{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-2817.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-2817.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-2817.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-2817.html"}],"law_id":73024,"edition_id":1,"section_id":73024,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2817","catch_line":"Defense of employees","history":"2000, c. 1030, \u00a7 2.1-20.1:8; 2001, c. 844.","full_text":"Notwithstanding any other law, if any state employee, as defined in this chapter, is investigated for a crime, arrested or indicted, or otherwise prosecuted on any charge, arising out of any act committed in the discharge of his official duties, the state agency, board, or other employer of such state employee, upon a preliminary finding by such agency, board or employer that (i) the employee did not violate any law, ordinance or regulation as a result of the act in question and (ii) the employee will not be terminated from employment as a result of such act, may employ special counsel approved by the Attorney General to defend such person. The reasonable compensation for special counsel employed, pursuant to this section, shall, subject to the approval of the Attorney General, be paid out of the funds appropriated for the state agency, board, or other employer of such state employee.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":262952,"text":"Notwithstanding any other law, if any state employee, as defined in this chapter, is investigated for a crime, arrested or indicted, or otherwise prosecuted on any charge, arising out of any act committed in the discharge of his official duties, the state agency, board, or other employer of such state employee, upon a preliminary finding by such agency, board or employer that (i) the employee did not violate any law, ordinance or regulation as a result of the act in question and (ii) the employee will not be terminated from employment as a result of such act, may employ special counsel approved by the Attorney General to defend such person. The reasonable compensation for special counsel employed, pursuant to this section, shall, subject to the approval of the Attorney General, be paid out of the funds appropriated for the state agency, board, or other employer of such state employee.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14612,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"28","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13049,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:55","permalink":{"id":175735,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14612,"identifier":"28","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28","url":"\/2.2\/I\/E\/28\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13049,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Officers and Employees","identifier":"E","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","permalink":{"id":175733,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13049,"identifier":"E","token":"2.2\/I\/E","url":"\/2.2\/I\/E\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12784,"edition_id":1,"name":"Organization of State Government","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12749,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":171455,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12784,"identifier":"I","token":"2.2\/I","url":"\/2.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12749,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration of Government","identifier":"2.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":171453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12749,"identifier":"2.2","token":"2.2","url":"\/2.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68109,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2800","catch_line":"Disability to hold state office","url":"\/2.2-2800\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2800","metadata":false},{"id":80552,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2801","catch_line":"Disability to hold state office; exceptions","url":"\/2.2-2801\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2801","metadata":false},{"id":75134,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2802","catch_line":"Exception as to public officer or employee who engages in war service or is called to active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States","url":"\/2.2-2802\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2802","metadata":false},{"id":83200,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2803","catch_line":"Exception as to public officer or employee serving in the Selective Service System of the United States","url":"\/2.2-2803\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2803","metadata":false},{"id":86431,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2804","catch_line":"Selective Service compliance","url":"\/2.2-2804\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2804","metadata":false},{"id":69867,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2805","catch_line":"Members of armed forces; reserve forces","url":"\/2.2-2805\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2805","metadata":false},{"id":83533,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2806","catch_line":"Holding other office by officers of state institutions","url":"\/2.2-2806\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2806","metadata":false},{"id":74638,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2807","catch_line":"Prohibition against holding two elected offices simultaneously; exceptions","url":"\/2.2-2807\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2807","metadata":false},{"id":66395,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2808","catch_line":"Acts under color of office; contracts in violation of chapter","url":"\/2.2-2808\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2808","metadata":false},{"id":75253,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2809","catch_line":"Bonds of certain officers required; condition","url":"\/2.2-2809\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2809","metadata":false},{"id":69613,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2810","catch_line":"Premiums on such bonds","url":"\/2.2-2810\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2810","metadata":false},{"id":58498,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2811","catch_line":"Where bonds filed","url":"\/2.2-2811\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2811","metadata":false},{"id":73283,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2812","catch_line":"Employment of personnel","url":"\/2.2-2812\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2812","metadata":false},{"id":79679,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2812.1","catch_line":"State agencies prohibited from inquiring about arrests, charges, or convictions on employment applications; exceptions","url":"\/2.2-2812.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2812.1","metadata":false},{"id":71377,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2813","catch_line":"Definitions; compensation and expense payments from state funds for service on collegial bodies","url":"\/2.2-2813\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2813","metadata":false},{"id":72502,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2814","catch_line":"How salaries, expenses and other allowances paid; time of payment","url":"\/2.2-2814\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2814","metadata":false},{"id":65734,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2815","catch_line":"Increase in salaries","url":"\/2.2-2815\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2815","metadata":false},{"id":72671,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2816","catch_line":"Liability of salary of officer for debt he owes Commonwealth; how enforced; when officer's right to file petition barred","url":"\/2.2-2816\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2816","metadata":false},{"id":73024,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2817","catch_line":"Defense of employees","url":"\/2.2-2817\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2817","metadata":false},{"id":85515,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2817.1","catch_line":"State agencies to establish alternative work schedules; reporting requirement","url":"\/2.2-2817.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2817.1","metadata":false},{"id":61045,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2817.2","catch_line":"Employees of the University of Virginia Medical Center","url":"\/2.2-2817.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2817.2","metadata":false},{"id":68317,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2818","catch_line":"Health and related insurance for state employees","url":"\/2.2-2818\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2818","metadata":false},{"id":80971,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2818.01","catch_line":"Employer contributions","url":"\/2.2-2818.01\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2818.01","metadata":false},{"id":76713,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2818.1","catch_line":"Supplemental health insurance coverage; state employees eligible for military health insurance coverage","url":"\/2.2-2818.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2818.1","metadata":false},{"id":64235,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2818.2","catch_line":"Application of mandates to the state employee health insurance plan","url":"\/2.2-2818.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2818.2","metadata":false},{"id":77915,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2819","catch_line":"Purchase of continued health insurance coverage by the surviving spouse and any dependents of an active or retired state employee","url":"\/2.2-2819\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2819","metadata":false},{"id":56145,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2820","catch_line":"Purchase of health insurance coverage by part-time state employees","url":"\/2.2-2820\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2820","metadata":false},{"id":83527,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2820.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/2.2-2820.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2820.1","metadata":false},{"id":76045,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2821","catch_line":"Workers' compensation insurance plan for state employees trust fund for payment of claims","url":"\/2.2-2821\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2821","metadata":false},{"id":82554,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2821.1","catch_line":"Leave for bone marrow or organ donation","url":"\/2.2-2821.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2821.1","metadata":false},{"id":66004,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2821.2","catch_line":"Leave for volunteer fire and volunteer emergency medical services","url":"\/2.2-2821.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2821.2","metadata":false},{"id":82416,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2821.3","catch_line":"Leave for volunteer members of Civil Air Patrol","url":"\/2.2-2821.3\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2821.3","metadata":false},{"id":64304,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2822","catch_line":"Ownership and use of patents and copyrights developed by certain public employees; Creative Commons copyrights","url":"\/2.2-2822\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2822","metadata":false},{"id":60037,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2823","catch_line":"Traveling expenses on state business; public or private transportation","url":"\/2.2-2823\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2823","metadata":false},{"id":86427,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2824","catch_line":"Monitoring travel expenses while on state business","url":"\/2.2-2824\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2824","metadata":false},{"id":73173,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2825","catch_line":"Reimbursement for certain travel expenditures; restrictions on reimbursement","url":"\/2.2-2825\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2825","metadata":false},{"id":86361,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2826","catch_line":"Travel expense accounts; review by Comptroller","url":"\/2.2-2826\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2826","metadata":false},{"id":66971,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2827","catch_line":"Restrictions on state employee access to information infrastructure","url":"\/2.2-2827\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2827","metadata":false},{"id":72066,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2828","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/2.2-2828\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2828","metadata":false},{"id":68011,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2829","catch_line":"Disappearance of public officer; when office presumed vacant","url":"\/2.2-2829\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2829","metadata":false},{"id":74132,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2830","catch_line":"Governor to fill vacancy in any state office where no other provision is made by law; term of appointment; benefits","url":"\/2.2-2830\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2830","metadata":false},{"id":76461,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2831","catch_line":"Payment of severance benefits; exceptions","url":"\/2.2-2831\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2831","metadata":false},{"id":75582,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2832","catch_line":"Retaliatory actions against persons providing testimony before a committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly","url":"\/2.2-2832\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2832","metadata":false},{"id":78628,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2833","catch_line":"Possession of naloxone or other opioid antagonists by state agencies","url":"\/2.2-2833\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2833","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72671,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2816","catch_line":"Liability of salary of officer for debt he owes Commonwealth; how enforced; when officer's right to file petition barred","url":"\/2.2-2816\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2816","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85515,"structure_id":14612,"section_number":"2.2-2817.1","catch_line":"State agencies to establish alternative work schedules; reporting requirement","url":"\/2.2-2817.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2817.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-2817\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2000. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP1030\">1030<\/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 2001, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?011+ful+CHAP0844\">844<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":175809,"object_type":"law","relational_id":73024,"identifier":"2.2-2817","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2817","url":"\/2.2-2817\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-2817\/","token":"2.2\/I\/E\/28\/2.2-2817","dublin_core":{"Title":"Defense of employees","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-2817","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Notwithstanding any other <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>, if any state employee, as defined in this chapter, is investigated for a <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span>, arrested or indicted, or otherwise prosecuted on any charge, arising out of any act committed in the discharge of his official duties, the <span class=\"dictionary\">state agency<\/span>, board, or other employer of such state employee, upon a preliminary <span class=\"dictionary\">finding<\/span> by such agency, board or employer that (i) the employee did not violate any <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> or regulation as a result of the act in question and (ii) the employee will not be terminated from employment as a result of such act, may employ special <span class=\"dictionary\">counsel<\/span> approved by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Attorney General<\/span> to defend such person. The reasonable compensation for special <span class=\"dictionary\">counsel<\/span> employed, pursuant to this section, shall, subject to the approval of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Attorney General<\/span>, be paid out of the funds appropriated for the <span class=\"dictionary\">state agency<\/span>, board, or other employer of such state employee.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFENSE OF EMPLOYEES (\u00a7 2.2-2817)\n\nNotwithstanding any other law, if any state employee, as defined in this\nchapter, is investigated for a crime, arrested or indicted, or otherwise\nprosecuted on any charge, arising out of any act committed in the discharge of\nhis official duties, the state agency, board, or other employer of such state\nemployee, upon a preliminary finding by such agency, board or employer that (i)\nthe employee did not violate any law, ordinance or regulation as a result of the\nact in question and (ii) the employee will not be terminated from employment as\na result of such act, may employ special counsel approved by the Attorney\nGeneral to defend such person. The reasonable compensation for special counsel\nemployed, pursuant to this section, shall, subject to the approval of the\nAttorney General, be paid out of the funds appropriated for the state agency,\nboard, or other employer of such state employee.\n\nHISTORY: 2000, c. 1030, \u00a7 2.1-20.1:8; 2001, c. 844.","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}}