{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-266.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-266.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-266.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-266.html"}],"law_id":58598,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58598,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-266","catch_line":"Law-enforcement officers and truant children","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 22-275.11:1; 1976, c. 692; 1978, c. 215; 1980, c. 559; 1999, cc. 395, 1023; 2001, cc. 688, 820.","full_text":"A\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of § 16.1-246, any law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101 or any attendance officer may pick up any child who (i) is reported to be truant from a public school by a school principal or division superintendent or (ii) the law-enforcement officer or attendance officer reasonably determines to be a public school student and by reason of the child’s age and circumstances is either truant from public school or has been expelled from school and has been required to attend an alternative education program pursuant to § 22.1-254 or § 22.1-277.2:1, and may deliver such child to the appropriate public school, alternative education program, or truancy center and personnel thereof without charging the parent or guardian of such child with a violation of any provision of law.B\n\nAny such law-enforcement officer or attendance officer shall not be liable for any civil damages for any acts or omissions resulting from picking up or delivering a public school child as provided in subsection A when such acts or omissions are within the scope of the employment of such law-enforcement officer or attendance officer and are taken in good faith, unless such acts or omissions were the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct. This subsection shall not be construed to limit, withdraw or overturn any defense or immunity already existing in statutory or common law or to affect any claim occurring prior to the effective date of this law.C\n\nFor the purposes of this section, “truancy center” means a facility or site operated by a school division, sometimes jointly with the local law-enforcement agency, and designated for receiving children who have been retrieved by a law-enforcement officer or attendance officer for truancy from school.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":214760,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of § 16.1-246, any law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101 or any attendance officer may pick up any child who (i) is reported to be truant from a public school by a school principal or division superintendent or (ii) the law-enforcement officer or attendance officer reasonably determines to be a public school student and by reason of the child’s age and circumstances is either truant from public school or has been expelled from school and has been required to attend an alternative education program pursuant to § 22.1-254 or § 22.1-277.2:1, and may deliver such child to the appropriate public school, alternative education program, or truancy center and personnel thereof without charging the parent or guardian of such child with a violation of any provision of law.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":214761,"text":"Any such law-enforcement officer or attendance officer shall not be liable for any civil damages for any acts or omissions resulting from picking up or delivering a public school child as provided in subsection A when such acts or omissions are within the scope of the employment of such law-enforcement officer or attendance officer and are taken in good faith, unless such acts or omissions were the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct. This subsection shall not be construed to limit, withdraw or overturn any defense or immunity already existing in statutory or common law or to affect any claim occurring prior to the effective date of this law.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":214762,"text":"For the purposes of this section, “truancy center” means a facility or site operated by a school division, sometimes jointly with the local law-enforcement agency, and designated for receiving children who have been retrieved by a law-enforcement officer or attendance officer for truancy from school.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13989,"edition_id":1,"name":"Compulsory School Attendance","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12850,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:31","permalink":{"id":182135,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13989,"identifier":"1","token":"22.1\/14\/1","url":"\/22.1\/14\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12850,"edition_id":1,"name":"Pupils","identifier":"14","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12823,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":182133,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12850,"identifier":"14","token":"22.1\/14","url":"\/22.1\/14\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12823,"edition_id":1,"name":"Education","identifier":"22.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":180949,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12823,"identifier":"22.1","token":"22.1","url":"\/22.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":64677,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-254","catch_line":"Compulsory attendance required; excuses and waivers; alternative education program attendance; exemptions from article","url":"\/22.1-254\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-254","metadata":false},{"id":61216,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-254.01","catch_line":"Certain students required to attend summer school or after-school sessions","url":"\/22.1-254.01\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-254.01","metadata":false},{"id":85817,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-254.02","catch_line":"Students transferring from a public school","url":"\/22.1-254.02\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-254.02","metadata":false},{"id":75707,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-254.1","catch_line":"Declaration of policy; requirements for home instruction of children","url":"\/22.1-254.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-254.1","metadata":false},{"id":82535,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-254.2","catch_line":"Testing for high school equivalency; eligibility; guidelines","url":"\/22.1-254.2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-254.2","metadata":false},{"id":60397,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-255","catch_line":"Nonresident children","url":"\/22.1-255\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-255","metadata":false},{"id":77710,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-256","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-256\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-256","metadata":false},{"id":72504,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-258","catch_line":"Appointment of attendance officers; notification when pupil fails to report to school; plan; conference; court proceedings","url":"\/22.1-258\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-258","metadata":false},{"id":57994,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-259","catch_line":"Teachers to keep daily attendance records","url":"\/22.1-259\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-259","metadata":false},{"id":73600,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-260","catch_line":"Reports of children enrolled and not enrolled; nonattendance","url":"\/22.1-260\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-260","metadata":false},{"id":80115,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-261","catch_line":"Attendance officer to make list of children not enrolled; duties of attendance officer","url":"\/22.1-261\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-261","metadata":false},{"id":58722,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-262","catch_line":"Complaint to court when parent fails to comply with law","url":"\/22.1-262\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-262","metadata":false},{"id":83240,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-263","catch_line":"Violation constitutes misdemeanor","url":"\/22.1-263\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-263","metadata":false},{"id":62028,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-264","catch_line":"Misdemeanor to make false statements as to age","url":"\/22.1-264\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-264","metadata":false},{"id":81772,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-264.1","catch_line":"Misdemeanor to make false statements as to school division or attendance zone residency; penalty","url":"\/22.1-264.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-264.1","metadata":false},{"id":81264,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-265","catch_line":"Inducing children to absent themselves","url":"\/22.1-265\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-265","metadata":false},{"id":58598,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-266","catch_line":"Law-enforcement officers and truant children","url":"\/22.1-266\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-266","metadata":false},{"id":55064,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-267","catch_line":"Proceedings against habitually absent child","url":"\/22.1-267\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-267","metadata":false},{"id":56329,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-268","catch_line":"Duty of attorneys for the Commonwealth to prosecute cases arising under article; jurisdiction of offenses","url":"\/22.1-268\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-268","metadata":false},{"id":65442,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-269","catch_line":"Board to enforce","url":"\/22.1-269\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-269","metadata":false},{"id":70396,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-269.1","catch_line":"Alternative attendance programs","url":"\/22.1-269.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-269.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81264,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-265","catch_line":"Inducing children to absent themselves","url":"\/22.1-265\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-265","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55064,"structure_id":13989,"section_number":"22.1-267","catch_line":"Proceedings against habitually absent child","url":"\/22.1-267\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-267","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/22.1-266\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 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 1976, chapter 692; in 1978, chapter 215; in 1980, chapter 559; in 1999, chapters 395<\/a> and 1023<\/a>; in 2001, chapters 688<\/a> and 820<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":56400,"section_number":"16.1-246","catch_line":"When and how child may be taken into immediate custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-246\/"},{"id":64677,"section_number":"22.1-254","catch_line":"Compulsory attendance required; excuses and waivers; alternative education program attendance; exemptions from article","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-254\/"},{"id":68197,"section_number":"22.1-277.2:1","catch_line":"Disciplinary authority of school boards under certain circumstances; alternative education program","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277.2_1\/"},{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"}],"permalink":{"id":182201,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58598,"identifier":"22.1-266","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-266","url":"\/22.1-266\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-266\/","token":"22.1\/14\/1\/22.1-266","dublin_core":{"Title":"Law-enforcement officers and truant children","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-266","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of § 16.1-246<\/a>, any law<\/span>-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101<\/a> or any attendance officer may pick up any child who (i) is reported to be truant from a public school by a school principal or division superintendent<\/span> or (ii) the law<\/span>-enforcement officer or attendance officer reasonably determines to be a public school student and by reason of the child’s age and circumstances is either truant from public school or has been expelled from school and has been required to attend an alternative education program pursuant to § 22.1-254<\/a> or § 22.1-277.2:1<\/a>, and may deliver such child to the appropriate public school, alternative education program, or truancy center<\/span> and personnel thereof without charging the parent<\/span> or guardian of such child with a violation of any provision of law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any such law-enforcement officer or attendance officer shall not be liable for any civil damages<\/span> for any acts or omissions resulting from picking up or delivering a public school child as provided in subsection A when such acts or omissions are within the scope of the employment of such law-enforcement officer or attendance officer and are taken in good faith, unless such acts or omissions were the result of gross negligence<\/span> or willful misconduct. This subsection shall not be construed to limit, withdraw or overturn any defense or immunity already existing in statutory or common law<\/span> or to affect any claim occurring prior to the effective date of this law. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> For the purposes of this section, “truancy center<\/span>” means a facility or site operated by a school division, sometimes jointly with the local law-enforcement agency, and designated for receiving children who have been retrieved by a law-enforcement officer or attendance officer for truancy from school. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND TRUANT CHILDREN (\u00a7 22.1-266)\n\nA. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 16.1-246, any law-enforcement\nofficer as defined in § 9.1-101 or any attendance officer may pick up any\nchild who (i) is reported to be truant from a public school by a school\nprincipal or division superintendent or (ii) the law-enforcement officer or\nattendance officer reasonably determines to be a public school student and by\nreason of the child’s age and circumstances is either truant from public\nschool or has been expelled from school and has been required to attend an\nalternative education program pursuant to § 22.1-254 or §\n22.1-277.2:1, and may deliver such child to the appropriate public school,\nalternative education program, or truancy center and personnel thereof without\ncharging the parent or guardian of such child with a violation of any provision\nof law.\n\nB. Any such law-enforcement officer or attendance officer shall not be liable\nfor any civil damages for any acts or omissions resulting from picking up or\ndelivering a public school child as provided in subsection A when such acts or\nomissions are within the scope of the employment of such law-enforcement officer\nor attendance officer and are taken in good faith, unless such acts or omissions\nwere the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct. This subsection shall\nnot be construed to limit, withdraw or overturn any defense or immunity already\nexisting in statutory or common law or to affect any claim occurring prior to\nthe effective date of this law.\n\nC. For the purposes of this section, “truancy center” means a\nfacility or site operated by a school division, sometimes jointly with the local\nlaw-enforcement agency, and designated for receiving children who have been\nretrieved by a law-enforcement officer or attendance officer for truancy from\nschool.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 22-275.11:1; 1976, c. 692; 1978, c. 215; 1980, c. 559;\n1999, cc. 395, 1023; 2001, cc. 688, 820.","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}}