{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1503.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1503.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1503.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1503.html"}],"law_id":58363,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58363,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1503","catch_line":"Tenure of officers and employees; suspension or removal","history":"1997, c. 587.","full_text":"A\n\nAll appointments of officers and hiring of other employees by a locality shall be without definite term, unless for temporary services not to exceed one year or except as otherwise provided by general law or special act.B\n\nAny officer or employee of a locality employed pursuant to subsection A of this section may be suspended or removed from office or employment in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA7; 24.2-230 through 24.2-238, if such sections are applicable. Otherwise, any such employee may be suspended or removed in accordance with procedure established by special act or by the governing body, if any.C\n\nIn case of the absence or disability of any officer or employee, the governing body or other appointing power may designate some responsible person to temporarily perform the duties of the office.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":213730,"text":"All appointments of officers and hiring of other employees by a locality shall be without definite term, unless for temporary services not to exceed one year or except as otherwise provided by general law or special act.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":213731,"text":"Any officer or employee of a locality employed pursuant to subsection A of this section may be suspended or removed from office or employment in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA7; 24.2-230 through 24.2-238, if such sections are applicable. Otherwise, any such employee may be suspended or removed in accordance with procedure established by special act or by the governing body, if any.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":213732,"text":"In case of the absence or disability of any officer or employee, the governing body or other appointing power may designate some responsible person to temporarily perform the duties of the office.","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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1503\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1997. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/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.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82241,"section_number":"15.2-1502","catch_line":"Employment of certain deputies and assistants; delegation of powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1502\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":63359,"section_number":"24.2-230","catch_line":"Applicability of article; certain exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-230\/"},{"id":79620,"section_number":"24.2-238","catch_line":"Costs","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-238\/"}],"permalink":{"id":153023,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58363,"identifier":"15.2-1503","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1503","url":"\/15.2-1503\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1503\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1503","dublin_core":{"Title":"Tenure of officers and employees; suspension or removal","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1503","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> All appointments of officers and hiring of other employees by a <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> shall be without definite term, unless for temporary services not to exceed one year or except as otherwise provided by general <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> or special act. <a id=\"paragraph-213730\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-1503\/#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> Any officer or employee of a <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> employed pursuant to subsection A of this section may be suspended or removed from office or employment in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Applicability of article; certain exceptions\" href=\"\/24.2-230\/\">24.2-230<\/a> through <a class=\"law\" title=\"Costs\" href=\"\/24.2-238\/\">24.2-238<\/a>, if such sections are applicable. Otherwise, any such employee may be suspended or removed in accordance with procedure established by special act or by the <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span>, if any. <a id=\"paragraph-213731\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-1503\/#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> In case of the absence or disability of any officer or employee, the <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span> or other appointing power may designate some responsible person to temporarily perform the duties of the office. <a id=\"paragraph-213732\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-1503\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTENURE OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; SUSPENSION OR REMOVAL (\u00a7 15.2-1503)\n\nA. All appointments of officers and hiring of other employees by a locality\nshall be without definite term, unless for temporary services not to exceed one\nyear or except as otherwise provided by general law or special act.\n\nB. Any officer or employee of a locality employed pursuant to subsection A of\nthis section may be suspended or removed from office or employment in accordance\nwith the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA7; 24.2-230 through 24.2-238, if such sections\nare applicable. Otherwise, any such employee may be suspended or removed in\naccordance with procedure established by special act or by the governing body,\nif any.\n\nC. In case of the absence or disability of any officer or employee, the\ngoverning body or other appointing power may designate some responsible person\nto temporarily perform the duties of the office.\n\nHISTORY: 1997, c. 587.","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}}