{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-277.05.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-277.05.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-277.05.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-277.05.html"}],"law_id":74747,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74747,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.05","catch_line":"Long-term suspensions; procedures; readmission","history":"1998, c. 806, \u00a7 22.1-277.03; 2001, cc. 688, 820; 2018, c. 491; 2020, c. 337.","full_text":"A\n\nA pupil may be suspended from attendance at school for 11 to 45 school days after providing written notice to the pupil and his parent of the proposed action and the reasons therefor and of the right to a hearing before the school board, or a committee thereof, or the superintendent or his designee, in accordance with regulations of the school board. If the regulations provide for a hearing by the superintendent or his designee, the regulations shall also provide for an appeal of the decision to the full school board. Such appeal shall be decided by the school board within 30 days.\n\t\t\tIf the regulations provide for a hearing by a committee of the school board, the regulations shall also provide that such committee may confirm or disapprove the suspension of a student. Any such committee of the school board shall be composed of at least three members. If the committee’s decision is not unanimous, the pupil or his parent may appeal the committee’s decision to the full school board. Such appeal shall be decided by the school board within 30 days.B\n\nA school board shall include in the written notice of a suspension for 11 to 45 school days required by this section notification of the length of the suspension. In the case of a suspension for 11 to 45 school days, such written notice shall provide information concerning the availability of community-based educational, alternative education, or intervention programs. Such notice shall also state that the student is eligible to return to regular school attendance upon the expiration of the suspension or to attend an appropriate alternative education program approved by the school board during or upon the expiration of the suspension. The costs of any community-based educational, alternative education, or intervention program that is not a part of the educational program offered by the school division that the student may attend during his suspension shall be borne by the parent of the student.\n\t\t\tNothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the school board from permitting or requiring students suspended pursuant to this section to attend an alternative education program provided by the school board for the term of such suspension.\n\t\t\tSchool boards shall adopt policies and procedures to ensure that suspended students are able to access and complete graded work during and after the suspension.C\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B, a long-term suspension may extend beyond a 45-school-day period but shall not exceed 364 calendar days if (i) the offense is one described in § 22.1-277.07 or 22.1-277.08 or involves serious bodily injury or (ii) the school board or division superintendent or his designee finds that aggravating circumstances exist, as defined by the Department. Such definition shall include a consideration of a student’s disciplinary history.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":268618,"text":"A pupil may be suspended from attendance at school for 11 to 45 school days after providing written notice to the pupil and his parent of the proposed action and the reasons therefor and of the right to a hearing before the school board, or a committee thereof, or the superintendent or his designee, in accordance with regulations of the school board. If the regulations provide for a hearing by the superintendent or his designee, the regulations shall also provide for an appeal of the decision to the full school board. Such appeal shall be decided by the school board within 30 days.\n\t\t\tIf the regulations provide for a hearing by a committee of the school board, the regulations shall also provide that such committee may confirm or disapprove the suspension of a student. Any such committee of the school board shall be composed of at least three members. If the committee’s decision is not unanimous, the pupil or his parent may appeal the committee’s decision to the full school board. Such appeal shall be decided by the school board within 30 days.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":268619,"text":"A school board shall include in the written notice of a suspension for 11 to 45 school days required by this section notification of the length of the suspension. In the case of a suspension for 11 to 45 school days, such written notice shall provide information concerning the availability of community-based educational, alternative education, or intervention programs. Such notice shall also state that the student is eligible to return to regular school attendance upon the expiration of the suspension or to attend an appropriate alternative education program approved by the school board during or upon the expiration of the suspension. The costs of any community-based educational, alternative education, or intervention program that is not a part of the educational program offered by the school division that the student may attend during his suspension shall be borne by the parent of the student.\n\t\t\tNothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the school board from permitting or requiring students suspended pursuant to this section to attend an alternative education program provided by the school board for the term of such suspension.\n\t\t\tSchool boards shall adopt policies and procedures to ensure that suspended students are able to access and complete graded work during and after the suspension.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":268620,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B, a long-term suspension may extend beyond a 45-school-day period but shall not exceed 364 calendar days if (i) the offense is one described in § 22.1-277.07 or 22.1-277.08 or involves serious bodily injury or (ii) the school board or division superintendent or his designee finds that aggravating circumstances exist, as defined by the Department. Such definition shall include a consideration of a student’s disciplinary history.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"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; 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procedures; readmission","url":"\/22.1-277.06\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.06","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/22.1-277.05\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1998. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 806<\/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 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 2001, chapters 688<\/a> and 820<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 491<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 337<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"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":77797,"section_number":"22.1-276.01","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-276.01\/"},{"id":87441,"section_number":"22.1-277","catch_line":"Suspensions and expulsions of students generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277\/"},{"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\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":67657,"section_number":"22.1-277.07","catch_line":"Expulsion of students under certain circumstances; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277.07\/"},{"id":75022,"section_number":"22.1-277.08","catch_line":"Expulsion of students for certain drug offenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-277.08\/"}],"permalink":{"id":182409,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74747,"identifier":"22.1-277.05","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.05","url":"\/22.1-277.05\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-277.05\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.05","dublin_core":{"Title":"Long-term suspensions; procedures; readmission","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-277.05","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A pupil may be suspended from attendance at school for 11 to 45 school days after providing written notice to the pupil and his parent<\/span> of the proposed action and the reasons therefor and of the right to a hearing<\/span> before the school board<\/span>, or a committee thereof, or the superintendent<\/span> or his designee, in accordance with regulations of the school board<\/span>. If the regulations provide for a hearing<\/span> by the superintendent<\/span> or his designee, the regulations shall also provide for an appeal<\/span> of the decision to the full school board<\/span>. Such appeal<\/span> shall be decided by the school board<\/span> within 30 days.\n\t\t\tIf the regulations provide for a hearing<\/span> by a committee of the school board<\/span>, the regulations shall also provide that such committee may confirm or disapprove the suspension of a student. Any such committee of the school board<\/span> shall be composed of at least three members. If the committee’s decision is not unanimous, the pupil or his parent<\/span> may appeal<\/span> the committee’s decision to the full school board<\/span>. Such appeal<\/span> shall be decided by the school board<\/span> within 30 days. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A school board<\/span> shall include in the written notice of a suspension for 11 to 45 school days required by this section notification of the length of the suspension. In the case of a suspension for 11 to 45 school days, such written notice shall provide information concerning the availability of community-based educational, alternative education, or intervention programs. Such notice shall also state that the student is eligible to return to regular school attendance upon the expiration of the suspension or to attend an appropriate alternative education program approved by the school board<\/span> during or upon the expiration of the suspension. The costs of any community-based educational, alternative education, or intervention program that is not a part of the educational program offered by the school division that the student may attend during his suspension shall be borne by the parent<\/span> of the student.\n\t\t\tNothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the school board<\/span> from permitting or requiring students suspended pursuant to this section to attend an alternative education program provided by the school board<\/span> for the term of such suspension.\n\t\t\tSchool boards<\/span> shall adopt policies and procedures to ensure that suspended students are able to access and complete graded work during and after the suspension. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B, a long-term suspension may extend beyond a 45-school-day period but shall not exceed 364 calendar days if (i) the offense<\/span> is one described in § 22.1-277.07<\/a> or 22.1-277.08<\/a> or involves serious bodily injury or (ii) the school board<\/span> or division superintendent<\/span> or his designee finds that aggravating circumstances exist, as defined by the Department<\/span>. Such definition shall include a consideration of a student’s disciplinary history. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLONG-TERM SUSPENSIONS; PROCEDURES; READMISSION (\u00a7 22.1-277.05)\n\nA. A pupil may be suspended from attendance at school for 11 to 45 school days\nafter providing written notice to the pupil and his parent of the proposed\naction and the reasons therefor and of the right to a hearing before the school\nboard, or a committee thereof, or the superintendent or his designee, in\naccordance with regulations of the school board. If the regulations provide for\na hearing by the superintendent or his designee, the regulations shall also\nprovide for an appeal of the decision to the full school board. Such appeal\nshall be decided by the school board within 30 days.\n\t\t\tIf the regulations provide for a hearing by a committee of the school board,\nthe regulations shall also provide that such committee may confirm or disapprove\nthe suspension of a student. Any such committee of the school board shall be\ncomposed of at least three members. If the committee’s decision is not\nunanimous, the pupil or his parent may appeal the committee’s decision to\nthe full school board. Such appeal shall be decided by the school board within\n30 days.\n\nB. A school board shall include in the written notice of a suspension for 11 to\n45 school days required by this section notification of the length of the\nsuspension. In the case of a suspension for 11 to 45 school days, such written\nnotice shall provide information concerning the availability of community-based\neducational, alternative education, or intervention programs. Such notice shall\nalso state that the student is eligible to return to regular school attendance\nupon the expiration of the suspension or to attend an appropriate alternative\neducation program approved by the school board during or upon the expiration of\nthe suspension. The costs of any community-based educational, alternative\neducation, or intervention program that is not a part of the educational program\noffered by the school division that the student may attend during his suspension\nshall be borne by the parent of the student.\n\t\t\tNothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the school board from\npermitting or requiring students suspended pursuant to this section to attend an\nalternative education program provided by the school board for the term of such\nsuspension.\n\t\t\tSchool boards shall adopt policies and procedures to ensure that suspended\nstudents are able to access and complete graded work during and after the\nsuspension.\n\nC. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B, a long-term suspension\nmay extend beyond a 45-school-day period but shall not exceed 364 calendar days\nif (i) the offense is one described in § 22.1-277.07 or 22.1-277.08 or\ninvolves serious bodily injury or (ii) the school board or division\nsuperintendent or his designee finds that aggravating circumstances exist, as\ndefined by the Department. Such definition shall include a consideration of a\nstudent’s disciplinary history.\n\nHISTORY: 1998, c. 806, \u00a7 22.1-277.03; 2001, cc. 688, 820; 2018, c. 491; 2020,\nc. 337.","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}}