§ 2.2-2829 Disappearance of public officer; when office presumed vacant
Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the length of time after which the continued absence of a person shall create a presumption of death, when a petition alleging that a person who is a public officer elected by the people or by the General Assembly or appointed by the Governor has disappeared and after diligent search cannot be found is presented to a court of record in the city or county in which the last known residence of the person is located, and when it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the circumstances surrounding the disappearance afford reasonable grounds for the belief that the person is dead, then the office held by such person shall be presumed to be vacant and the court shall enter an order to that effect.
History
This law was first created in 1973. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 168 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1973 “Acts” aren’t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2001, chapter 844.
1973, c. 168, § 2.1-17.1; 2001, c. 844.