{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-241.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-241.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-241.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-241.2.html"}],"law_id":64854,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64854,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-241.2","catch_line":"Proceedings against certain parents","history":"1994, c. 813; 1995, c. 852; 1996, c. 771; 2004, c. 573.","full_text":"A\n\nUpon the failure of a parent to comply with the provisions of \u00a7 22.1-279.3, the school board may, by petition to the juvenile and domestic relations court, proceed against such parent for willful and unreasonable refusal to participate in efforts to improve the student’s behavior as follows:1\n\nIf the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to meet, pursuant to a request of the principal as set forth in subsection D of § 22.1-279.3, to review the school board’s standards of student conduct and the parent’s responsibility to assist the school in disciplining the student, maintaining order, or ensuring the child’s school attendance, and to discuss improvement of the child’s behavior, school attendance, or educational progress, it may order the parent to so meet; or2\n\nIf the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to accompany a suspended student to meet with school officials pursuant to subsection F of § 22.1-279.3, or upon the student receiving a second suspension or being expelled, it may order (i) the student or his parent to participate in such programs or such treatment as the court deems appropriate to improve the student’s behavior, including, but not limited to, extended day programs and summer school or other education programs and counseling, or (ii) the student or his parent to be subject to such conditions and limitations as the court deems appropriate for the supervision, care, and rehabilitation of the student or his parent; in addition, the court may order the parent to pay a civil penalty not to exceed $500.\n\t\t\t\tThe court may use its contempt power to enforce any order entered under this section.B\n\nThe civil penalties established pursuant to this section shall be enforceable in the juvenile and domestic relations court or its successor in interest in which the student’s school is located and shall be paid into a fund maintained by the appropriate local governing body to support programs or treatments designed to improve the behavior and school attendance of students as described in subdivision 2 of subsection G of § 22.1-279.3. Upon the failure to pay any civil penalties imposed by this section and § 22.1-279.3, the attorney for the appropriate county, city, or town shall enforce the collection of such civil penalties.C\n\nFor the purposes of this section and § 22.1-279.3, “parent” or “parents” means any parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other person having control or charge of a child.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":236025,"text":"Upon the failure of a parent to comply with the provisions of \u00a7 22.1-279.3, the school board may, by petition to the juvenile and domestic relations court, proceed against such parent for willful and unreasonable refusal to participate in efforts to improve the student’s behavior as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":236026,"text":"If the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to meet, pursuant to a request of the principal as set forth in subsection D of § 22.1-279.3, to review the school board’s standards of student conduct and the parent’s responsibility to assist the school in disciplining the student, maintaining order, or ensuring the child’s school attendance, and to discuss improvement of the child’s behavior, school attendance, or educational progress, it may order the parent to so meet; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":236027,"text":"If the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to accompany a suspended student to meet with school officials pursuant to subsection F of § 22.1-279.3, or upon the student receiving a second suspension or being expelled, it may order (i) the student or his parent to participate in such programs or such treatment as the court deems appropriate to improve the student’s behavior, including, but not limited to, extended day programs and summer school or other education programs and counseling, or (ii) the student or his parent to be subject to such conditions and limitations as the court deems appropriate for the supervision, care, and rehabilitation of the student or his parent; in addition, the court may order the parent to pay a civil penalty not to exceed $500.\n\t\t\t\tThe court may use its contempt power to enforce any order entered under this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"B"},"3":{"id":236028,"text":"The civil penalties established pursuant to this section shall be enforceable in the juvenile and domestic relations court or its successor in interest in which the student’s school is located and shall be paid into a fund maintained by the appropriate local governing body to support programs or treatments designed to improve the behavior and school attendance of students as described in subdivision 2 of subsection G of § 22.1-279.3. Upon the failure to pay any civil penalties imposed by this section and § 22.1-279.3, the attorney for the appropriate county, city, or town shall enforce the collection of such civil penalties.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":236029,"text":"For the purposes of this section and § 22.1-279.3, “parent” or “parents” means any parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other person having control or charge of a child.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13723,"edition_id":1,"name":"Jurisdiction and Venue","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12701,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:40","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:40","permalink":{"id":161481,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13723,"identifier":"3","token":"16.1\/11\/3","url":"\/16.1\/11\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12701,"edition_id":1,"name":"Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12701,"identifier":"11","token":"16.1\/11","url":"\/16.1\/11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","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":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":71312,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-241","catch_line":"Jurisdiction; consent for abortion","url":"\/16.1-241\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-241","metadata":false},{"id":56537,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-241.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-241.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-241.1","metadata":false},{"id":64854,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-241.2","catch_line":"Proceedings against certain parents","url":"\/16.1-241.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-241.2","metadata":false},{"id":69856,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-241.3","catch_line":"Newborn children; substance abuse","url":"\/16.1-241.3\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-241.3","metadata":false},{"id":54717,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-242","catch_line":"Retention of jurisdiction","url":"\/16.1-242\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-242","metadata":false},{"id":83429,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-242.1","catch_line":"Retention of jurisdiction; appeals involving children in foster care","url":"\/16.1-242.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-242.1","metadata":false},{"id":71654,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-243","catch_line":"Venue","url":"\/16.1-243\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-243","metadata":false},{"id":60259,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-244","catch_line":"Concurrent jurisdiction; exceptions","url":"\/16.1-244\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-244","metadata":false},{"id":69416,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-245","catch_line":"Transfer from other courts","url":"\/16.1-245\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-245","metadata":false},{"id":59845,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-245.1","catch_line":"Medical evidence admissible in juvenile and domestic relations district court","url":"\/16.1-245.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-245.1","metadata":false},{"id":72275,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-245.2","catch_line":"Evidence of medical reports, statements, or records; testimony of health care provider or custodian of records in juvenile and domestic relations district court; custody, visitation, placement, and support cases","url":"\/16.1-245.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-245.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":56537,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-241.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-241.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-241.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":69856,"structure_id":13723,"section_number":"16.1-241.3","catch_line":"Newborn children; substance abuse","url":"\/16.1-241.3\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-241.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-241.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1994. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 813<\/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 3 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 852<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 771<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 573<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":71312,"section_number":"16.1-241","catch_line":"Jurisdiction; consent for abortion","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-241\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":54140,"section_number":"22.1-279.3","catch_line":"Parental responsibility and involvement requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-279.3\/"}],"permalink":{"id":161491,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64854,"identifier":"16.1-241.2","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-241.2","url":"\/16.1-241.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-241.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/3\/16.1-241.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Proceedings against certain parents","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-241.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Upon the failure of a parent<\/span> to comply with the provisions of \u00a7 22.1-279.3<\/a>, the school board may, by petition<\/span> to the juvenile and domestic relations court<\/span>, proceed against such parent<\/span> for willful and unreasonable refusal to participate in efforts to improve the student’s behavior as follows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> If the court<\/span> finds that the parent<\/span> has willfully and unreasonably failed to meet, pursuant to a request of the principal as set forth in subsection D of § 22.1-279.3<\/a>, to review the school board’s standards of student conduct and the parent<\/span>’s responsibility to assist the school in disciplining the student, maintaining order<\/span>, or ensuring the child’s school attendance, and to discuss improvement of the child’s behavior, school attendance, or educational progress, it may order<\/span> the parent<\/span> to so meet; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> If the court<\/span> finds that the parent<\/span> has willfully and unreasonably failed to accompany a suspended student to meet with school officials pursuant to subsection F of § 22.1-279.3<\/a>, or upon the student receiving a second suspension or being expelled, it may order<\/span> (i) the student or his parent<\/span> to participate in such programs or such treatment as the court<\/span> deems appropriate to improve the student’s behavior, including, but not limited to, extended day programs and summer school or other education programs and counseling, or (ii) the student or his parent<\/span> to be subject to such conditions and limitations as the court<\/span> deems appropriate for the supervision, care, and rehabilitation of the student or his parent<\/span>; in addition, the court<\/span> may order<\/span> the parent<\/span> to pay a civil penalty<\/span> not to exceed $500.\n\t\t\t\tThe court<\/span> may use its contempt<\/span> power to enforce any order<\/span> entered under this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The civil penalties established pursuant to this section shall be enforceable in the juvenile and domestic relations court<\/span> or its successor in interest in which the student’s school is located and shall be paid into a fund maintained by the appropriate local governing body to support programs or treatments designed to improve the behavior and school attendance of students as described in subdivision 2 of subsection G of § 22.1-279.3<\/a>. Upon the failure to pay any civil penalties imposed by this section and § 22.1-279.3<\/a>, the attorney for the appropriate county, city, or town shall enforce the collection of such civil penalties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> For the purposes of this section and § 22.1-279.3<\/a>, “parent<\/span>” or “parents<\/span><\/span>” means any parent<\/span>, guardian, legal custodian, or other person having control or charge of a child. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROCEEDINGS AGAINST CERTAIN PARENTS (\u00a7 16.1-241.2)\n\nA. Upon the failure of a parent to comply with the provisions of \u00a7 22.1-279.3,\nthe school board may, by petition to the juvenile and domestic relations court,\nproceed against such parent for willful and unreasonable refusal to participate\nin efforts to improve the student’s behavior as follows:\n\n 1. If the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to\n meet, pursuant to a request of the principal as set forth in subsection D of\n § 22.1-279.3, to review the school board’s standards of student\n conduct and the parent’s responsibility to assist the school in\n disciplining the student, maintaining order, or ensuring the child’s\n school attendance, and to discuss improvement of the child’s behavior,\n school attendance, or educational progress, it may order the parent to so\n meet; or\n\n 2. If the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to\n accompany a suspended student to meet with school officials pursuant to\n subsection F of § 22.1-279.3, or upon the student receiving a second\n suspension or being expelled, it may order (i) the student or his parent to\n participate in such programs or such treatment as the court deems appropriate\n to improve the student’s behavior, including, but not limited to,\n extended day programs and summer school or other education programs and\n counseling, or (ii) the student or his parent to be subject to such conditions\n and limitations as the court deems appropriate for the supervision, care, and\n rehabilitation of the student or his parent; in addition, the court may order\n the parent to pay a civil penalty not to exceed $500.\n \t\t\t\tThe court may use its contempt power to enforce any order entered under\n this section.\n\nB. The civil penalties established pursuant to this section shall be enforceable\nin the juvenile and domestic relations court or its successor in interest in\nwhich the student’s school is located and shall be paid into a fund\nmaintained by the appropriate local governing body to support programs or\ntreatments designed to improve the behavior and school attendance of students as\ndescribed in subdivision 2 of subsection G of § 22.1-279.3. Upon the\nfailure to pay any civil penalties imposed by this section and §\n22.1-279.3, the attorney for the appropriate county, city, or town shall enforce\nthe collection of such civil penalties.\n\nC. For the purposes of this section and § 22.1-279.3, “parent”\nor “parents” means any parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other\nperson having control or charge of a child.\n\nHISTORY: 1994, c. 813; 1995, c. 852; 1996, c. 771; 2004, c. 573.","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}}