{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-277.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-277.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-277.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-277.html"}],"law_id":87441,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87441,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277","catch_line":"Suspensions and expulsions of students generally","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 22-230.1, 22-230.2; 1972, c. 604; 1980, c. 559; 1984, c. 415; 1997, cc. 371, 585, 608, 734, 830; 1998, cc. 355, 379, \u00a7 22.1-277.02; 2001, cc. 688, 820; 2003, c. 119; 2009, c. 70; 2018, c. 585; 2019, cc. 573, 574; 2023, cc. 740, 773; 2025, cc. 606, 644.","full_text":"A\n\nStudents may be suspended or expelled from attendance at school for sufficient cause; however, in no cases may sufficient cause for suspensions include only instances of truancy or only a violation of any student cell phone and smart device possession and use policy developed and implemented pursuant to § 22.1-79.3:1.B\n\nExcept as provided in subsection C or § 22.1-277.07 or 22.1-277.08, no student in preschool through grade three shall be suspended for more than three school days or expelled from attendance at school, unless (i) the offense involves physical harm or credible threat of physical harm to others or (ii) the local school board or the division superintendent or his designee finds that aggravating circumstances exist, as defined by the Department.C\n\nAny student for whom the division superintendent of the school division in which such student is enrolled has received a report pursuant to § 16.1-305.1 of an adjudication of delinquency or a conviction for an offense listed in subsection G of § 16.1-260 may be suspended or expelled from school attendance pursuant to this article.D\n\nThe authority provided in § 22.1-276.2 for teachers to remove students from their classes in certain instances of disruptive behavior shall not be interpreted to affect the operation of § 22.1-277.04, 22.1-277.05, or 22.1-277.06.E\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of § 22.1-277.08, no school board shall be required to suspend or expel any student who holds a valid written certification for the use of cannabis oil issued by a practitioner in accordance with § 4.1-1601 for the possession or use of such oil in accordance with the student’s individualized health plan and in compliance with a policy adopted by the school board.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":313007,"text":"Students may be suspended or expelled from attendance at school for sufficient cause; however, in no cases may sufficient cause for suspensions include only instances of truancy or only a violation of any student cell phone and smart device possession and use policy developed and implemented pursuant to § 22.1-79.3:1.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":313008,"text":"Except as provided in subsection C or § 22.1-277.07 or 22.1-277.08, no student in preschool through grade three shall be suspended for more than three school days or expelled from attendance at school, unless (i) the offense involves physical harm or credible threat of physical harm to others or (ii) the local school board or the division superintendent or his designee finds that aggravating circumstances exist, as defined by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":313009,"text":"Any student for whom the division superintendent of the school division in which such student is enrolled has received a report pursuant to § 16.1-305.1 of an adjudication of delinquency or a conviction for an offense listed in subsection G of § 16.1-260 may be suspended or expelled from school attendance pursuant to this article.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":313010,"text":"The authority provided in § 22.1-276.2 for teachers to remove students from their classes in certain instances of disruptive behavior shall not be interpreted to affect the operation of § 22.1-277.04, 22.1-277.05, or 22.1-277.06.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":313011,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of § 22.1-277.08, no school board shall be required to suspend or expel any student who holds a valid written certification for the use of cannabis oil issued by a practitioner in accordance with § 4.1-1601 for the possession or use of such oil in accordance with the student’s individualized health plan and in compliance with a policy adopted by the school board.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"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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The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 12 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 1972, chapter 604; in 1980, chapter 559; in 1984, chapter 415; in 1997, chapters 371<\/a>, 585<\/a>, 608<\/a>, 734<\/a>, and 830<\/a>; in 1998, chapters 355<\/a> and 379<\/a>; in 2001, chapters 688<\/a> and 820<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 119<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 70<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 585<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 573<\/a> and 574<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 740<\/a> and 773<\/a>; in 2025, chapters 606<\/a> and 644<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":57319,"section_number":"22.1-200.1","catch_line":"Optional education programs for kindergarten through grade five","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-200.1\/"},{"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":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\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":57160,"section_number":"16.1-260","catch_line":"Intake; petition; investigation","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-260\/"},{"id":61575,"section_number":"16.1-305.1","catch_line":"Disclosure of disposition in certain delinquency cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-305.1\/"},{"id":59973,"section_number":"22.1-276.2","catch_line":"Removal of students from classes","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-276.2\/"},{"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":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\/"},{"id":63911,"section_number":"4.1-1601","catch_line":"Certification for use of cannabis for treatment","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-1601\/"}],"permalink":{"id":182397,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87441,"identifier":"22.1-277","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277","url":"\/22.1-277\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-277\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277","dublin_core":{"Title":"Suspensions and expulsions of students generally","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-277","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Students may be suspended or expelled from attendance at school for sufficient cause; however, in no cases may sufficient cause for suspensions include only instances of truancy or only a violation of any student cell phone and smart device possession<\/span> and use policy developed and implemented pursuant to § 22.1-79.3:1<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Except as provided in subsection C or § 22.1-277.07<\/a> or 22.1-277.08<\/a>, no student in preschool through grade three shall be suspended for more than three school days or expelled from attendance at school, unless (i) the offense<\/span> involves physical harm or credible threat of physical harm to others or (ii) the local school board<\/span> or the division superintendent<\/span> or his designee finds that aggravating circumstances exist, as defined by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any student for whom the division superintendent<\/span> of the school division in which such student is enrolled has received a report pursuant to § 16.1-305.1<\/a> of an adjudication of delinquency or a conviction<\/span> for an offense<\/span> listed in subsection G of § 16.1-260<\/a> may be suspended or expelled from school attendance pursuant to this article. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The authority provided in § 22.1-276.2<\/a> for teachers to remove students from their classes in certain instances of disruptive behavior shall not be interpreted to affect the operation of § 22.1-277.04<\/a>, 22.1-277.05<\/a>, or 22.1-277.06<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of § 22.1-277.08<\/a>, no school board<\/span> shall be required to suspend or expel any student who holds a valid written certification for the use of cannabis oil issued by a practitioner in accordance with § 4.1-1601<\/a> for the possession<\/span> or use of such oil in accordance with the student’s individualized health plan and in compliance with a policy adopted by the school board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS OF STUDENTS GENERALLY (\u00a7 22.1-277)\n\nA. Students may be suspended or expelled from attendance at school for\nsufficient cause; however, in no cases may sufficient cause for suspensions\ninclude only instances of truancy or only a violation of any student cell phone\nand smart device possession and use policy developed and implemented pursuant to\n§ 22.1-79.3:1.\n\nB. Except as provided in subsection C or § 22.1-277.07 or 22.1-277.08, no\nstudent in preschool through grade three shall be suspended for more than three\nschool days or expelled from attendance at school, unless (i) the offense\ninvolves physical harm or credible threat of physical harm to others or (ii) the\nlocal school board or the division superintendent or his designee finds that\naggravating circumstances exist, as defined by the Department.\n\nC. Any student for whom the division superintendent of the school division in\nwhich such student is enrolled has received a report pursuant to §\n16.1-305.1 of an adjudication of delinquency or a conviction for an offense\nlisted in subsection G of § 16.1-260 may be suspended or expelled from\nschool attendance pursuant to this article.\n\nD. The authority provided in § 22.1-276.2 for teachers to remove students\nfrom their classes in certain instances of disruptive behavior shall not be\ninterpreted to affect the operation of § 22.1-277.04, 22.1-277.05, or\n22.1-277.06.\n\nE. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 22.1-277.08, no school board shall\nbe required to suspend or expel any student who holds a valid written\ncertification for the use of cannabis oil issued by a practitioner in accordance\nwith § 4.1-1601 for the possession or use of such oil in accordance with\nthe student’s individualized health plan and in compliance with a policy\nadopted by the school board.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 22-230.1, 22-230.2; 1972, c. 604; 1980, c. 559; 1984,\nc. 415; 1997, cc. 371, 585, 608, 734, 830; 1998, cc. 355, 379, \u00a7 22.1-277.02;\n2001, cc. 688, 820; 2003, c. 119; 2009, c. 70; 2018, c. 585; 2019, cc. 573, 574;\n2023, cc. 740, 773; 2025, cc. 606, 644.","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}}