{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-70.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-70.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-70.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-70.2.html"}],"law_id":62812,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62812,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-70.2","catch_line":"Acceptable Internet use policies for public and private schools","history":"1999, c. 64; 2001, c. 269; 2006, cc. 52, 474; 2010, c. 61.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery two years, each local school board shall review, amend if necessary, and approve the school division’s acceptable use policy for the Internet. At a minimum, the policy shall contain provisions that (i) are designed to prohibit use by division employees and students of the division’s computer equipment and communications services for sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading illegal material via the Internet; (ii) seek to prevent access by students to material that the school division deems to be harmful to juveniles as defined in § 18.2-390; (iii) select a technology for the division’s computers having Internet access to filter or block Internet access through such computers to child pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.1:1 and obscenity as defined in § 18.2-372; (iv) establish appropriate measures to be taken against persons who violate the policy; and (v) include a component on Internet safety for students that is integrated in a division’s instructional program. The policy may include such other terms, conditions, and requirements as deemed appropriate, such as requiring written parental authorization for Internet use by juveniles or differentiating acceptable uses among elementary, middle, and high school students.\n\t\t\tEach school division’s policy shall be posted on its website in accordance with § 22.1-253.13:7. Additionally, each local school division shall certify compliance with these requirements annually to the Department of Education.B\n\nThe superintendent shall take such steps as he deems appropriate to implement and enforce the division’s policy.C\n\nIn addition to the foregoing requirements regarding public school Internet use policies, the principal or other chief administrator of any private school that satisfies the compulsory school attendance law pursuant to § 22.1-254 and accepts federal funds for Internet access shall select a technology for its computers having Internet access to filter or block Internet access through such computers to child pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.1:1 and obscenity as defined in § 18.2-372.D\n\nThe Superintendent of Public Instruction shall issue guidelines to school divisions regarding instructional programs related to Internet safety.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":228969,"text":"Every two years, each local school board shall review, amend if necessary, and approve the school division’s acceptable use policy for the Internet. At a minimum, the policy shall contain provisions that (i) are designed to prohibit use by division employees and students of the division’s computer equipment and communications services for sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading illegal material via the Internet; (ii) seek to prevent access by students to material that the school division deems to be harmful to juveniles as defined in § 18.2-390; (iii) select a technology for the division’s computers having Internet access to filter or block Internet access through such computers to child pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.1:1 and obscenity as defined in § 18.2-372; (iv) establish appropriate measures to be taken against persons who violate the policy; and (v) include a component on Internet safety for students that is integrated in a division’s instructional program. The policy may include such other terms, conditions, and requirements as deemed appropriate, such as requiring written parental authorization for Internet use by juveniles or differentiating acceptable uses among elementary, middle, and high school students.\n\t\t\tEach school division’s policy shall be posted on its website in accordance with § 22.1-253.13:7. Additionally, each local school division shall certify compliance with these requirements annually to the Department of Education.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":228970,"text":"The superintendent shall take such steps as he deems appropriate to implement and enforce the division’s policy.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":228971,"text":"In addition to the foregoing requirements regarding public school Internet use policies, the principal or other chief administrator of any private school that satisfies the compulsory school attendance law pursuant to § 22.1-254 and accepts federal funds for Internet access shall select a technology for its computers having Internet access to filter or block Internet access through such computers to child pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.1:1 and obscenity as defined in § 18.2-372.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":228972,"text":"The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall issue guidelines to school divisions regarding instructional programs related to Internet safety.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15158,"edition_id":1,"name":"Division Superintendents","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12823,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:52:35","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:52:35","permalink":{"id":184025,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15158,"identifier":"6","token":"22.1\/6","url":"\/22.1\/6\/","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":85764,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-58","catch_line":"Division superintendent required","url":"\/22.1-58\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-58","metadata":false},{"id":60583,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-59","catch_line":"Qualifications of superintendent","url":"\/22.1-59\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-59","metadata":false},{"id":71711,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-60","catch_line":"Appointment and term of superintendent; certain contractual matters","url":"\/22.1-60\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-60","metadata":false},{"id":86763,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-60.1","catch_line":"Evaluation of superintendent","url":"\/22.1-60.1\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-60.1","metadata":false},{"id":72601,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-61","catch_line":"When Board to appoint superintendent","url":"\/22.1-61\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-61","metadata":false},{"id":82356,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-62","catch_line":"Appointment of same person by two or more school divisions; approval of part-time superintendent by State Board","url":"\/22.1-62\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-62","metadata":false},{"id":59030,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-63","catch_line":"Certain officers ineligible for or to hold office of superintendent","url":"\/22.1-63\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-63","metadata":false},{"id":77669,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-64","catch_line":"Oath of superintendent","url":"\/22.1-64\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-64","metadata":false},{"id":57734,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-65","catch_line":"Punishment of division superintendents","url":"\/22.1-65\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-65","metadata":false},{"id":79947,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-66","catch_line":"Vacancy in office","url":"\/22.1-66\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-66","metadata":false},{"id":82618,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-67","catch_line":"Expenses of superintendents","url":"\/22.1-67\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-67","metadata":false},{"id":76570,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-68","catch_line":"Records","url":"\/22.1-68\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-68","metadata":false},{"id":86247,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-69","catch_line":"Superintendent to attend meetings","url":"\/22.1-69\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-69","metadata":false},{"id":58471,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-70","catch_line":"Powers and duties of superintendent generally","url":"\/22.1-70\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-70","metadata":false},{"id":79371,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-70.1","catch_line":"Reports of certain ratios to local school boards","url":"\/22.1-70.1\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-70.1","metadata":false},{"id":62812,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-70.2","catch_line":"Acceptable Internet use policies for public and private schools","url":"\/22.1-70.2\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-70.2","metadata":false},{"id":68151,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-70.3","catch_line":"(Expires July 1, 2028) Designation of teacher shortage areas","url":"\/22.1-70.3\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-70.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":79371,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-70.1","catch_line":"Reports of certain ratios to local school boards","url":"\/22.1-70.1\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-70.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68151,"structure_id":15158,"section_number":"22.1-70.3","catch_line":"(Expires July 1, 2028) Designation of teacher shortage areas","url":"\/22.1-70.3\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-70.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/22.1-70.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1999. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 64<\/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, chapter 269<\/a>; in 2006, chapters 52<\/a> and 474<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 61<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":71986,"section_number":"22.1-24.2","catch_line":"(Expires July 1, 2026) Internet Safety Advisory Council","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-24.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":81551,"section_number":"18.2-372","catch_line":"\"Obscene\" defined","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-372\/"},{"id":63653,"section_number":"18.2-374.1:1","catch_line":"Possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-374.1_1\/"},{"id":80691,"section_number":"18.2-390","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-390\/"},{"id":59824,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:7","catch_line":"Standard 7. School board policies","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-253.13_7\/"},{"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\/"}],"permalink":{"id":184087,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62812,"identifier":"22.1-70.2","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-70.2","url":"\/22.1-70.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-70.2\/","token":"22.1\/6\/22.1-70.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Acceptable Internet use policies for public and private schools","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-70.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every two years, each local school board<\/span> shall review, amend<\/span> if necessary, and approve the school division’s acceptable use policy for the Internet. At a minimum, the policy shall contain provisions that (i) are designed to prohibit use by division employees and students of the division’s computer equipment and communications services for sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading illegal material<\/span> via the Internet; (ii) seek to prevent access by students to material<\/span> that the school division deems to be harmful to juveniles as defined in § 18.2-390<\/a>; (iii) select a technology for the division’s computers having Internet access to filter or block Internet access through such computers to child pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.1:1<\/a> and obscenity as defined in § 18.2-372<\/a>; (iv) establish appropriate measures to be taken against persons who violate the policy; and (v) include a component on Internet safety for students that is integrated in a division’s instructional program. The policy may include such other terms, conditions, and requirements as deemed appropriate, such as requiring written parental authorization for Internet use by juveniles or differentiating acceptable uses among elementary<\/span>, middle, and high school students.\n\t\t\tEach school division’s policy shall be posted on its website in accordance with § 22.1-253.13:7<\/a>. Additionally, each local school division shall certify compliance with these requirements annually to the Department<\/span> of Education. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The superintendent<\/span> shall take such steps as he deems appropriate to implement and enforce the division’s policy. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In addition to the foregoing requirements regarding public school Internet use policies, the principal or other chief administrator of any private school that satisfies the compulsory school attendance law<\/span> pursuant to § 22.1-254<\/a> and accepts federal funds for Internet access shall select a technology for its computers having Internet access to filter or block Internet access through such computers to child pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.1:1<\/a> and obscenity as defined in § 18.2-372<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Superintendent<\/span> of Public Instruction shall issue<\/span> guidelines to school divisions regarding instructional programs related to Internet safety. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nACCEPTABLE INTERNET USE POLICIES FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS (\u00a7 22.1-70.2)\n\nA. Every two years, each local school board shall review, amend if necessary,\nand approve the school division’s acceptable use policy for the Internet.\nAt a minimum, the policy shall contain provisions that (i) are designed to\nprohibit use by division employees and students of the division’s computer\nequipment and communications services for sending, receiving, viewing, or\ndownloading illegal material via the Internet; (ii) seek to prevent access by\nstudents to material that the school division deems to be harmful to juveniles\nas defined in § 18.2-390; (iii) select a technology for the\ndivision’s computers having Internet access to filter or block Internet\naccess through such computers to child pornography as set out in §\n18.2-374.1:1 and obscenity as defined in § 18.2-372; (iv) establish\nappropriate measures to be taken against persons who violate the policy; and (v)\ninclude a component on Internet safety for students that is integrated in a\ndivision’s instructional program. The policy may include such other terms,\nconditions, and requirements as deemed appropriate, such as requiring written\nparental authorization for Internet use by juveniles or differentiating\nacceptable uses among elementary, middle, and high school students.\n\t\t\tEach school division’s policy shall be posted on its website in\naccordance with § 22.1-253.13:7. Additionally, each local school division\nshall certify compliance with these requirements annually to the Department of\nEducation.\n\nB. The superintendent shall take such steps as he deems appropriate to implement\nand enforce the division’s policy.\n\nC. In addition to the foregoing requirements regarding public school Internet\nuse policies, the principal or other chief administrator of any private school\nthat satisfies the compulsory school attendance law pursuant to § 22.1-254\nand accepts federal funds for Internet access shall select a technology for its\ncomputers having Internet access to filter or block Internet access through such\ncomputers to child pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.1:1 and obscenity\nas defined in § 18.2-372.\n\nD. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall issue guidelines to school\ndivisions regarding instructional programs related to Internet safety.\n\nHISTORY: 1999, c. 64; 2001, c. 269; 2006, cc. 52, 474; 2010, c. 61.","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}}