{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-3904.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-3904.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-3904.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-3904.html"}],"law_id":83248,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83248,"structure_id":14485,"section_number":"2.2-3904","catch_line":"Nondiscrimination in places of public accommodation; definitions","history":"2020, c. 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2024, cc. 266, 334.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Age” means being an individual who is at least 18 years of age.\n\t\t\t“Place of public accommodation” means all places or businesses offering or holding out to the general public goods, services, privileges, facilities, advantages, or accommodations.B\n\nIt is an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person, including the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any place of public accommodation, to refuse, withhold from, or deny any individual, or to attempt to refuse, withhold from, or deny any individual, directly or indirectly, any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, services, or privileges made available in any place of public accommodation, or to segregate or discriminate against any such person in the use thereof, or to publish, circulate, issue, display, post, or mail, either directly or indirectly, any communication, notice, or advertisement to the effect that any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services of any such place shall be refused, withheld from, or denied to any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or military status.C\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to a private club, a place of accommodation owned by or operated on behalf of a religious corporation, association, or society that is not in fact open to the public, or any other establishment that is not in fact open to the public.D\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not prohibit (i) discrimination against individuals who are less than 18 years of age or (ii) the provision of special benefits, incentives, discounts, or promotions by public or private programs to assist persons who are 50 years of age or older.E\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not supersede or interfere with any state law or local ordinance that prohibits a person under the age of 21 from entering a place of public accommodation.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":298260,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Age” means being an individual who is at least 18 years of age.\n\t\t\t“Place of public accommodation” means all places or businesses offering or holding out to the general public goods, services, privileges, facilities, advantages, or accommodations.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":298261,"text":"It is an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person, including the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any place of public accommodation, to refuse, withhold from, or deny any individual, or to attempt to refuse, withhold from, or deny any individual, directly or indirectly, any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, services, or privileges made available in any place of public accommodation, or to segregate or discriminate against any such person in the use thereof, or to publish, circulate, issue, display, post, or mail, either directly or indirectly, any communication, notice, or advertisement to the effect that any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services of any such place shall be refused, withheld from, or denied to any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or military status.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":298262,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to a private club, a place of accommodation owned by or operated on behalf of a religious corporation, association, or society that is not in fact open to the public, or any other establishment that is not in fact open to the public.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":298263,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not prohibit (i) discrimination against individuals who are less than 18 years of age or (ii) the provision of special benefits, incentives, discounts, or promotions by public or private programs to assist persons who are 50 years of age or older.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":298264,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not supersede or interfere with any state law or local ordinance that prohibits a person under the age of 21 from entering a place of public accommodation.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"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}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-3904\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 1140<\/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 2024, chapters 266<\/a> and 334<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56590,"section_number":"15.2-953","catch_line":"Donations to charitable institutions and associations, volunteer and nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-953\/"},{"id":77665,"section_number":"54.1-3408","catch_line":"Professional use by practitioners","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3408\/"},{"id":64050,"section_number":"54.1-3408.5","catch_line":"Epinephrine required in certain places of public accommodation","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3408.5\/"},{"id":72312,"section_number":"8.01-225","catch_line":"Persons rendering emergency care, obstetrical services exempt from liability","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-225\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":176689,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83248,"identifier":"2.2-3904","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3904","url":"\/2.2-3904\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-3904\/","token":"2.2\/II\/B\/39\/2.2-3904","dublin_core":{"Title":"Nondiscrimination in places of public accommodation; definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-3904","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Age<\/span>” means being an individual who is at least 18 years of age<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Place of public accommodation<\/span>” means all places or businesses offering or holding out to the general public goods, services, privileges<\/span>, facilities, advantages, or accommodations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It is an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person, including the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any place of public accommodation<\/span>, to refuse, withhold from, or deny any individual, or to attempt to refuse, withhold from, or deny any individual, directly or indirectly, any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, services, or privileges<\/span> made available in any place of public accommodation<\/span>, or to segregate or discriminate against any such person in the use thereof, or to publish, circulate, issue<\/span>, display, post, or mail, either directly or indirectly, any communication, notice, or advertisement to the effect that any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges<\/span>, or services of any such place shall be refused, withheld from, or denied to any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age<\/span>, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or military status. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to a private club, a place of accommodation owned by or operated on behalf of a religious corporation, association, or society that is not in fact<\/span> open to the public, or any other establishment that is not in fact<\/span> open to the public. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not prohibit (i) discrimination against individuals who are less than 18 years of age<\/span> or (ii) the provision of special benefits, incentives, discounts, or promotions by public or private programs to assist persons who are 50 years of age<\/span> or older. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not supersede or interfere with any state law<\/span> or local ordinance<\/span> that prohibits a person under the age<\/span> of 21 from entering a place of public accommodation<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nNONDISCRIMINATION IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION; DEFINITIONS (\u00a7 2.2-3904)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Age” means being an individual who is at least 18 years of age.\n\t\t\t“Place of public accommodation” means all places or businesses\noffering or holding out to the general public goods, services, privileges,\nfacilities, advantages, or accommodations.\n\nB. It is an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person, including the\nowner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any\nplace of public accommodation, to refuse, withhold from, or deny any individual,\nor to attempt to refuse, withhold from, or deny any individual, directly or\nindirectly, any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, services, or\nprivileges made available in any place of public accommodation, or to segregate\nor discriminate against any such person in the use thereof, or to publish,\ncirculate, issue, display, post, or mail, either directly or indirectly, any\ncommunication, notice, or advertisement to the effect that any of the\naccommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services of any such\nplace shall be refused, withheld from, or denied to any individual on the basis\nof race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth\nor related medical conditions, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital\nstatus, disability, or military status.\n\nC. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a private club, a place of\naccommodation owned by or operated on behalf of a religious corporation,\nassociation, or society that is not in fact open to the public, or any other\nestablishment that is not in fact open to the public.\n\nD. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit (i) discrimination against\nindividuals who are less than 18 years of age or (ii) the provision of special\nbenefits, incentives, discounts, or promotions by public or private programs to\nassist persons who are 50 years of age or older.\n\nE. The provisions of this section shall not supersede or interfere with any\nstate law or local ordinance that prohibits a person under the age of 21 from\nentering a place of public accommodation.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, c. 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}}