{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-276.01.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-276.01.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-276.01.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-276.01.html"}],"law_id":77797,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77797,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.01","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"2001, cc. 688, 820; 2013, c. 575; 2018, c. 491; 2020, c. 678; 2025, c. 438.","full_text":"A\n\nFor the purposes of this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Alternative education program&#8221; includes night school, adult education, or any other education program designed to offer instruction to students for whom the regular program of instruction may be inappropriate.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Bullying&#8221; means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. &#8220;Bullying&#8221; includes cyberbullying. &#8220;Bullying&#8221; does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Cyberbullying&#8221; means bullying that occurs through the use of technology, including through cell phones and other electronic devices or technology capable of accessing the Internet.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Disruptive behavior&#8221; means a violation of school board regulations governing student conduct that interrupts or obstructs the learning environment.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Dress or grooming code&#8221; means any practice, policy, or portion of a code of student conduct adopted by a school board that governs or restricts the attire, appearance, or grooming, including hairstyle, of any enrolled student.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Exclusion&#8221; means a Virginia school board&#8217;s denial of school admission to a student who has been expelled or has been placed on a long-term suspension of more than 30 calendar days by another school board or a private school, either in Virginia or another state, or for whom admission has been withdrawn by a private school in Virginia or another state.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Expulsion&#8221; means any disciplinary action imposed by a school board or a committee thereof, as provided in school board policy, whereby a student is not permitted to attend school within the school division and is ineligible for readmission for 365 calendar days after the date of the expulsion.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Long-term suspension&#8221; means any disciplinary action whereby a student is not permitted to attend school for 11 to 45 school days.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Short-term suspension&#8221; means any disciplinary action whereby a student is not permitted to attend school for a period not to exceed 10 school days.B\n\nFor the purposes of &#xA7;&#xA7; 22.1-277.04, 22.1-277.05, 22.1-277.2, and 22.1-277.2:1, &#8220;superintendent&#8217;s designee&#8221; means a (i) trained hearing officer or (ii) professional employee within the administrative offices of the school division who reports directly to the division superintendent and who is not a school-based instructional or administrative employee.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":279043,"text":"For the purposes of this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Alternative education program&#8221; includes night school, adult education, or any other education program designed to offer instruction to students for whom the regular program of instruction may be inappropriate.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Bullying&#8221; means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. &#8220;Bullying&#8221; includes cyberbullying. &#8220;Bullying&#8221; does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Cyberbullying&#8221; means bullying that occurs through the use of technology, including through cell phones and other electronic devices or technology capable of accessing the Internet.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Disruptive behavior&#8221; means a violation of school board regulations governing student conduct that interrupts or obstructs the learning environment.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Dress or grooming code&#8221; means any practice, policy, or portion of a code of student conduct adopted by a school board that governs or restricts the attire, appearance, or grooming, including hairstyle, of any enrolled student.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Exclusion&#8221; means a Virginia school board&#8217;s denial of school admission to a student who has been expelled or has been placed on a long-term suspension of more than 30 calendar days by another school board or a private school, either in Virginia or another state, or for whom admission has been withdrawn by a private school in Virginia or another state.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Expulsion&#8221; means any disciplinary action imposed by a school board or a committee thereof, as provided in school board policy, whereby a student is not permitted to attend school within the school division and is ineligible for readmission for 365 calendar days after the date of the expulsion.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Long-term suspension&#8221; means any disciplinary action whereby a student is not permitted to attend school for 11 to 45 school days.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Short-term suspension&#8221; means any disciplinary action whereby a student is not permitted to attend school for a period not to exceed 10 school days.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":279044,"text":"For the purposes of &#xA7;&#xA7; 22.1-277.04, 22.1-277.05, 22.1-277.2, and 22.1-277.2:1, &#8220;superintendent&#8217;s designee&#8221; means a (i) trained hearing officer or (ii) professional employee within the administrative offices of the school division who reports directly to the division superintendent and who is not a school-based instructional or administrative employee.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13097,"edition_id":1,"name":"Discipline","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12850,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":182375,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13097,"identifier":"3","token":"22.1\/14\/3","url":"\/22.1\/14\/3\/","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":84373,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-276\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276","metadata":false},{"id":77797,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.01","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/22.1-276.01\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.01","metadata":false},{"id":59130,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/22.1-276.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.1","metadata":false},{"id":59973,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.2","catch_line":"Removal of students from classes","url":"\/22.1-276.2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.2","metadata":false},{"id":67307,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.3","catch_line":"Ineligibility of students to compete in athletic competitions","url":"\/22.1-276.3\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.3","metadata":false},{"id":87441,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277","catch_line":"Suspensions and expulsions of students generally","url":"\/22.1-277\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277","metadata":false},{"id":60099,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.01","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-277.01\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.01","metadata":false},{"id":56964,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.04","catch_line":"Short-term suspension; procedures; readmission","url":"\/22.1-277.04\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.04","metadata":false},{"id":74747,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.05","catch_line":"Long-term suspensions; procedures; readmission","url":"\/22.1-277.05\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.05","metadata":false},{"id":68982,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.06","catch_line":"Expulsions; procedures; readmission","url":"\/22.1-277.06\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.06","metadata":false},{"id":67657,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.07","catch_line":"Expulsion of students under certain circumstances; exceptions","url":"\/22.1-277.07\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.07","metadata":false},{"id":68041,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.07:1","catch_line":"Policies prohibiting possession of firearms","url":"\/22.1-277.07_1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.07_1","metadata":false},{"id":75022,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.08","catch_line":"Expulsion of students for certain drug offenses","url":"\/22.1-277.08\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.08","metadata":false},{"id":76217,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-277.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.1","metadata":false},{"id":85416,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.2","catch_line":"Authority to exclude students under certain circumstances; petition for readmission; alternative education program","url":"\/22.1-277.2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.2","metadata":false},{"id":68197,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.2:1","catch_line":"Disciplinary authority of school boards under certain circumstances; alternative education program","url":"\/22.1-277.2_1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":83901,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.2:2","catch_line":"Alternative education program data","url":"\/22.1-277.2_2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.2_2","metadata":false},{"id":59633,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-278","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-278\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-278","metadata":false},{"id":74737,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-279\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279","metadata":false},{"id":79182,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.1","catch_line":"Corporal punishment prohibited","url":"\/22.1-279.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.1","metadata":false},{"id":75691,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.10","catch_line":"School resource officers; data","url":"\/22.1-279.10\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.10","metadata":false},{"id":66124,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.1:1","catch_line":"The use of seclusion and restraint in public schools; Board of Education regulations","url":"\/22.1-279.1_1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":57019,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-279.2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.2","metadata":false},{"id":54140,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.3","catch_line":"Parental responsibility and involvement requirements","url":"\/22.1-279.3\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.3","metadata":false},{"id":64442,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.3:1","catch_line":"Reports of certain acts to school authorities; reports of certain acts by school authorities to parents; reports of certain acts by school authorities to law enforcement","url":"\/22.1-279.3_1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.3_1","metadata":false},{"id":55596,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.3:2","catch_line":"Public elementary and secondary school students; protective orders; notification","url":"\/22.1-279.3_2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.3_2","metadata":false},{"id":79774,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.3:3","catch_line":"Alternative school discipline process for certain incidents","url":"\/22.1-279.3_3\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.3_3","metadata":false},{"id":69487,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.4","catch_line":"Information regarding prosecution for certain crimes","url":"\/22.1-279.4\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.4","metadata":false},{"id":58983,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.5","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-279.5\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.5","metadata":false},{"id":74451,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.6","catch_line":"Board of Education guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct; school board regulations","url":"\/22.1-279.6\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.6","metadata":false},{"id":81587,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.7","catch_line":"Guidelines for student searches","url":"\/22.1-279.7\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.7","metadata":false},{"id":80015,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.8","catch_line":"School safety audits and school crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plans required","url":"\/22.1-279.8\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.8","metadata":false},{"id":81689,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.9","catch_line":"Development of programs to prevent crime and violence; hazing prevention training program","url":"\/22.1-279.9\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.9","metadata":false},{"id":76810,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-280\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280","metadata":false},{"id":85922,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-280.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.1","metadata":false},{"id":74356,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.2","catch_line":"School crime line defined; development of school crime lines authorized; local school boards' authority; Board to promulgate regulations","url":"\/22.1-280.2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.2","metadata":false},{"id":65627,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.2:1","catch_line":"Employment of school security officers","url":"\/22.1-280.2_1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":62442,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.2:2","catch_line":"Public School Security Equipment Grant Act of 2013","url":"\/22.1-280.2_2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.2_2","metadata":false},{"id":78459,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.2:3","catch_line":"School boards; safety and security personnel","url":"\/22.1-280.2_3\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.2_3","metadata":false},{"id":74189,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.2:4","catch_line":"School boards; firearms on school property","url":"\/22.1-280.2_4\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.2_4","metadata":false},{"id":54225,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-280.3\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.3","metadata":false},{"id":54838,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-280.4","catch_line":"School board action regarding destruction of property","url":"\/22.1-280.4\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-280.4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":84373,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-276\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59130,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/22.1-276.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/22.1-276.01\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2001. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?011+ful+CHAP0688\">688<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?011+ful+CHAP0820\">820<\/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 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 2013, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0575\">575<\/a>; in 2018, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?181+ful+CHAP0491\">491<\/a>; in 2020, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0678\">678<\/a>; in 2025, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?251+ful+CHAP0438\">438<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":58647,"section_number":"22.1-2.1","catch_line":"Provision of in-person instruction","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-2.1\/"},{"id":60130,"section_number":"22.1-208.01","catch_line":"Character education required","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-208.01\/"},{"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":55973,"section_number":"22.1-291.4","catch_line":"Bullying and abusive work environments prohibited","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-291.4\/"},{"id":60962,"section_number":"22.1-79.3:1","catch_line":"Student cell phone and smart device possession and use policies; development and implementation","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-79.3_1\/"},{"id":84569,"section_number":"23.1-819","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-819\/"},{"id":70579,"section_number":"9.1-184","catch_line":"Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety created; duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-184\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56964,"section_number":"22.1-277.04","catch_line":"Short-term suspension; procedures; readmission","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277.04\/"},{"id":74747,"section_number":"22.1-277.05","catch_line":"Long-term suspensions; procedures; readmission","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277.05\/"},{"id":85416,"section_number":"22.1-277.2","catch_line":"Authority to exclude students under certain circumstances; petition for readmission; alternative education program","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277.2\/"},{"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\/"}],"permalink":{"id":182381,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77797,"identifier":"22.1-276.01","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.01","url":"\/22.1-276.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-276.01\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.01","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-276.01","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> For the purposes of this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Alternative education program<\/span>&#8221; includes night school, adult education, or any other education program designed to offer instruction to students for whom the regular program of instruction may be inappropriate.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Bullying<\/span>&#8221; means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Bullying<\/span>&#8221; includes <span class=\"dictionary\">cyberbullying<\/span>. &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Bullying<\/span>&#8221; does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Cyberbullying<\/span>&#8221; means <span class=\"dictionary\">bullying<\/span> that occurs through the use of technology, including through cell phones and other electronic devices or technology capable of accessing the Internet.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Disruptive behavior<\/span>&#8221; means a violation of <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> regulations governing student conduct that interrupts or obstructs the learning environment.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Dress or grooming code<\/span>&#8221; means any practice, policy, or portion of a code of student conduct adopted by a <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> that governs or restricts the attire, <span class=\"dictionary\">appearance<\/span>, or grooming, including hairstyle, of any enrolled student.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Exclusion<\/span>&#8221; means a Virginia <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span>&#8217;s denial of school admission to a student who has been expelled or has been placed on a <span class=\"dictionary\">long-term suspension<\/span> of more than 30 calendar days by another <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> or a private school, either in Virginia or another state, or for whom admission has been withdrawn by a private school in Virginia or another state.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Expulsion<\/span>&#8221; means any disciplinary action imposed by a <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> or a committee thereof, as provided in <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> policy, whereby a student is not permitted to attend school within the school division and is ineligible for readmission for 365 calendar days after the date of the <span class=\"dictionary\">expulsion<\/span>.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Long-term suspension<\/span>&#8221; means any disciplinary action whereby a student is not permitted to attend school for 11 to 45 school days.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Short-term suspension<\/span>&#8221; means any disciplinary action whereby a student is not permitted to attend school for a period not to exceed 10 school days. <a id=\"paragraph-279043\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-276.01\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> For the purposes of &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Short-term suspension; procedures; readmission\" href=\"\/22.1-277.04\/\">22.1-277.04<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Long-term suspensions; procedures; readmission\" href=\"\/22.1-277.05\/\">22.1-277.05<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Authority to exclude students under certain circumstances; petition for readmission; alternative education program\" href=\"\/22.1-277.2\/\">22.1-277.2<\/a>, and <a class=\"law\" title=\"Disciplinary authority of school boards under certain circumstances; alternative education program\" href=\"\/22.1-277.2_1\/\">22.1-277.2:1<\/a>, &#8220;superintendent&#8217;s designee&#8221; means a (i) trained <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span> officer or (ii) professional employee within the administrative offices of the school division who reports directly to the <span class=\"dictionary\">division superintendent<\/span> and who is not a school-based instructional or administrative employee. <a id=\"paragraph-279044\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-276.01\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 22.1-276.01)\n\nA. For the purposes of this article, unless the context requires a different\nmeaning:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Alternative education program&#8221; includes night school, adult\neducation, or any other education program designed to offer instruction to\nstudents for whom the regular program of instruction may be inappropriate.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Bullying&#8221; means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is\nintended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or\nperceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is\nrepeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. &#8220;Bullying&#8221;\nincludes cyberbullying. &#8220;Bullying&#8221; does not include ordinary\nteasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Cyberbullying&#8221; means bullying that occurs through the use of\ntechnology, including through cell phones and other electronic devices or\ntechnology capable of accessing the Internet.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Disruptive behavior&#8221; means a violation of school board\nregulations governing student conduct that interrupts or obstructs the learning\nenvironment.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Dress or grooming code&#8221; means any practice, policy, or portion\nof a code of student conduct adopted by a school board that governs or restricts\nthe attire, appearance, or grooming, including hairstyle, of any enrolled\nstudent.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Exclusion&#8221; means a Virginia school board&#8217;s denial of\nschool admission to a student who has been expelled or has been placed on a\nlong-term suspension of more than 30 calendar days by another school board or a\nprivate school, either in Virginia or another state, or for whom admission has\nbeen withdrawn by a private school in Virginia or another state.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Expulsion&#8221; means any disciplinary action imposed by a school\nboard or a committee thereof, as provided in school board policy, whereby a\nstudent is not permitted to attend school within the school division and is\nineligible for readmission for 365 calendar days after the date of the\nexpulsion.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Long-term suspension&#8221; means any disciplinary action whereby a\nstudent is not permitted to attend school for 11 to 45 school days.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Short-term suspension&#8221; means any disciplinary action whereby a\nstudent is not permitted to attend school for a period not to exceed 10 school\ndays.\n\nB. For the purposes of &#xA7;&#xA7; 22.1-277.04, 22.1-277.05, 22.1-277.2, and\n22.1-277.2:1, &#8220;superintendent&#8217;s designee&#8221; means a (i) trained\nhearing officer or (ii) professional employee within the administrative offices\nof the school division who reports directly to the division superintendent and\nwho is not a school-based instructional or administrative employee.\n\nHISTORY: 2001, cc. 688, 820; 2013, c. 575; 2018, c. 491; 2020, c. 678; 2025, c.\n438.","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}}