{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-602.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-602.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-602.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-602.html"}],"law_id":74902,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74902,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-602","catch_line":"Duties of agencies and their appointing authorities; establishment of personnel standards; diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plans","history":"1976, c. 761, \u00a7 2.1-114.7; 2000, cc. 66, 657; 2001, c. 844; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 168; 2024, c. 659.","full_text":"A\n\nThe heads of state agencies shall be the appointing authorities of the respective agencies, and shall establish and maintain within their agencies methods of administration relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis that are approved by the Governor for the proper and efficient enforcement of the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.). But the Governor shall exercise no authority with respect to the selection or tenure of office of any individual employed in accordance with such methods, except when the Governor is the appointing authority.\n\t\t\tAppointing authorities may assign to the personnel officers or to other officers and employees of their agencies such personnel duties as they see fit.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall establish and maintain rosters of their employees that shall set forth, as to each employee, the class title, pay, and status and such other data as they may deem desirable to produce significant facts pertaining to personnel administration.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall establish and maintain such promotion and employment lists, rated according to merit and fitness, as they deem desirable. Agencies may make use of the employment list kept by the Department of Human Resource Management in lieu of keeping employment lists for their agencies.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall supply the Governor with any information he deems necessary for the performance of his duties in connection with the administration of Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.).B\n\nThe heads of state agencies shall establish and maintain a comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan in coordination with the Governor’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.\n\t\t\tThe plan shall integrate the diversity, equity, and inclusion goals into the agency’s mission, operations, programs, and infrastructure to enhance equitable opportunities for the populations served by the agency and to foster an increasingly diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace environment.\n\t\t\tThe plan shall include best practices that (i) proactively address potential barriers to equal employment opportunities pursuant to federal and state equal employment opportunity laws; (ii) foster pay equity pursuant to federal and state equal pay laws; (iii) promote diversity and equity in hiring, promotion, retention, succession planning, and agency leadership opportunities; and (iv) promote employee engagement and inclusivity in the workplace.\n\t\t\tEach agency shall establish an infrastructure to effectively support ongoing progress and achievements by reporting diversity, equity, and inclusion goals in coordination with the Governor’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the General Assembly.\n\t\t\tEach agency shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly by July 1 of each year assessing the impact of the strategic plan on the populations served by the agency and on the agency’s workforce and budget.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":269080,"text":"The heads of state agencies shall be the appointing authorities of the respective agencies, and shall establish and maintain within their agencies methods of administration relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis that are approved by the Governor for the proper and efficient enforcement of the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.). But the Governor shall exercise no authority with respect to the selection or tenure of office of any individual employed in accordance with such methods, except when the Governor is the appointing authority.\n\t\t\tAppointing authorities may assign to the personnel officers or to other officers and employees of their agencies such personnel duties as they see fit.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall establish and maintain rosters of their employees that shall set forth, as to each employee, the class title, pay, and status and such other data as they may deem desirable to produce significant facts pertaining to personnel administration.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall establish and maintain such promotion and employment lists, rated according to merit and fitness, as they deem desirable. Agencies may make use of the employment list kept by the Department of Human Resource Management in lieu of keeping employment lists for their agencies.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall supply the Governor with any information he deems necessary for the performance of his duties in connection with the administration of Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":269081,"text":"The heads of state agencies shall establish and maintain a comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan in coordination with the Governor’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.\n\t\t\tThe plan shall integrate the diversity, equity, and inclusion goals into the agency’s mission, operations, programs, and infrastructure to enhance equitable opportunities for the populations served by the agency and to foster an increasingly diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace environment.\n\t\t\tThe plan shall include best practices that (i) proactively address potential barriers to equal employment opportunities pursuant to federal and state equal employment opportunity laws; (ii) foster pay equity pursuant to federal and state equal pay laws; (iii) promote diversity and equity in hiring, promotion, retention, succession planning, and agency leadership opportunities; and (iv) promote employee engagement and inclusivity in the workplace.\n\t\t\tEach agency shall establish an infrastructure to effectively support ongoing progress and achievements by reporting diversity, equity, and inclusion goals in coordination with the Governor’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the General Assembly.\n\t\t\tEach agency shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly by July 1 of each year assessing the impact of the strategic plan on the populations served by the agency and on the agency’s workforce and budget.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14818,"edition_id":1,"name":"In General","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14817,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:50:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:50:07","permalink":{"id":173673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14818,"identifier":"1","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1","url":"\/2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14817,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13092,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:50:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:50:07","permalink":{"id":173671,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14817,"identifier":"6","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6","url":"\/2.2\/I\/C\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13092,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Agencies Related to the General Operation of Government","identifier":"C","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:16","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:16","permalink":{"id":172453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13092,"identifier":"C","token":"2.2\/I\/C","url":"\/2.2\/I\/C\/","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":79827,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-600","catch_line":"Standard nomenclature to be employed","url":"\/2.2-600\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-600","metadata":false},{"id":84713,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-601","catch_line":"General powers of the departments established in this title","url":"\/2.2-601\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-601","metadata":false},{"id":83408,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-601.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent, identical mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/2.2-601.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-601.1","metadata":false},{"id":74902,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-602","catch_line":"Duties of agencies and their appointing authorities; establishment of personnel standards; diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plans","url":"\/2.2-602\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-602","metadata":false},{"id":58373,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-603","catch_line":"Authority of agency directors","url":"\/2.2-603\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-603","metadata":false},{"id":71814,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-604","catch_line":"Performance of duties assigned to an agency","url":"\/2.2-604\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-604","metadata":false},{"id":65909,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-604.1","catch_line":"Designation of officials; interests of senior citizens and adults with disabilities","url":"\/2.2-604.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-604.1","metadata":false},{"id":84809,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-604.2","catch_line":" Designation of officials; energy manager","url":"\/2.2-604.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-604.2","metadata":false},{"id":66028,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-605","catch_line":"Appointment of acting officer in case of temporary disability","url":"\/2.2-605\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-605","metadata":false},{"id":56661,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-606","catch_line":"Consideration of certain issues in policy development","url":"\/2.2-606\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-606","metadata":false},{"id":68091,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-607","catch_line":"Reporting transfers of personnel; granting reports","url":"\/2.2-607\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-607","metadata":false},{"id":71177,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-608","catch_line":"Furnishing reports; Governor authorized to require reports","url":"\/2.2-608\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-608","metadata":false},{"id":58047,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-608.1","catch_line":"State publications to be made available electronically","url":"\/2.2-608.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-608.1","metadata":false},{"id":73887,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-609","catch_line":"Copies of state publications furnished to Librarian of Virginia","url":"\/2.2-609\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-609","metadata":false},{"id":71949,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-610","catch_line":"Furnishing copies of documents at no cost to law-enforcement officials","url":"\/2.2-610\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-610","metadata":false},{"id":79686,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-611","catch_line":"Acceptance by departments, etc., of funds from United States; application of funds","url":"\/2.2-611\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-611","metadata":false},{"id":67578,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-612","catch_line":"Notification to localities of reduction or discontinuation of service","url":"\/2.2-612\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-612","metadata":false},{"id":84711,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-613","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/2.2-613\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-613","metadata":false},{"id":66331,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-614","catch_line":"Purebred livestock raised by state institutions and agencies may be sold instead of slaughtered","url":"\/2.2-614\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-614","metadata":false},{"id":77548,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-614.1","catch_line":"Authority to accept revenue by commercially acceptable means; service charge; bad check charge","url":"\/2.2-614.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-614.1","metadata":false},{"id":82324,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-614.2","catch_line":"Participation in the REAL ID Act of 2005","url":"\/2.2-614.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-614.2","metadata":false},{"id":85609,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-614.2:1","catch_line":"Assisting U.S. armed forces in detention of citizen","url":"\/2.2-614.2_1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-614.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":75223,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-614.3","catch_line":"Charitable organization; certain government action prohibited","url":"\/2.2-614.3\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-614.3","metadata":false},{"id":74580,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-614.4","catch_line":"Commercial activities list; publication of notice; opportunity to comment","url":"\/2.2-614.4\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-614.4","metadata":false},{"id":72111,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-614.5","catch_line":"Electric vehicle charging stations","url":"\/2.2-614.5\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-614.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83408,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-601.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent, identical mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/2.2-601.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-601.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":58373,"structure_id":14818,"section_number":"2.2-603","catch_line":"Authority of agency directors","url":"\/2.2-603\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-603","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-602\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1976. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 761 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 1976 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. 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 2000, chapters 66<\/a> and 657<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 844<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 659<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":65778,"section_number":"2.2-2900","catch_line":"Short title; purpose","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2900\/"}],"permalink":{"id":173687,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74902,"identifier":"2.2-602","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-602","url":"\/2.2-602\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-602\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/6\/1\/2.2-602","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duties of agencies and their appointing authorities; establishment of personnel standards; diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plans","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-602","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The heads of state agencies shall be the appointing authorities of the respective agencies, and shall establish and maintain within their agencies methods of administration relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis that are approved by the Governor for the proper and efficient enforcement of the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900<\/a> et seq.). But the Governor shall exercise no authority with respect to the selection or tenure of office of any individual employed in accordance with such methods, except when the Governor is the appointing authority.\n\t\t\tAppointing authorities may assign to the personnel officers or to other officers and employees of their agencies such personnel duties as they see fit.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall establish and maintain rosters of their employees that shall set forth, as to each employee, the class title, pay, and status and such other data as they may deem desirable to produce significant facts<\/span> pertaining to personnel administration.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall establish and maintain such promotion and employment lists, rated according to merit and fitness, as they deem desirable. Agencies may make use of the employment list kept by the Department of Human Resource Management in lieu of keeping employment lists for their agencies.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall supply the Governor with any information he deems necessary for the performance of his duties in connection with the administration of Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The heads of state agencies shall establish and maintain a comprehensive diversity, equity<\/span>, and inclusion strategic plan in coordination with the Governor’s Director of Diversity, Equity<\/span>, and Inclusion.\n\t\t\tThe plan shall integrate the diversity, equity<\/span>, and inclusion goals into the agency’s mission, operations, programs, and infrastructure to enhance equitable<\/span> opportunities for the populations served by the agency and to foster an increasingly diverse, equitable<\/span>, and inclusive workplace environment.\n\t\t\tThe plan shall include best practices that (i) proactively address potential barriers to equal employment opportunities pursuant to federal and state equal employment opportunity laws<\/span>; (ii) foster pay equity<\/span> pursuant to federal and state equal pay laws<\/span>; (iii) promote diversity and equity<\/span> in hiring, promotion, retention, succession planning, and agency leadership opportunities; and (iv) promote employee engagement and inclusivity in the workplace.\n\t\t\tEach agency shall establish an infrastructure to effectively support ongoing progress and achievements by reporting diversity, equity<\/span>, and inclusion goals in coordination with the Governor’s Director of Diversity, Equity<\/span>, and Inclusion and the General Assembly.\n\t\t\tEach agency shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly by July 1 of each year assessing the impact of the strategic plan on the populations served by the agency and on the agency’s workforce and budget. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTIES OF AGENCIES AND THEIR APPOINTING AUTHORITIES; ESTABLISHMENT OF PERSONNEL\nSTANDARDS; DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STRATEGIC PLANS (\u00a7 2.2-602)\n\nA. The heads of state agencies shall be the appointing authorities of the\nrespective agencies, and shall establish and maintain within their agencies\nmethods of administration relating to the establishment and maintenance of\npersonnel standards on a merit basis that are approved by the Governor for the\nproper and efficient enforcement of the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900\net seq.). But the Governor shall exercise no authority with respect to the\nselection or tenure of office of any individual employed in accordance with such\nmethods, except when the Governor is the appointing authority.\n\t\t\tAppointing authorities may assign to the personnel officers or to other\nofficers and employees of their agencies such personnel duties as they see fit.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall establish and maintain rosters of their employees that shall\nset forth, as to each employee, the class title, pay, and status and such other\ndata as they may deem desirable to produce significant facts pertaining to\npersonnel administration.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall establish and maintain such promotion and employment lists,\nrated according to merit and fitness, as they deem desirable. Agencies may make\nuse of the employment list kept by the Department of Human Resource Management\nin lieu of keeping employment lists for their agencies.\n\t\t\tAgencies shall supply the Governor with any information he deems necessary\nfor the performance of his duties in connection with the administration of\nVirginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.).\n\nB. The heads of state agencies shall establish and maintain a comprehensive\ndiversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan in coordination with the\nGovernor’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.\n\t\t\tThe plan shall integrate the diversity, equity, and inclusion goals into the\nagency’s mission, operations, programs, and infrastructure to enhance\nequitable opportunities for the populations served by the agency and to foster\nan increasingly diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace environment.\n\t\t\tThe plan shall include best practices that (i) proactively address potential\nbarriers to equal employment opportunities pursuant to federal and state equal\nemployment opportunity laws; (ii) foster pay equity pursuant to federal and\nstate equal pay laws; (iii) promote diversity and equity in hiring, promotion,\nretention, succession planning, and agency leadership opportunities; and (iv)\npromote employee engagement and inclusivity in the workplace.\n\t\t\tEach agency shall establish an infrastructure to effectively support ongoing\nprogress and achievements by reporting diversity, equity, and inclusion goals in\ncoordination with the Governor’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and\nInclusion and the General Assembly.\n\t\t\tEach agency shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General\nAssembly by July 1 of each year assessing the impact of the strategic plan on\nthe populations served by the agency and on the agency’s workforce and\nbudget.\n\nHISTORY: 1976, c. 761, \u00a7 2.1-114.7; 2000, cc. 66, 657; 2001, c. 844; 2021, Sp.\nSess. I, c. 168; 2024, c. 659.","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}}