§ 22.1-277 Suspensions and expulsions of students generally
A. Students may be suspended or expelled from attendance at school for sufficient cause; however, in no cases may sufficient cause for suspensions include only instances of truancy or only a violation of any student cell phone and smart device possession and use policy developed and implemented pursuant to § 22.1-79.3:1.
B. Except as provided in subsection C or § 22.1-277.07 or 22.1-277.08, no student in preschool through grade three shall be suspended for more than three school days or expelled from attendance at school, unless (i) the offense involves physical harm or credible threat of physical harm to others or (ii) the local school board or the division superintendent or his designee finds that aggravating circumstances exist, as defined by the Department.
C. Any student for whom the division superintendent of the school division in which such student is enrolled has received a report pursuant to § 16.1-305.1 of an adjudication of delinquency or a conviction for an offense listed in subsection G of § 16.1-260 may be suspended or expelled from school attendance pursuant to this article.
D. The authority provided in § 22.1-276.2 for teachers to remove students from their classes in certain instances of disruptive behavior shall not be interpreted to affect the operation of § 22.1-277.04, 22.1-277.05, or 22.1-277.06.
E. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 22.1-277.08, no school board shall be required to suspend or expel any student who holds a valid written certification for the use of cannabis oil issued by a practitioner in accordance with § 4.1-1601 for the possession or use of such oil in accordance with the student’s individualized health plan and in compliance with a policy adopted by the school board.
History
The record of this law’s original creation isn’t available online. It has been modified 12 times. 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. Those modifications are as follows: in 1972, chapter 604; in 1980, chapter 559; in 1984, chapter 415; in 1997, chapters 371, 585, 608, 734, and 830; in 1998, chapters 355 and 379; in 2001, chapters 688 and 820; in 2003, chapter 119; in 2009, chapter 70; in 2018, chapter 585; in 2019, chapters 573 and 574; in 2023, chapters 740 and 773; in 2025, chapters 606 and 644.
Code 1950, §§ 22-230.1, 22-230.2; 1972, c. 604; 1980, c. 559; 1984, c. 415; 1997, cc. 371, 585, 608, 734, 830; 1998, cc. 355, 379, § 22.1-277.02; 2001, cc. 688, 820; 2003, c. 119; 2009, c. 70; 2018, c. 585; 2019, cc. 573, 574; 2023, cc. 740, 773; 2025, cc. 606, 644.