{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-296.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-296.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-296.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-296.1.html"}],"law_id":62723,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62723,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.1","catch_line":"Data on convictions for certain crimes and child abuse and neglect required; penalty","history":"1985, c. 487; 1987, c. 359; 1996, c. 960; 1997, c. 103; 2003, c. 723; 2006, c. 790; 2007, cc. 245, 431; 2008, c. 555; 2020, c. 877; 2023, cc. 670, 703; 2025, c. 642.","full_text":"A\n\nAs a condition of employment for all of its public school employees, whether full-time or part-time, permanent, or temporary, every school board shall require on its application for employment certification of whether the applicant has been convicted of any violent felony set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02; any offense involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense; or any crime of moral turpitude. Any individual making a materially false statement regarding any such offense is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and, in the case of a teacher, upon conviction, the fact of such conviction is grounds for the Board to revoke his license to teach.B\n\nNo school board shall employ any individual who has been convicted of any:1\n\nOffense involving the sexual molestation of, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense.2\n\nViolent felony or crime of moral turpitude set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02, provided, however, that any school board may employ such an individual if (i) such felony conviction does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense; (ii) such an individual (a) has had his civil rights restored by the Governor; (b) has completed all terms of supervision and has been released from supervision for more than 20 years; (c) is, in the opinion of the school board, of upstanding character; and (d) has demonstrated commitment to public or community service and rehabilitation after completing all terms of supervision; and (iii) the school board certifies in writing that such an individual meets the requirements set forth in this subsection.C\n\nAny school board may employ any individual who has been convicted of any felony or crime of moral turpitude that is not set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02 and does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense, provided that in the case of a felony conviction, such individual has had his civil rights restored by the Governor.D\n\nEvery school board shall also require on its application for employment, as a condition of employment requiring direct contact with students, whether full-time or part-time, permanent, or temporary, certification that the applicant has not been the subject of a founded case of child abuse and neglect. Any person making a materially false statement regarding a finding of child abuse and neglect is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and upon conviction, the fact of such conviction is grounds for the Board to revoke such person&#8217;s license to teach.E\n\nAs a condition of awarding a contract for the provision of services that require the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on school property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored activities, the school board shall require the contractor to provide certification of whether any individual who will provide such services has been convicted of any violent felony set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02; any offense involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense; or any crime of moral turpitude.\n\t\t\tAny individual making a materially false statement regarding any such offense is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and, upon conviction, the fact of such conviction is grounds for the revocation of the contract to provide such services and, when relevant, the revocation of any license required to provide such services. School boards shall not be liable for materially false statements regarding the certifications required by this subsection.\n\t\t\tThis subsection shall not apply to a contractor or his employees providing services to a school division in an emergency or exceptional situation, such as when student health or safety is endangered or when repairs are needed on an urgent basis to ensure that school facilities are safe and habitable, when it is reasonably anticipated that the contractor or his employees will have no direct contact with students.F\n\nNo school board shall award a contract for the provision of services that require the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on school property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored activities when any individual who provides such services has been convicted of any:1\n\nOffense involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense.2\n\nViolent felony or crime of moral turpitude set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02, provided, however, that any school board may award a contract for the provision of such services if (i) such felony conviction does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense; (ii) such an individual (a) has had his civil rights restored by the Governor; (b) has completed all terms of supervision and has been released from supervision for more than 20 years; (c) is, in the opinion of the school board, of upstanding character; and (d) has demonstrated commitment to public or community service and rehabilitation after completing all terms of supervision; and (iii) the school board certifies in writing that such an individual meets the requirements set forth in this subsection.G\n\nAny school board may award a contract for the provision of services that require the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on school property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored activities when any individual who provides such services has been convicted of any felony or crime of moral turpitude that is not set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02 and does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense, provided that in the case of a felony conviction, such individual has had his civil rights restored by the Governor.H\n\nFor the purposes of this section, &#8220;school board&#8221; includes the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, which, for the purpose of receiving criminal history record information pertaining to an application for employment from the Central Criminal Records Exchange, shall be a governmental entity.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":228688,"text":"As a condition of employment for all of its public school employees, whether full-time or part-time, permanent, or temporary, every school board shall require on its application for employment certification of whether the applicant has been convicted of any violent felony set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02; any offense involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense; or any crime of moral turpitude. Any individual making a materially false statement regarding any such offense is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and, in the case of a teacher, upon conviction, the fact of such conviction is grounds for the Board to revoke his license to teach.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":228689,"text":"No school board shall employ any individual who has been convicted of any:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":228690,"text":"Offense involving the sexual molestation of, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":228691,"text":"Violent felony or crime of moral turpitude set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02, provided, however, that any school board may employ such an individual if (i) such felony conviction does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense; (ii) such an individual (a) has had his civil rights restored by the Governor; (b) has completed all terms of supervision and has been released from supervision for more than 20 years; (c) is, in the opinion of the school board, of upstanding character; and (d) has demonstrated commitment to public or community service and rehabilitation after completing all terms of supervision; and (iii) the school board certifies in writing that such an individual meets the requirements set forth in this subsection.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":228692,"text":"Any school board may employ any individual who has been convicted of any felony or crime of moral turpitude that is not set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02 and does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense, provided that in the case of a felony conviction, such individual has had his civil rights restored by the Governor.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":228693,"text":"Every school board shall also require on its application for employment, as a condition of employment requiring direct contact with students, whether full-time or part-time, permanent, or temporary, certification that the applicant has not been the subject of a founded case of child abuse and neglect. Any person making a materially false statement regarding a finding of child abuse and neglect is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and upon conviction, the fact of such conviction is grounds for the Board to revoke such person&#8217;s license to teach.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":228694,"text":"As a condition of awarding a contract for the provision of services that require the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on school property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored activities, the school board shall require the contractor to provide certification of whether any individual who will provide such services has been convicted of any violent felony set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02; any offense involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense; or any crime of moral turpitude.\n\t\t\tAny individual making a materially false statement regarding any such offense is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and, upon conviction, the fact of such conviction is grounds for the revocation of the contract to provide such services and, when relevant, the revocation of any license required to provide such services. School boards shall not be liable for materially false statements regarding the certifications required by this subsection.\n\t\t\tThis subsection shall not apply to a contractor or his employees providing services to a school division in an emergency or exceptional situation, such as when student health or safety is endangered or when repairs are needed on an urgent basis to ensure that school facilities are safe and habitable, when it is reasonably anticipated that the contractor or his employees will have no direct contact with students.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"7":{"id":228695,"text":"No school board shall award a contract for the provision of services that require the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on school property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored activities when any individual who provides such services has been convicted of any:","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"F1"},"8":{"id":228696,"text":"Offense involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense.","type":"section","prefixes":["F","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"F1","prefix_anchor":"F1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"F2"},"9":{"id":228697,"text":"Violent felony or crime of moral turpitude set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02, provided, however, that any school board may award a contract for the provision of such services if (i) such felony conviction does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense; (ii) such an individual (a) has had his civil rights restored by the Governor; (b) has completed all terms of supervision and has been released from supervision for more than 20 years; (c) is, in the opinion of the school board, of upstanding character; and (d) has demonstrated commitment to public or community service and rehabilitation after completing all terms of supervision; and (iii) the school board certifies in writing that such an individual meets the requirements set forth in this subsection.","type":"section","prefixes":["F","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"F2","prefix_anchor":"F2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"F1","next_prefix":"G"},"10":{"id":228698,"text":"Any school board may award a contract for the provision of services that require the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on school property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored activities when any individual who provides such services has been convicted of any felony or crime of moral turpitude that is not set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02 and does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense, provided that in the case of a felony conviction, such individual has had his civil rights restored by the Governor.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F2","next_prefix":"H"},"11":{"id":228699,"text":"For the purposes of this section, &#8220;school board&#8221; includes the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, which, for the purpose of receiving criminal history record information pertaining to an application for employment from the Central Criminal Records Exchange, shall be a governmental entity.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14223,"edition_id":1,"name":"Terms of Employment Generally","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12824,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:21","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:21","permalink":{"id":182951,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14223,"identifier":"2","token":"22.1\/15\/2","url":"\/22.1\/15\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12824,"edition_id":1,"name":"Teachers, Officers and Employees","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12823,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":182871,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12824,"identifier":"15","token":"22.1\/15","url":"\/22.1\/15\/","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":64907,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-293","catch_line":"School boards authorized to employ principals and assistant principals; license required; powers and duties","url":"\/22.1-293\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-293","metadata":false},{"id":67734,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-294","catch_line":"Probationary terms of service for principals, assistant principals, and supervisors; evaluation; reassigning principal, assistant principal, or supervisor to teaching position","url":"\/22.1-294\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-294","metadata":false},{"id":69191,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-295","catch_line":"Employment of teachers","url":"\/22.1-295\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-295","metadata":false},{"id":55436,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-295.1","catch_line":"Employee personnel files; maintenance of employee records; confidentiality of certain records","url":"\/22.1-295.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-295.1","metadata":false},{"id":56821,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-295.2","catch_line":"Employment discrimination prohibited","url":"\/22.1-295.2\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-295.2","metadata":false},{"id":75428,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296","catch_line":"Payment of employees; reimbursement for private transportation; certain sick leave policies","url":"\/22.1-296\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296","metadata":false},{"id":62723,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.1","catch_line":"Data on convictions for certain crimes and child abuse and neglect required; penalty","url":"\/22.1-296.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.1","metadata":false},{"id":74413,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.2","catch_line":"Fingerprinting required; reciprocity permitted","url":"\/22.1-296.2\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.2","metadata":false},{"id":55924,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.3","catch_line":"Certain private school employees subject to fingerprinting and criminal records checks","url":"\/22.1-296.3\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.3","metadata":false},{"id":69692,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.4","catch_line":"Child abuse and neglect data required","url":"\/22.1-296.4\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.4","metadata":false},{"id":59597,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.5","catch_line":"Employment verification required","url":"\/22.1-296.5\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.5","metadata":false},{"id":65919,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-297","catch_line":"Assignment of teachers, principals and assistant principals by superintendent","url":"\/22.1-297\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-297","metadata":false},{"id":86723,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-298\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298","metadata":false},{"id":71301,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.1","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2030) Regulations governing licensure","url":"\/22.1-298.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.1","metadata":false},{"id":59407,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.2","catch_line":"Regulations governing education preparation programs","url":"\/22.1-298.2\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.2","metadata":false},{"id":60838,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.2:1","catch_line":"(Contingent effective date \u2014 see note) Teacher employment data; education preparation programs","url":"\/22.1-298.2_1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":78939,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.3","catch_line":"Students with autism spectrum disorders; training required of personnel","url":"\/22.1-298.3\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.3","metadata":false},{"id":66256,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.4","catch_line":"Teacher preparation programs; learning disabilities","url":"\/22.1-298.4\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.4","metadata":false},{"id":56301,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.5","catch_line":"Regulations governing licensure; endorsement in dual language instruction pre-kindergarten through grade six","url":"\/22.1-298.5\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.5","metadata":false},{"id":80956,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.6","catch_line":"Mental health awareness training","url":"\/22.1-298.6\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.6","metadata":false},{"id":65764,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.7","catch_line":"Teachers and other licensed school board employees; cultural competency training","url":"\/22.1-298.7\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.7","metadata":false},{"id":85044,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.8","catch_line":"Public elementary and secondary school teachers; certain training activities; requirements and limitations; index","url":"\/22.1-298.8\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.8","metadata":false},{"id":71681,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2030) License required of teachers; provisional licenses; exceptions","url":"\/22.1-299\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299","metadata":false},{"id":68324,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-299.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.1","metadata":false},{"id":70249,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.2","catch_line":"National Teacher Certification Incentive Reward Program and Fund","url":"\/22.1-299.2\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.2","metadata":false},{"id":81334,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-299.3\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.3","metadata":false},{"id":57049,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.4","catch_line":"Teach For America license","url":"\/22.1-299.4\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.4","metadata":false},{"id":72039,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.5","catch_line":"Waiver of teacher licensure requirements; trade and industrial education programs","url":"\/22.1-299.5\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.5","metadata":false},{"id":87315,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.6","catch_line":"Career and technical education; three-year licenses","url":"\/22.1-299.6\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.6","metadata":false},{"id":79194,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.7","catch_line":"Microcredential program; certain STEM subjects","url":"\/22.1-299.7\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.7","metadata":false},{"id":80524,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.7:1","catch_line":" (For effective date, see Acts 2022, cc. 549, 550, cl. 2) Microcredential program; reading specialists","url":"\/22.1-299.7_1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.7_1","metadata":false},{"id":65219,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.8","catch_line":"Technical professional licenses; substitution of certain professional development activities for required coursework","url":"\/22.1-299.8\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.8","metadata":false},{"id":61649,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-300","catch_line":"Tuberculosis certificate","url":"\/22.1-300\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-300","metadata":false},{"id":76288,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-301","catch_line":"Costs of medical examinations and of furnishing medical records","url":"\/22.1-301\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-301","metadata":false},{"id":74415,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-302","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2027) Written contracts required; execution of contracts; qualifications of temporarily employed teachers; rules and requirements","url":"\/22.1-302\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-302","metadata":false},{"id":55716,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-303","catch_line":"Probationary terms of service for teachers","url":"\/22.1-303\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-303","metadata":false},{"id":63799,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-303.1","catch_line":"Immunity from civil liability for certain individuals","url":"\/22.1-303.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-303.1","metadata":false},{"id":83664,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-304","catch_line":"Reemployment of teacher who has not achieved continuing contract status; effect of continuing contract; resignation of teacher; reduction in number of teachers","url":"\/22.1-304\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-304","metadata":false},{"id":64910,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-305","catch_line":"Nonrenewal of contract of probationary teacher","url":"\/22.1-305\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-305","metadata":false},{"id":66269,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-305.1","catch_line":"Mentor teacher programs","url":"\/22.1-305.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-305.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":75428,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296","catch_line":"Payment of employees; reimbursement for private transportation; certain sick leave policies","url":"\/22.1-296\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74413,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.2","catch_line":"Fingerprinting required; reciprocity permitted","url":"\/22.1-296.2\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/22.1-296.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1985. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 487 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 1985 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 10 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 1987, chapter 359; in 1996, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0960\">960<\/a>; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0103\">103<\/a>; in 2003, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0723\">723<\/a>; in 2006, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?061+ful+CHAP0790\">790<\/a>; in 2007, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?071+ful+CHAP0245\">245<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?071+ful+CHAP0431\">431<\/a>; in 2008, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?081+ful+CHAP0555\">555<\/a>; in 2020, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0877\">877<\/a>; in 2023, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?231+ful+CHAP0670\">670<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?231+ful+CHAP0703\">703<\/a>; in 2025, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?251+ful+CHAP0642\">642<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":69815,"section_number":"22.1-212.13","catch_line":"Employment of professional, licensed personnel","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-212.13\/"},{"id":55781,"section_number":"22.1-212.26","catch_line":"Teachers and administrators of online courses and virtual programs","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-212.26\/"},{"id":81336,"section_number":"22.1-349","catch_line":"Terms of employment of teachers","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-349\/"},{"id":69652,"section_number":"22.1-349.9","catch_line":"Employment of professional, licensed personnel","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-349.9\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":61280,"section_number":"19.2-392.02","catch_line":"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.02\/"}],"permalink":{"id":182977,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62723,"identifier":"22.1-296.1","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.1","url":"\/22.1-296.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-296.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Data on convictions for certain crimes and child abuse and neglect required; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-296.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> As a condition of employment for all of its public school employees, whether full-time or part-time, permanent, or temporary, every <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> shall require on its application for employment certification of whether the applicant has been convicted of any violent <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> set forth in the definition of barrier <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> in subsection A of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled\" href=\"\/19.2-392.02\/\">19.2-392.02<\/a>; any <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span> involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or <span class=\"dictionary\">rape<\/span> of a child, or the solicitation of any such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>; or any <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">moral turpitude<\/span>. Any individual making a materially false statement regarding any such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span> is guilty of a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span> and, in the case of a teacher, upon <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">fact<\/span> of such <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span> is grounds for the Board to revoke his license to teach. <a id=\"paragraph-228688\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#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> No <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> shall employ any individual who has been convicted of any: <a id=\"paragraph-228689\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">Offense<\/span> involving the sexual molestation of, physical or sexual abuse, or <span class=\"dictionary\">rape<\/span> of a child, or the solicitation of any such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-228690\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#B1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Violent <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">moral turpitude<\/span> set forth in the definition of barrier <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> in subsection A of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled\" href=\"\/19.2-392.02\/\">19.2-392.02<\/a>, provided, however, that any <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> may employ such an individual if (i) such <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span> does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or <span class=\"dictionary\">rape<\/span> of a child, or the solicitation of any such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>; (ii) such an individual (a) has had his civil rights restored by the Governor; (b) has completed all terms of supervision and has been released from supervision for more than 20 years; (c) is, in the <span class=\"dictionary\">opinion<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span>, of upstanding character; and (d) has demonstrated commitment to public or <span class=\"dictionary\">community service<\/span> and rehabilitation after completing all terms of supervision; and (iii) the <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> certifies in writing that such an individual meets the requirements set forth in this subsection. <a id=\"paragraph-228691\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#B2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> may employ any individual who has been convicted of any <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">moral turpitude<\/span> that is not set forth in the definition of barrier <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> in subsection A of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled\" href=\"\/19.2-392.02\/\">19.2-392.02<\/a> and does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or <span class=\"dictionary\">rape<\/span> of a child, or the solicitation of any such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>, provided that in the case of a <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span>, such individual has had his civil rights restored by the Governor. <a id=\"paragraph-228692\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> Every <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> shall also require on its application for employment, as a condition of employment requiring direct contact with students, whether full-time or part-time, permanent, or temporary, certification that the applicant has not been the subject of a founded case of child abuse and neglect. Any person making a materially false statement regarding a <span class=\"dictionary\">finding<\/span> of child abuse and neglect is guilty of a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span> and upon <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">fact<\/span> of such <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span> is grounds for the Board to revoke such person&#8217;s license to teach. <a id=\"paragraph-228693\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> As a condition of awarding a <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> for the provision of services that require the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on school property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored activities, the <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> shall require the contractor to provide certification of whether any individual who will provide such services has been convicted of any violent <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> set forth in the definition of barrier <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> in subsection A of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled\" href=\"\/19.2-392.02\/\">19.2-392.02<\/a>; any <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span> involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or <span class=\"dictionary\">rape<\/span> of a child, or the solicitation of any such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>; or any <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">moral turpitude<\/span>.\n\t\t\tAny individual making a materially false statement regarding any such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span> is guilty of a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span> and, upon <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">fact<\/span> of such <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span> is grounds for the <span class=\"dictionary\">revocation<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> to provide such services and, when relevant, the <span class=\"dictionary\">revocation<\/span> of any license required to provide such services. <span class=\"dictionary\">School boards<\/span> shall not be liable for materially false statements regarding the certifications required by this subsection.\n\t\t\tThis subsection shall not apply to a contractor or his employees providing services to a school division in an emergency or exceptional situation, such as when student health or safety is endangered or when repairs are needed on an urgent basis to ensure that school facilities are safe and habitable, when it is reasonably anticipated that the contractor or his employees will have no direct contact with students. <a id=\"paragraph-228694\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"F\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">F.<\/span> No <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> shall award a <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> for the provision of services that require the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on school property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored activities when any individual who provides such services has been convicted of any: <a id=\"paragraph-228695\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#F\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"F1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">Offense<\/span> involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or <span class=\"dictionary\">rape<\/span> of a child, or the solicitation of any such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-228696\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#F1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"F2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Violent <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">moral turpitude<\/span> set forth in the definition of barrier <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> in subsection A of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled\" href=\"\/19.2-392.02\/\">19.2-392.02<\/a>, provided, however, that any <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> may award a <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> for the provision of such services if (i) such <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span> does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or <span class=\"dictionary\">rape<\/span> of a child, or the solicitation of any such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>; (ii) such an individual (a) has had his civil rights restored by the Governor; (b) has completed all terms of supervision and has been released from supervision for more than 20 years; (c) is, in the <span class=\"dictionary\">opinion<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span>, of upstanding character; and (d) has demonstrated commitment to public or <span class=\"dictionary\">community service<\/span> and rehabilitation after completing all terms of supervision; and (iii) the <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> certifies in writing that such an individual meets the requirements set forth in this subsection. <a id=\"paragraph-228697\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#F2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"G\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">G.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> may award a <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> for the provision of services that require the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on school property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored activities when any individual who provides such services has been convicted of any <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">moral turpitude<\/span> that is not set forth in the definition of barrier <span class=\"dictionary\">crime<\/span> in subsection A of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled\" href=\"\/19.2-392.02\/\">19.2-392.02<\/a> and does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or <span class=\"dictionary\">rape<\/span> of a child, or the solicitation of any such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>, provided that in the case of a <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span>, such individual has had his civil rights restored by the Governor. <a id=\"paragraph-228698\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#G\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"H\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">H.<\/span> For the purposes of this section, &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span>&#8221; includes the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, which, for the purpose of receiving criminal history record information pertaining to an application for employment from the Central Criminal Records Exchange, shall be a governmental entity. <a id=\"paragraph-228699\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-296.1\/#H\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDATA ON CONVICTIONS FOR CERTAIN CRIMES AND CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REQUIRED;\nPENALTY (\u00a7 22.1-296.1)\n\nA. As a condition of employment for all of its public school employees, whether\nfull-time or part-time, permanent, or temporary, every school board shall\nrequire on its application for employment certification of whether the applicant\nhas been convicted of any violent felony set forth in the definition of barrier\ncrime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02; any offense involving the sexual\nmolestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation\nof any such offense; or any crime of moral turpitude. Any individual making a\nmaterially false statement regarding any such offense is guilty of a Class 1\nmisdemeanor and, in the case of a teacher, upon conviction, the fact of such\nconviction is grounds for the Board to revoke his license to teach.\n\nB. No school board shall employ any individual who has been convicted of any:\n\n   1. Offense involving the sexual molestation of, physical or sexual abuse, or\n   rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense.\n\n   2. Violent felony or crime of moral turpitude set forth in the definition of\n   barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02, provided, however, that\n   any school board may employ such an individual if (i) such felony conviction\n   does not involve the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of\n   a child, or the solicitation of any such offense; (ii) such an individual (a)\n   has had his civil rights restored by the Governor; (b) has completed all terms\n   of supervision and has been released from supervision for more than 20 years;\n   (c) is, in the opinion of the school board, of upstanding character; and (d)\n   has demonstrated commitment to public or community service and rehabilitation\n   after completing all terms of supervision; and (iii) the school board\n   certifies in writing that such an individual meets the requirements set forth\n   in this subsection.\n\nC. Any school board may employ any individual who has been convicted of any\nfelony or crime of moral turpitude that is not set forth in the definition of\nbarrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02 and does not involve the\nsexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the\nsolicitation of any such offense, provided that in the case of a felony\nconviction, such individual has had his civil rights restored by the Governor.\n\nD. Every school board shall also require on its application for employment, as a\ncondition of employment requiring direct contact with students, whether\nfull-time or part-time, permanent, or temporary, certification that the\napplicant has not been the subject of a founded case of child abuse and neglect.\nAny person making a materially false statement regarding a finding of child\nabuse and neglect is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and upon conviction, the\nfact of such conviction is grounds for the Board to revoke such person&#8217;s\nlicense to teach.\n\nE. As a condition of awarding a contract for the provision of services that\nrequire the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on\nschool property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored\nactivities, the school board shall require the contractor to provide\ncertification of whether any individual who will provide such services has been\nconvicted of any violent felony set forth in the definition of barrier crime in\nsubsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02; any offense involving the sexual\nmolestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation\nof any such offense; or any crime of moral turpitude.\n\t\t\tAny individual making a materially false statement regarding any such offense\nis guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and, upon conviction, the fact of such\nconviction is grounds for the revocation of the contract to provide such\nservices and, when relevant, the revocation of any license required to provide\nsuch services. School boards shall not be liable for materially false statements\nregarding the certifications required by this subsection.\n\t\t\tThis subsection shall not apply to a contractor or his employees providing\nservices to a school division in an emergency or exceptional situation, such as\nwhen student health or safety is endangered or when repairs are needed on an\nurgent basis to ensure that school facilities are safe and habitable, when it is\nreasonably anticipated that the contractor or his employees will have no direct\ncontact with students.\n\nF. No school board shall award a contract for the provision of services that\nrequire the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on\nschool property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored\nactivities when any individual who provides such services has been convicted of\nany:\n\n   1. Offense involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape\n   of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense.\n\n   2. Violent felony or crime of moral turpitude set forth in the definition of\n   barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02, provided, however, that\n   any school board may award a contract for the provision of such services if\n   (i) such felony conviction does not involve the sexual molestation, physical\n   or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the solicitation of any such offense;\n   (ii) such an individual (a) has had his civil rights restored by the Governor;\n   (b) has completed all terms of supervision and has been released from\n   supervision for more than 20 years; (c) is, in the opinion of the school\n   board, of upstanding character; and (d) has demonstrated commitment to public\n   or community service and rehabilitation after completing all terms of\n   supervision; and (iii) the school board certifies in writing that such an\n   individual meets the requirements set forth in this subsection.\n\nG. Any school board may award a contract for the provision of services that\nrequire the contractor or his employees to have direct contact with students on\nschool property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored\nactivities when any individual who provides such services has been convicted of\nany felony or crime of moral turpitude that is not set forth in the definition\nof barrier crime in subsection A of &#xA7; 19.2-392.02 and does not involve the\nsexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child, or the\nsolicitation of any such offense, provided that in the case of a felony\nconviction, such individual has had his civil rights restored by the Governor.\n\nH. For the purposes of this section, &#8220;school board&#8221; includes the\nBoard of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, which, for\nthe purpose of receiving criminal history record information pertaining to an\napplication for employment from the Central Criminal Records Exchange, shall be\na governmental entity.\n\nHISTORY: 1985, c. 487; 1987, c. 359; 1996, c. 960; 1997, c. 103; 2003, c. 723;\n2006, c. 790; 2007, cc. 245, 431; 2008, c. 555; 2020, c. 877; 2023, cc. 670,\n703; 2025, c. 642.","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}}