{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-853.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-853.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-853.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-853.html"}],"law_id":79958,"edition_id":1,"section_id":79958,"structure_id":15315,"section_number":"15.2-853","catch_line":"Commission on human rights; human rights ordinance","history":"1986, c. 495, \u00a7 15.1-783.1; 1989, c. 355; 1997, cc. 404, 587; 2020, cc. 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2022, c. 799.","full_text":"A county may enact an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in housing, real estate transactions, employment, public accommodations, credit, and education on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, military status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The board may enact an ordinance establishing a local commission on human rights that shall have the following powers and duties:\n\n1\n\nTo promote policies to ensure that all persons be afforded equal opportunity;2\n\nTo serve as an agency for receiving, investigating, holding hearings, processing, and assisting in the voluntary resolution of complaints regarding discriminatory practices occurring within the county;3\n\nWith the approval of the county attorney, to seek, through appropriate enforcement authorities, prevention of or relief from a violation of any ordinance prohibiting discrimination; and4\n\nTo exercise such other powers and duties as provided in this article. However, the commission shall have no power itself to issue subpoenas, award damages, or grant injunctive relief.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this article, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t\t“Military status” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. § 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 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“Person” means one or more individuals, labor unions, partnerships, corporations, associations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint-stock companies, trusts, or unincorporated organizations.\n\t\t\t“Religion” 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.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":286376,"text":"A county may enact an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in housing, real estate transactions, employment, public accommodations, credit, and education on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, military status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The board may enact an ordinance establishing a local commission on human rights that shall have the following powers and duties:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":286377,"text":"To promote policies to ensure that all persons be afforded equal opportunity;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":286378,"text":"To serve as an agency for receiving, investigating, holding hearings, processing, and assisting in the voluntary resolution of complaints regarding discriminatory practices occurring within the county;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":286379,"text":"With the approval of the county attorney, to seek, through appropriate enforcement authorities, prevention of or relief from a violation of any ordinance prohibiting discrimination; and","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":286380,"text":"To exercise such other powers and duties as provided in this article. However, the commission shall have no power itself to issue subpoenas, award damages, or grant injunctive relief.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this article, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t\t“Military status” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. § 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 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“Person” means one or more individuals, labor unions, partnerships, corporations, associations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint-stock companies, trusts, or unincorporated organizations.\n\t\t\t“Religion” 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":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15315,"edition_id":1,"name":"Human Rights","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14133,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:53","permalink":{"id":152339,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15315,"identifier":"3","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/3","url":"\/15.2\/I\/8\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14133,"edition_id":1,"name":"Urban County Executive Form of Government","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13138,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:58","permalink":{"id":152109,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14133,"identifier":"8","token":"15.2\/I\/8","url":"\/15.2\/I\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13138,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions; Charters; Other Forms and Organization of Counties","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","permalink":{"id":151281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13138,"identifier":"I","token":"15.2\/I","url":"\/15.2\/I\/","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":79958,"structure_id":15315,"section_number":"15.2-853","catch_line":"Commission on human rights; human rights ordinance","url":"\/15.2-853\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/3\/15.2-853","metadata":false},{"id":58311,"structure_id":15315,"section_number":"15.2-854","catch_line":"Investigations","url":"\/15.2-854\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/3\/15.2-854","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":58311,"structure_id":15315,"section_number":"15.2-854","catch_line":"Investigations","url":"\/15.2-854\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/3\/15.2-854","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-853\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1986. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 495 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. Unfortunately, the 1986 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1989, chapter 355; in 1997, chapters 404<\/a> and 587<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 1137<\/a> and 1140<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 799<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":58822,"section_number":"2.2-524","catch_line":"Powers of local commissions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-524\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":152341,"object_type":"law","relational_id":79958,"identifier":"15.2-853","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/3\/15.2-853","url":"\/15.2-853\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-853\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/3\/15.2-853","dublin_core":{"Title":"Commission on human rights; human rights ordinance","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-853","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A county<\/span> may enact an ordinance<\/span> prohibiting discrimination in housing, real estate transactions, employment, public accommodations, credit, and education on the basis of race, color, religion<\/span>, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, military status<\/span>, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The board may enact an ordinance<\/span> establishing a local commission on human rights that shall have the following powers and duties:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To promote policies to ensure that all persons<\/span> be afforded equal opportunity; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To serve as an agency for receiving, investigating, holding hearings<\/span>, processing, and assisting in the voluntary resolution of complaints regarding discriminatory practices occurring within the county<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> With the approval of the county<\/span> attorney, to seek, through appropriate enforcement authorities, prevention of or relief from a violation of any ordinance<\/span> prohibiting discrimination; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To exercise such other powers and duties as provided in this article. However, the commission shall have no power itself to issue<\/span> subpoenas<\/span>, award damages<\/span>, or grant injunctive relief.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this article, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t\t“Military status<\/span>” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. § 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 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“Person<\/span>” means one or more individuals, labor unions, partnerships, corporations, associations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint-stock companies, trusts, or unincorporated organizations.\n\t\t\t“Religion<\/span>” 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. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS; HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE (\u00a7 15.2-853)\n\nA county may enact an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in housing, real\nestate transactions, employment, public accommodations, credit, and education on\nthe basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related\nmedical conditions, national origin, military status, age, marital status,\nsexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The board may enact an\nordinance establishing a local commission on human rights that shall have the\nfollowing powers and duties:\n\n1. To promote policies to ensure that all persons be afforded equal opportunity;\n\n2. To serve as an agency for receiving, investigating, holding hearings,\nprocessing, and assisting in the voluntary resolution of complaints regarding\ndiscriminatory practices occurring within the county;\n\n3. With the approval of the county attorney, to seek, through appropriate\nenforcement authorities, prevention of or relief from a violation of any\nordinance prohibiting discrimination; and\n\n4. To exercise such other powers and duties as provided in this article.\nHowever, the commission shall have no power itself to issue subpoenas, award\ndamages, or grant injunctive relief.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this article, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t\t“Military status” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed\nforces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(5), of the United States or a\nreserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. § 10101, (ii) a veteran as\ndefined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C.\n§ 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“Person” means one or more individuals, labor unions,\npartnerships, corporations, associations, legal representatives, mutual\ncompanies, joint-stock companies, trusts, or unincorporated organizations.\n\t\t\t“Religion” 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\nHISTORY: 1986, c. 495, \u00a7 15.1-783.1; 1989, c. 355; 1997, cc. 404, 587; 2020,\ncc. 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}}