{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1500.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1500.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1500.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1500.1.html"}],"law_id":60492,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60492,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1500.1","catch_line":"Employment discrimination prohibited; sexual orientation or gender identity","history":"2020, cc. 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2022, c. 799.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Age&#8221; means being an individual who is at least 40 years of age.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Military status&#8221; means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. &#xA7; 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. &#xA7; 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. &#xA7; 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. &#xA7; 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.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Religion&#8221; includes any outward expression of religious faith, including adherence to religious dressing and grooming practices and the carrying or display of religious items or symbols.B\n\nNo department, office, board, commission, agency, or instrumentality of local government 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\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not prohibit (i) discrimination in employment on the basis of sex or age in those instances when sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification for employment or (ii) providing preference in employment to veterans.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":221173,"text":"As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Age&#8221; means being an individual who is at least 40 years of age.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Military status&#8221; means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. &#xA7; 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. &#xA7; 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. &#xA7; 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. &#xA7; 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.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Religion&#8221; includes any outward expression of religious faith, including adherence to religious dressing and grooming practices and the carrying or display of religious items or symbols.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":221174,"text":"No department, office, board, commission, agency, or instrumentality of local government 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.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":221175,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not prohibit (i) discrimination in employment on the basis of sex or age in those instances when sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification for employment or (ii) providing preference in employment to veterans.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13737,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions for Certain Officers and Employees","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12734,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:44","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:44","permalink":{"id":153005,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13737,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/15\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12734,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local Government Personnel, Qualification for Office, Bonds, Dual Office Holding and Certain Local Government Officers","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":153003,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12734,"identifier":"15","token":"15.2\/II\/15","url":"\/15.2\/II\/15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":71801,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1500","catch_line":"Organization of local government","url":"\/15.2-1500\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1500","metadata":false},{"id":60492,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1500.1","catch_line":"Employment discrimination prohibited; sexual orientation or gender identity","url":"\/15.2-1500.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1500.1","metadata":false},{"id":79919,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1501","catch_line":"Designation of officers to perform certain duties","url":"\/15.2-1501\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1501","metadata":false},{"id":82241,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1502","catch_line":"Employment of certain deputies and assistants; delegation of powers and duties","url":"\/15.2-1502\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1502","metadata":false},{"id":58363,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1503","catch_line":"Tenure of officers and employees; suspension or removal","url":"\/15.2-1503\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1503","metadata":false},{"id":79703,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1503.1","catch_line":"Background checks required for certain employees and licensees","url":"\/15.2-1503.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1503.1","metadata":false},{"id":58265,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1504","catch_line":"Use of tobacco products by government employees","url":"\/15.2-1504\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1504","metadata":false},{"id":84800,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1505","catch_line":"Employment based on residency prohibited for certain employees","url":"\/15.2-1505\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1505","metadata":false},{"id":65546,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1505.1","catch_line":"Applicant preemployment information","url":"\/15.2-1505.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1505.1","metadata":false},{"id":72505,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1505.2","catch_line":"Personnel policies related to the use of public property","url":"\/15.2-1505.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1505.2","metadata":false},{"id":81798,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1505.3","catch_line":"Localities prohibited from inquiring about arrests, charges, or convictions on employment applications; exceptions","url":"\/15.2-1505.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1505.3","metadata":false},{"id":57426,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1506","catch_line":"Establishment of grievance procedure, personnel system and uniform pay plan for employees","url":"\/15.2-1506\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1506","metadata":false},{"id":77432,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1507","catch_line":"Provision of grievance procedure; training programs","url":"\/15.2-1507\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1507","metadata":false},{"id":55230,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1507.1","catch_line":"Appointment of standing panel in certain counties","url":"\/15.2-1507.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1507.1","metadata":false},{"id":64897,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1508","catch_line":"Bonuses for employees of local governments","url":"\/15.2-1508\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1508","metadata":false},{"id":60894,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1508.1","catch_line":"Traveling expenses on business of town, city or county","url":"\/15.2-1508.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1508.1","metadata":false},{"id":74011,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1508.2","catch_line":"Same; where Commonwealth bears portion of expenses","url":"\/15.2-1508.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1508.2","metadata":false},{"id":85992,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1508.3","catch_line":"Governing bodies of certain cities and counties may supplement salaries and reimburse traveling expenses of employees of state and local health departments","url":"\/15.2-1508.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1508.3","metadata":false},{"id":65944,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1508.4","catch_line":"Certain counties and cities may supplement salaries and reimburse traveling expenses of employees of state mental health clinics","url":"\/15.2-1508.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1508.4","metadata":false},{"id":83110,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1509","catch_line":"Preferences for veterans and people with disabilities in local government employment","url":"\/15.2-1509\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1509","metadata":false},{"id":57101,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1510","catch_line":"Retirement systems","url":"\/15.2-1510\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1510","metadata":false},{"id":68675,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1510.1","catch_line":"Public announcement of severance packages for certain officials","url":"\/15.2-1510.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1510.1","metadata":false},{"id":62802,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1511","catch_line":"Allowances to injured officials and employees and their dependents","url":"\/15.2-1511\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1511","metadata":false},{"id":62508,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1511.01","catch_line":"Allowances to injured deputy sheriffs","url":"\/15.2-1511.01\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1511.01","metadata":false},{"id":86864,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1511.1","catch_line":"Written benefit information to certain employees","url":"\/15.2-1511.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1511.1","metadata":false},{"id":66960,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512","catch_line":"Oath and bond","url":"\/15.2-1512\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512","metadata":false},{"id":54736,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.1","catch_line":"Disposition of property received by subdivisions as result of conversion of mutual insurance company to stock corporation","url":"\/15.2-1512.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.1","metadata":false},{"id":85589,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.2","catch_line":"Political activities of employees of localities, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and law-enforcement officers and certain other officers and employees","url":"\/15.2-1512.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.2","metadata":false},{"id":66378,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.3","catch_line":"Telecommuting by local government employees","url":"\/15.2-1512.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.3","metadata":false},{"id":55640,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.4","catch_line":"Rights of local employees to contact elected officials","url":"\/15.2-1512.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.4","metadata":false},{"id":58777,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.5","catch_line":"Authority of local government employees to issue summonses for misdemeanor violations of certain local ordinances","url":"\/15.2-1512.5\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":71801,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1500","catch_line":"Organization of local government","url":"\/15.2-1500\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1500","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":79919,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1501","catch_line":"Designation of officers to perform certain duties","url":"\/15.2-1501\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1501","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1500.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1137\">1137<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1140\">1140<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2022, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?221+ful+CHAP0799\">799<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":153011,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60492,"identifier":"15.2-1500.1","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1500.1","url":"\/15.2-1500.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1500.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1500.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Employment discrimination prohibited; sexual orientation or gender identity","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1500.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Age<\/span>&#8221; means being an individual who is at least 40 years of <span class=\"dictionary\">age<\/span>.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Military status<\/span>&#8221; means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. &#xA7; 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. &#xA7; 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. &#xA7; 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. &#xA7; 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.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Religion<\/span>&#8221; includes any outward expression of religious faith, including adherence to religious dressing and grooming practices and the carrying or display of religious items or symbols. <a id=\"paragraph-221173\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-1500.1\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> No department, office, board, commission, agency, or instrumentality of <span class=\"dictionary\">local government<\/span> shall discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, <span class=\"dictionary\">religion<\/span>, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, <span class=\"dictionary\">age<\/span>, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or <span class=\"dictionary\">military status<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-221174\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-1500.1\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not prohibit (i) discrimination in employment on the basis of sex or <span class=\"dictionary\">age<\/span> in those instances when sex or <span class=\"dictionary\">age<\/span> is a bona fide occupational qualification for employment or (ii) providing preference in employment to veterans. <a id=\"paragraph-221175\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-1500.1\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED; SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY (\u00a7\n15.2-1500.1)\n\nA. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Age&#8221; means being an individual who is at least 40 years of age.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Military status&#8221; means status as (i) a member of the uniformed\nforces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. &#xA7; 101(a)(5), of the United States or a\nreserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. &#xA7; 10101, (ii) a veteran as\ndefined in 38 U.S.C. &#xA7; 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C.\n&#xA7; 3911(4) except that the support provided by the service member to the\nindividual shall have been provided 180 days immediately preceding an alleged\naction that if proven true would constitute unlawful discrimination under this\nsection instead of 180 days immediately preceding an application for relief\nunder 50 U.S.C. Chapter 50.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Religion&#8221; includes any outward expression of religious faith,\nincluding adherence to religious dressing and grooming practices and the\ncarrying or display of religious items or symbols.\n\nB. No department, office, board, commission, agency, or instrumentality of local\ngovernment shall discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color,\nreligion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical\nconditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender\nidentity, or military status.\n\nC. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit (i) discrimination in\nemployment on the basis of sex or age in those instances when sex or age is a\nbona fide occupational qualification for employment or (ii) providing preference\nin employment to veterans.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, cc. 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2022, c. 799.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}