{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1709.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1709.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1709.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1709.html"}],"law_id":71374,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71374,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1709","catch_line":"Employer immunity from liability; disclosure of information regarding former deputy sheriffs and law-enforcement officers","history":"1994, cc. 850, 905, \u00a7 15.1-131.8:4; 1995, c. 112; 1997, c. 587; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 32, 37.","full_text":"Any sheriff or chief of police, any director or chief executive of any agency or department employing deputy sheriffs or law-enforcement officers as defined in \u00a7 9.1-101 or jail officers as defined in \u00a7 53.1-1, and the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services or his designee who discloses information about a former deputy sheriff&#8217;s or law-enforcement officer&#8217;s or jail officer&#8217;s job performance or information requested pursuant to subsection B of \u00a7 15.2-1705 to a prospective law-enforcement or jail employer of the former appointee or employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless the information disclosed by the former employer was knowingly false or deliberately misleading, was rendered with malicious purpose, or violated any civil right of the former employee or appointee.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":257342,"text":"Any sheriff or chief of police, any director or chief executive of any agency or department employing deputy sheriffs or law-enforcement officers as defined in \u00a7 9.1-101 or jail officers as defined in \u00a7 53.1-1, and the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services or his designee who discloses information about a former deputy sheriff&#8217;s or law-enforcement officer&#8217;s or jail officer&#8217;s job performance or information requested pursuant to subsection B of \u00a7 15.2-1705 to a prospective law-enforcement or jail employer of the former appointee or employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless the information disclosed by the former employer was knowingly false or deliberately misleading, was rendered with malicious purpose, or violated any civil right of the former employee or appointee.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13483,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13482,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","permalink":{"id":153749,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13483,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/17\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13482,"edition_id":1,"name":"Police and Public Order","identifier":"17","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","permalink":{"id":153747,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13482,"identifier":"17","token":"15.2\/II\/17","url":"\/15.2\/II\/17\/","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":59436,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1700","catch_line":"Preservation of peace and good order","url":"\/15.2-1700\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1700","metadata":false},{"id":82838,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1701","catch_line":"Organization of police forces","url":"\/15.2-1701\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1701","metadata":false},{"id":73443,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1702","catch_line":"Referendum required prior to establishment of county police force","url":"\/15.2-1702\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1702","metadata":false},{"id":81008,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1703","catch_line":"Referendum to abolish county police force","url":"\/15.2-1703\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1703","metadata":false},{"id":74490,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1704","catch_line":"Powers and duties of police force","url":"\/15.2-1704\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1704","metadata":false},{"id":78495,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1705","catch_line":"Minimum qualifications; waiver","url":"\/15.2-1705\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1705","metadata":false},{"id":85175,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1706","catch_line":"Certification through training required for all law-enforcement officers; waiver of requirements","url":"\/15.2-1706\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1706","metadata":false},{"id":65694,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1707","catch_line":"Decertification of law-enforcement officers and jail officers","url":"\/15.2-1707\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1707","metadata":false},{"id":69038,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1708","catch_line":"Notice of decertification; decertification review process","url":"\/15.2-1708\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1708","metadata":false},{"id":71374,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1709","catch_line":"Employer immunity from liability; disclosure of information regarding former deputy sheriffs and law-enforcement officers","url":"\/15.2-1709\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1709","metadata":false},{"id":59628,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1710","catch_line":"Fees and other compensation","url":"\/15.2-1710\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1710","metadata":false},{"id":86731,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1710.1","catch_line":"Arrest or summons quota prohibited","url":"\/15.2-1710.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1710.1","metadata":false},{"id":63376,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1711","catch_line":"Providing legal fees and expenses for law-enforcement officers; repayment to locality of two-thirds of amount by Compensation Board","url":"\/15.2-1711\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1711","metadata":false},{"id":63610,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1712","catch_line":"Employment of off-duty officers","url":"\/15.2-1712\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1712","metadata":false},{"id":77061,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1713","catch_line":"Localities authorized to offer and pay rewards in felony and misdemeanor cases","url":"\/15.2-1713\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1713","metadata":false},{"id":87347,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1713.1","catch_line":"Local \"Crime Stoppers\" programs; confidentiality","url":"\/15.2-1713.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1713.1","metadata":false},{"id":60435,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1714","catch_line":"Establishing police lines, perimeters, or barricades","url":"\/15.2-1714\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1714","metadata":false},{"id":81983,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1715","catch_line":"Authority to declare Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdictions; expenditure of funds","url":"\/15.2-1715\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1715","metadata":false},{"id":73688,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to DUI and related incidents","url":"\/15.2-1716\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716","metadata":false},{"id":54447,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716.1","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to terrorism hoax incident, bomb threat, or malicious activation of fire alarm","url":"\/15.2-1716.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716.1","metadata":false},{"id":61242,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716.2","catch_line":"Methamphetamine lab cleanup costs; localities may charge for reimbursement","url":"\/15.2-1716.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716.2","metadata":false},{"id":63062,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1717","catch_line":"Preventing interference with pupils at schools","url":"\/15.2-1717\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1717","metadata":false},{"id":75499,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1717.1","catch_line":"Designation of police to enforce trespass violations","url":"\/15.2-1717.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1717.1","metadata":false},{"id":86283,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718","catch_line":"Receipt of missing child reports","url":"\/15.2-1718\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718","metadata":false},{"id":82937,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718.1","catch_line":"Receipt of missing senior adult reports","url":"\/15.2-1718.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718.1","metadata":false},{"id":68631,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718.2","catch_line":"Receipt of critically missing adult reports","url":"\/15.2-1718.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718.2","metadata":false},{"id":85242,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1719","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed property in possession of sheriff or police","url":"\/15.2-1719\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1719","metadata":false},{"id":81997,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1720","catch_line":"Localities authorized to license bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices; disposition of unclaimed bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices","url":"\/15.2-1720\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1720","metadata":false},{"id":77275,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1721","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed firearms or other weapons in possession of sheriff or police","url":"\/15.2-1721\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721","metadata":false},{"id":61487,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1721.1","catch_line":"Acquisition of military property by localities","url":"\/15.2-1721.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721.1","metadata":false},{"id":59331,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1722","catch_line":"Certain records to be kept by sheriffs and chiefs of police","url":"\/15.2-1722\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1722","metadata":false},{"id":67755,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1722.1","catch_line":"Prohibited practices; collection of data","url":"\/15.2-1722.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1722.1","metadata":false},{"id":70576,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723","catch_line":"Validation of certain police forces","url":"\/15.2-1723\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723","metadata":false},{"id":60551,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723.1","catch_line":"Body-worn camera system","url":"\/15.2-1723.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723.1","metadata":false},{"id":78195,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723.2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Facial recognition technology; approval","url":"\/15.2-1723.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69038,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1708","catch_line":"Notice of decertification; decertification review process","url":"\/15.2-1708\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1708","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59628,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1710","catch_line":"Fees and other compensation","url":"\/15.2-1710\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1710","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1709\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1994. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?941+ful+CHAP0850\">850<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?941+ful+CHAP0905\">905<\/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 2 times. 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. Those modifications are as follows: in 1995, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?951+ful+CHAP0112\">112<\/a>; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":78495,"section_number":"15.2-1705","catch_line":"Minimum qualifications; waiver","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1705\/"},{"id":85635,"section_number":"53.1-1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-1\/"},{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"}],"permalink":{"id":153787,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71374,"identifier":"15.2-1709","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1709","url":"\/15.2-1709\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1709\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1709","dublin_core":{"Title":"Employer immunity from liability; disclosure of information regarding former deputy sheriffs and law-enforcement officers","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1709","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Any sheriff or chief of police, any director or chief executive of any agency or department employing deputy sheriffs or <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement officers as defined in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions\" href=\"\/9.1-101\/\">9.1-101<\/a> or jail officers as defined in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/53.1-1\/\">53.1-1<\/a>, and the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services or his designee who discloses information about a former deputy sheriff&#8217;s or <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement officer&#8217;s or jail officer&#8217;s job performance or information requested pursuant to subsection B of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Minimum qualifications; waiver\" href=\"\/15.2-1705\/\">15.2-1705<\/a> to a prospective <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement or jail employer of the former appointee or employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless the information disclosed by the former employer was knowingly false or deliberately misleading, was rendered with <span class=\"dictionary\">malicious<\/span> purpose, or violated any civil right of the former employee or appointee.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEMPLOYER IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY; DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION REGARDING FORMER\nDEPUTY SHERIFFS AND LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS (\u00a7 15.2-1709)\n\nAny sheriff or chief of police, any director or chief executive of any agency or\ndepartment employing deputy sheriffs or law-enforcement officers as defined in\n\u00a7 9.1-101 or jail officers as defined in \u00a7 53.1-1, and the Director of the\nDepartment of Criminal Justice Services or his designee who discloses\ninformation about a former deputy sheriff&#8217;s or law-enforcement\nofficer&#8217;s or jail officer&#8217;s job performance or information requested\npursuant to subsection B of \u00a7 15.2-1705 to a prospective law-enforcement or\njail employer of the former appointee or employee is immune from civil liability\nfor such disclosure or its consequences unless the information disclosed by the\nformer employer was knowingly false or deliberately misleading, was rendered\nwith malicious purpose, or violated any civil right of the former employee or\nappointee.\n\nHISTORY: 1994, cc. 850, 905, \u00a7 15.1-131.8:4; 1995, c. 112; 1997, c. 587; 2020,\nSp. Sess. I, cc. 32, 37.","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}}