; 2006, c. 58; 2007, c. 96; 2011, cc. 691, 714; 2012, cc. 164, 456; 2014, cc. 31, 115, 490, 820; 2019, c. 208.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-203. Powers and duties of Virginia Fire Services Board; limitation

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-203.1. Firefighter mental health awareness training

A. Each fire department as defined in § 27-6.01 shall develop curricula for mental health awareness training for its personnel, which shall include training regarding the following:
1. Understanding signs and symptoms of cumulative stress, depression, anxiety, exposure to acute and chronic trauma, compulsive behaviors, and addiction;
2. Combating and overcoming stigmas;
3. Responding appropriately to aggressive behaviors such as domestic violence and harassment;
4. Accessing available mental health treatment and resources; and
5. Managing stress, self-care techniques, and resiliency.
B. Any fire department may develop the mental health awareness training curricula in conjunction with other fire departments or firefighter stakeholder groups or may use any training program, developed by any entity, that satisfies the criteria set forth in subsection A.
C. Firefighters who receive mental health awareness training in accordance with this section shall receive appropriate continuing education credits from the Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Fire Services Board.
2018, cc. 456, 658; 2020, c. 1262.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-204. Fire service training facilities; allocation of funds therefor

A. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Department of Fire Programs, after approval by the Board, may allocate available funds to counties, cities, and towns within the Commonwealth for the purpose of assisting such counties, cities, towns and volunteer fire companies in the construction, improvement, or expansion of fire service training facilities.
B. Available funds shall be allocated at the discretion of the Board through the Executive Director of the Department of Fire Programs, based on the following:
1. The total amount of funds available for distribution;
2. Financial participation by counties, cities, towns, and volunteer fire companies, any such participation being optional on the part of the locality or the particular volunteer fire company; and
3. Anticipated use of such facilities by the Commonwealth, its subdivisions, or volunteer fire companies.
C. Such funds shall be distributed to the counties, cities, and towns pursuant to contracts prepared by the office of the Attorney General.
D. Allocations of such funds to volunteer fire companies shall not be contingent upon or conditioned in any way upon compliance with the provisions of § 9.1-201 or with any rules, regulations, or guidelines enacted pursuant to the provisions of § 9.1-201.
1981, c. 154, § 9-155.1; 2001, c. 844; 2012, cc. 164, 456.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-205. Thermal Imaging Camera Grant Fund established

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-206. State Fire Marshal; qualifications; powers and duties; power to arrest, to procure and serve warrants, and to issue summonses; limitation on authority

The Executive Director of Fire Programs shall employ a State Fire Marshal and other personnel necessary to carry out the provisions of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.). The State Fire Marshal and other personnel employed pursuant to this section shall be selected upon the basis of education or experience in administering laws and regulations designed to prevent and eliminate hazards to life and property arising from fire.
The State Fire Marshal shall have the powers and duties prescribed by the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.), by § 27-61, by Board regulation, and by the Director. The State Fire Marshal and those persons duly authorized to enforce the Statewide Fire Prevention Code shall have the authority to arrest, to procure and serve warrants of arrests, and to issue summonses in the manner authorized by general law for violation of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code. The authority granted in this section shall not be construed to authorize the State Fire Marshal to wear or carry firearms. All personnel employed pursuant to this section shall meet the training requirements set forth for local fire marshals in § 27-34.2. The State Fire Marshal, or his designee, shall be the authority having jurisdiction over state-owned buildings, property, or structures for purposes of fire safety and fire prevention in accordance with the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
2007, cc. 647, 741; 2023, c. 470.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-207. Inspection of certain state-owned, state-operated, or state-licensed facilities; enforcement of safety standards

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-207.1. Firefighting foam management

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.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-207.2. Prohibition on use of certain oriented strand board

A. As used in this section:
"Acquired structure" means a building or structure acquired by local government from a property owner for the purpose of conducting live fire training evolutions.
"Class A fuel materials" includes wood, straw, and paper products.
"Fire training activities" includes the utilization of live fire training structures designed for conducting live fire training evolutions on a repetitive basis. "Fire training activities" does not include the utilization of acquired structures for conducting live fire training evolutions.
"Local government" includes any locality, fire district, regional fire protection authority, or other special purpose district that provides firefighting services.
"Oriented strand board" means a multilayered board made from strands of wood, together with a binder, by the application of heat and pressure, with the strands in the external layer primarily oriented along the panel's strength axis in accordance with US Product Standard 2-18, Performance Standard for Wood Structured Panels. For purposes of this section only, "oriented strand board" means a wood structural panel intended as a covering material for roofs, subfloors, and walls when fastened to supports.
B. No person, local government, or agency of the Commonwealth shall burn Class A fuel materials that contain oriented strand board during live fire training activities.
C. No provision of this section shall restrict the manufacture, sale, use, or distribution of Class A fuel materials that contain oriented strand board for purposes outside of fire training activities.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 285.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 9.1 - Commonwealth Public Safety › Chapter 2 - Department of Fire Programs › § 9.1-208. Agreements between Department and other agencies

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.