{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-3900.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-3900.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-3900.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-3900.html"}],"law_id":68757,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68757,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3900","catch_line":"Short title; declaration of policy","history":"1987, c. 581, \u00a7\u00a7 2.1-714, 2.1-715; 1997, c. 404; 2001, c. 844; 2020, cc. 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2024, cc. 266, 334.","full_text":"A\n\nThis chapter shall be known and cited as the Virginia Human Rights Act.B\n\nIt is the policy of the Commonwealth to:1\n\nSafeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or disability in places of public accommodation, including educational institutions and in real estate transactions;2\n\nSafeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or military status;3\n\nPreserve the public safety, health, and general welfare;4\n\nFurther the interests, rights, and privileges of individuals within the Commonwealth; and5\n\nProtect citizens of the Commonwealth against unfounded charges of unlawful discrimination.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":248896,"text":"This chapter shall be known and cited as the Virginia Human Rights Act.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":248897,"text":"It is the policy of the Commonwealth to:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":248898,"text":"Safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or disability in places of public accommodation, including educational institutions and in real estate transactions;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":248899,"text":"Safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or military status;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":248900,"text":"Preserve the public safety, health, and general welfare;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":248901,"text":"Further the interests, rights, and privileges of individuals within the Commonwealth; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":248902,"text":"Protect citizens of the Commonwealth against unfounded charges of unlawful discrimination.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14485,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Human Rights Act","identifier":"39","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12751,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:18","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:18","permalink":{"id":176671,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14485,"identifier":"39","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39","url":"\/2.2\/II\/B\/39\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12751,"edition_id":1,"name":"Transaction of Public Business","identifier":"B","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12750,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":176445,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12751,"identifier":"B","token":"2.2\/II\/B","url":"\/2.2\/II\/B\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12750,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration of State Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12749,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":176253,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12750,"identifier":"II","token":"2.2\/II","url":"\/2.2\/II\/","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":68757,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3900","catch_line":"Short title; declaration of policy","url":"\/2.2-3900\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3900","metadata":false},{"id":86168,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3901","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/2.2-3901\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3901","metadata":false},{"id":57422,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3902","catch_line":"Construction of chapter; other programs to aid persons with disabilities, minors, and the elderly","url":"\/2.2-3902\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3902","metadata":false},{"id":69120,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3903","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/2.2-3903\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3903","metadata":false},{"id":83248,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3904","catch_line":"Nondiscrimination in places of public accommodation; definitions","url":"\/2.2-3904\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3904","metadata":false},{"id":67660,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3905","catch_line":"Nondiscrimination in employment; definitions; exceptions","url":"\/2.2-3905\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3905","metadata":false},{"id":59581,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3905.1","catch_line":"Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities; unlawful discriminatory practice; notice of rights","url":"\/2.2-3905.1\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3905.1","metadata":false},{"id":84496,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3906","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General","url":"\/2.2-3906\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3906","metadata":false},{"id":65737,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3907","catch_line":"Procedures for a charge of unlawful discrimination; notice; investigation; report; conciliation; notice of the right to file a civil action; temporary relief","url":"\/2.2-3907\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3907","metadata":false},{"id":55883,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3908","catch_line":"Civil actions by private parties","url":"\/2.2-3908\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3908","metadata":false},{"id":66874,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3909","catch_line":"Causes of action for failure to provide reasonable accommodation for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions","url":"\/2.2-3909\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3909","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":86168,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3901","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/2.2-3901\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3901","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-3900\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1987. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 581 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 1987 \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 1997, chapter 404<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 844<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 1137<\/a> and 1140<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 266<\/a> and 334<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":71567,"section_number":"15.2-965","catch_line":"Human rights ordinances and commissions","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-965\/"},{"id":83063,"section_number":"2.2-2048","catch_line":"Discrimination prohibitions for registered apprenticeship programs","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2048\/"},{"id":65957,"section_number":"2.2-3505","catch_line":"Designation of covered entity digital accessibility coordinator","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3505\/"},{"id":77912,"section_number":"2.2-3705.3","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Exclusions to application of chapter; records relating to administrative investigations","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3705.3\/"},{"id":83736,"section_number":"2.2-520","catch_line":"Office of Civil Rights created; duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-520\/"},{"id":85652,"section_number":"36-96.21","catch_line":"Powers of counties, cities and towns","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.21\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":176673,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68757,"identifier":"2.2-3900","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3900","url":"\/2.2-3900\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-3900\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3900","dublin_core":{"Title":"Short title; declaration of policy","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-3900","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> This chapter shall be known and cited as the Virginia Human Rights Act. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It is the policy of the Commonwealth to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or disability in places of public accommodation, including educational institutions and in real estate transactions; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or military status; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Preserve the public safety, health, and general welfare; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Further the interests, rights, and privileges<\/span> of individuals within the Commonwealth; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Protect citizens of the Commonwealth against unfounded charges of unlawful discrimination. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSHORT TITLE; DECLARATION OF POLICY (\u00a7 2.2-3900)\n\nA. This chapter shall be known and cited as the Virginia Human Rights Act.\n\nB. It is the policy of the Commonwealth to:\n\n 1. Safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful\n discrimination because of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin,\n sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status,\n sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or disability in places\n of public accommodation, including educational institutions and in real estate\n transactions;\n\n 2. Safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful\n discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, ethnic or\n national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions,\n age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or\n military status;\n\n 3. Preserve the public safety, health, and general welfare;\n\n 4. Further the interests, rights, and privileges of individuals within the\n Commonwealth; and\n\n 5. Protect citizens of the Commonwealth against unfounded charges of unlawful\n discrimination.\n\nHISTORY: 1987, c. 581, \u00a7\u00a7 2.1-714, 2.1-715; 1997, c. 404; 2001, c. 844; 2020,\ncc. 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2024, cc. 266, 334.","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}}