{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/23.1-104.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/23.1-104.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/23.1-104.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/23.1-104.html"}],"law_id":76250,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76250,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-104","catch_line":"Disposition of lost or abandoned property","history":"1981, c. 517, \u00a7 23-4.2; 1982, c. 210; 2016, c. 588.","full_text":"A\n\nThe governing board of each public institution of higher education and each accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education may provide by regulation or institution policy for the care, restitution, sale, destruction, or disposal of unclaimed personal property, whether lost or abandoned, in the possession of the institution. Whenever procedures in accordance with such regulations or institution policies and this section are followed and ownership cannot be established with respect to certain property, neither the institution nor any of its agents or employees is liable to any person claiming any interest in the property.B\n\nIn the case of tangible personal property, other than registered motor vehicles, lost or abandoned at a public institution of higher education or accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education:1\n\nThe institution, upon receipt of such property, shall make reasonable efforts to give notice that the property has been found to any person that the institution determines to reasonably appear to be the owner. The institution shall hold such property for at least 120 days. The institution shall allow a claim upon satisfactory proof of such claim and payment of the institution’s reasonable charges for storage or other services necessary to preserve the property.2\n\nAfter the 120-day period, the institution may sell the property to the highest bidder at public auction or by sealed bid at whatever location that the institution reasonably determines to afford the most favorable market for the property. The institution may decline the highest bid and reoffer the property for sale if it considers the price bid insufficient. The net proceeds of any such sale shall be held for at least 90 days and if no claim is made on the property within that time, such funds shall be credited to the institution’s operating fund. If the institution determines that the probable cost of sale of property will exceed the sale proceeds, the property is inherently dangerous, or the property may not lawfully be sold or used, the institution may provide for any such property, as appropriate under the circumstances, to be destroyed or discarded at an appropriate location, retained for use by the institution, or donated to an appropriate charitable organization.3\n\nAny sale pursuant to this subsection shall be preceded by reasonable notice of the sale, taking into consideration the type and value of property. Such notice shall include at minimum the posting on a student bulletin board and publication in a school newspaper. The institution, by the same time, shall mail notice of the sale to the last known address of any person that the institution determines to reasonably appear to be the owner.C\n\nWhenever a motor vehicle is lost or abandoned on the campus of any public institution of higher education or accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education that is located in a locality that has adopted an ordinance as provided in Chapter 12 (§ 46.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 46.2, such motor vehicle shall be disposed of as provided in that ordinance. Notwithstanding any provisions of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2, the proceeds of any sale of a motor vehicle lost or abandoned on institutional property shall be credited to the institution’s operating fund after the 90-day holding period. The governing board of a public institution of higher education that has a campus or part of a campus in a locality that has not adopted such an ordinance may adopt regulations dealing with motor vehicles abandoned on such campus or such part of the campus. Such regulations shall comply with all provisions of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2 and have the same legal effect as though the institution is a political subdivision as defined in that chapter and the regulation is an ordinance. The proceeds from any sale resulting from such regulations shall be held for at least 90 days and if no claim to the motor vehicle is made within that time, such funds shall be credited to the institution’s operating fund.D\n\nWhenever any intangible personal property is believed to be lost or abandoned on the campus of a public institution of higher education, it shall be administered as provided in Article 3 (§ 55.1-2524 et seq.) of Chapter 25 of Title 55.1.E\n\nWhenever any personal property, tangible or intangible, has been accepted for safekeeping during a patient’s stay by any hospital operated by a public institution of higher education and such property is believed by the appropriately designated official to be lost or abandoned, it shall be administered as provided in Article 3 (§ 55.1-2524 et seq.) of Chapter 25 of Title 55.1.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":273763,"text":"The governing board of each public institution of higher education and each accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education may provide by regulation or institution policy for the care, restitution, sale, destruction, or disposal of unclaimed personal property, whether lost or abandoned, in the possession of the institution. Whenever procedures in accordance with such regulations or institution policies and this section are followed and ownership cannot be established with respect to certain property, neither the institution nor any of its agents or employees is liable to any person claiming any interest in the property.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":273764,"text":"In the case of tangible personal property, other than registered motor vehicles, lost or abandoned at a public institution of higher education or accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":273765,"text":"The institution, upon receipt of such property, shall make reasonable efforts to give notice that the property has been found to any person that the institution determines to reasonably appear to be the owner. The institution shall hold such property for at least 120 days. The institution shall allow a claim upon satisfactory proof of such claim and payment of the institution’s reasonable charges for storage or other services necessary to preserve the property.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":273766,"text":"After the 120-day period, the institution may sell the property to the highest bidder at public auction or by sealed bid at whatever location that the institution reasonably determines to afford the most favorable market for the property. The institution may decline the highest bid and reoffer the property for sale if it considers the price bid insufficient. The net proceeds of any such sale shall be held for at least 90 days and if no claim is made on the property within that time, such funds shall be credited to the institution’s operating fund. If the institution determines that the probable cost of sale of property will exceed the sale proceeds, the property is inherently dangerous, or the property may not lawfully be sold or used, the institution may provide for any such property, as appropriate under the circumstances, to be destroyed or discarded at an appropriate location, retained for use by the institution, or donated to an appropriate charitable organization.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":273767,"text":"Any sale pursuant to this subsection shall be preceded by reasonable notice of the sale, taking into consideration the type and value of property. Such notice shall include at minimum the posting on a student bulletin board and publication in a school newspaper. The institution, by the same time, shall mail notice of the sale to the last known address of any person that the institution determines to reasonably appear to be the owner.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":273768,"text":"Whenever a motor vehicle is lost or abandoned on the campus of any public institution of higher education or accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education that is located in a locality that has adopted an ordinance as provided in Chapter 12 (§ 46.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 46.2, such motor vehicle shall be disposed of as provided in that ordinance. Notwithstanding any provisions of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2, the proceeds of any sale of a motor vehicle lost or abandoned on institutional property shall be credited to the institution’s operating fund after the 90-day holding period. The governing board of a public institution of higher education that has a campus or part of a campus in a locality that has not adopted such an ordinance may adopt regulations dealing with motor vehicles abandoned on such campus or such part of the campus. Such regulations shall comply with all provisions of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2 and have the same legal effect as though the institution is a political subdivision as defined in that chapter and the regulation is an ordinance. The proceeds from any sale resulting from such regulations shall be held for at least 90 days and if no claim to the motor vehicle is made within that time, such funds shall be credited to the institution’s operating fund.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":273769,"text":"Whenever any intangible personal property is believed to be lost or abandoned on the campus of a public institution of higher education, it shall be administered as provided in Article 3 (§ 55.1-2524 et seq.) of Chapter 25 of Title 55.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":273770,"text":"Whenever any personal property, tangible or intangible, has been accepted for safekeeping during a patient’s stay by any hospital operated by a public institution of higher education and such property is believed by the appropriately designated official to be lost or abandoned, it shall be administered as provided in Article 3 (§ 55.1-2524 et seq.) of Chapter 25 of Title 55.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13395,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13394,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:47","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:47","permalink":{"id":184593,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13395,"identifier":"2","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2","url":"\/23.1\/I\/1\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13394,"edition_id":1,"name":"Definitions and General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13393,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:47","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:47","permalink":{"id":184585,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13394,"identifier":"1","token":"23.1\/I\/1","url":"\/23.1\/I\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13393,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13111,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:47","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:47","permalink":{"id":184583,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13393,"identifier":"I","token":"23.1\/I","url":"\/23.1\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13111,"edition_id":1,"name":"Institutions of Higher Education; Other Educational and Cultural Institutions","identifier":"23.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:18","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:18","permalink":{"id":184581,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13111,"identifier":"23.1","token":"23.1","url":"\/23.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84777,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-101","catch_line":"Endowment funds of public institutions of higher education","url":"\/23.1-101\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-101","metadata":false},{"id":77600,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-102","catch_line":"Chief executive officer of each public institution of higher education; duties","url":"\/23.1-102\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-102","metadata":false},{"id":54364,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-102.1","catch_line":"Executive officers; salaries","url":"\/23.1-102.1\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-102.1","metadata":false},{"id":83553,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-103","catch_line":"Localities; conveyance of property and appropriation of funds to Commonwealth for certain educational purposes","url":"\/23.1-103\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-103","metadata":false},{"id":76250,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-104","catch_line":"Disposition of lost or abandoned property","url":"\/23.1-104\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-104","metadata":false},{"id":62159,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-105","catch_line":"Contracts with certain nonprofit private institutions of higher education","url":"\/23.1-105\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-105","metadata":false},{"id":61233,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-106","catch_line":"Formation of not-for-profit benefits consortium","url":"\/23.1-106\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-106","metadata":false},{"id":68499,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-107","catch_line":"Private institutions of higher education; human research review committees","url":"\/23.1-107\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-107","metadata":false},{"id":72038,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-108","catch_line":"Foundations; annual reporting requirements","url":"\/23.1-108\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-108","metadata":false},{"id":70104,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-109","catch_line":"Public-private partnerships; wind and solar power","url":"\/23.1-109\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-109","metadata":false},{"id":57349,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-110","catch_line":"Medical schools to report information concerning fourth-year medical students to the Department of Health; Eligible Health Care Provider Reserve Directory","url":"\/23.1-110\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-110","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83553,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-103","catch_line":"Localities; conveyance of property and appropriation of funds to Commonwealth for certain educational purposes","url":"\/23.1-103\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-103","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":62159,"structure_id":13395,"section_number":"23.1-105","catch_line":"Contracts with certain nonprofit private institutions of higher education","url":"\/23.1-105\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-105","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/23.1-104\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1981. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 517 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 1981 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1982, chapter 210; in 2016, chapter 588<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56640,"section_number":"23.1-1006","catch_line":"Management agreement; contents and scope","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1006\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":61628,"section_number":"46.2-1200","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1200\/"},{"id":53937,"section_number":"55.1-2524","catch_line":"Report and remittance to be made by holder of funds or property presumed abandoned; holder to exercise due diligence to locate owner","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-2524\/"}],"permalink":{"id":184611,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76250,"identifier":"23.1-104","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-104","url":"\/23.1-104\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/23.1-104\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/2\/23.1-104","dublin_core":{"Title":"Disposition of lost or abandoned property","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 23.1-104","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The governing board<\/span> of each public institution of higher education<\/span> and each accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education<\/span><\/span> may provide by regulation or institution policy for the care, restitution<\/span>, sale, destruction, or disposal of unclaimed personal property, whether lost or abandoned, in the possession<\/span> of the institution. Whenever procedures in accordance with such regulations or institution policies and this section are followed and ownership cannot be established with respect to certain property, neither the institution nor any of its agents or employees is liable to any person claiming any interest in the property. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In the case of tangible personal property, other than registered motor vehicles, lost or abandoned at a public institution of higher education<\/span> or accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education<\/span><\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The institution, upon receipt of such property, shall make reasonable efforts to give notice that the property has been found to any person that the institution determines to reasonably appear to be the owner. The institution shall hold such property for at least 120 days. The institution shall allow a claim upon satisfactory proof of such claim and payment of the institution’s reasonable charges for storage or other services necessary to preserve the property. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> After the 120-day period, the institution may sell the property to the highest bidder at public auction or by sealed<\/span> bid at whatever location that the institution reasonably determines to afford the most favorable market for the property. The institution may decline the highest bid and reoffer the property for sale if it considers the price bid insufficient. The net proceeds of any such sale shall be held for at least 90 days and if no claim is made on the property within that time, such funds shall be credited to the institution’s operating fund. If the institution determines that the probable cost of sale of property will exceed the sale proceeds, the property is inherently dangerous, or the property may not lawfully be sold or used, the institution may provide for any such property, as appropriate under the circumstances, to be destroyed or discarded at an appropriate location, retained for use by the institution, or donated to an appropriate charitable organization. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Any sale pursuant to this subsection shall be preceded by reasonable notice of the sale, taking into consideration the type and value of property. Such notice shall include at minimum the posting on a student bulletin board and publication in a school newspaper. The institution, by the same time, shall mail notice of the sale to the last known address of any person that the institution determines to reasonably appear to be the owner. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Whenever a motor vehicle is lost or abandoned on the campus of any public institution of higher education<\/span> or accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education<\/span><\/span> that is located in a locality that has adopted an ordinance<\/span> as provided in Chapter 12 (§ 46.2-1200<\/a> et seq.) of Title 46.2, such motor vehicle shall be disposed of as provided in that ordinance<\/span>. Notwithstanding any provisions of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2, the proceeds of any sale of a motor vehicle lost or abandoned on institutional property shall be credited to the institution’s operating fund after the 90-day holding period. The governing board<\/span> of a public institution of higher education<\/span> that has a campus or part of a campus in a locality that has not adopted such an ordinance<\/span> may adopt regulations dealing with motor vehicles abandoned on such campus or such part of the campus. Such regulations shall comply with all provisions of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2 and have the same legal effect as though the institution is a political subdivision as defined in that chapter and the regulation is an ordinance<\/span>. The proceeds from any sale resulting from such regulations shall be held for at least 90 days and if no claim to the motor vehicle is made within that time, such funds shall be credited to the institution’s operating fund. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Whenever any intangible personal property is believed to be lost or abandoned on the campus of a public institution of higher education<\/span>, it shall be administered as provided in Article 3 (§ 55.1-2524<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 25 of Title 55.1. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Whenever any personal property, tangible or intangible, has been accepted for safekeeping during a patient’s stay<\/span> by any hospital operated by a public institution of higher education<\/span> and such property is believed by the appropriately designated official to be lost or abandoned, it shall be administered as provided in Article 3 (§ 55.1-2524<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 25 of Title 55.1. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDISPOSITION OF LOST OR ABANDONED PROPERTY (\u00a7 23.1-104)\n\nA. The governing board of each public institution of higher education and each\naccredited nonprofit private institution of higher education may provide by\nregulation or institution policy for the care, restitution, sale, destruction,\nor disposal of unclaimed personal property, whether lost or abandoned, in the\npossession of the institution. Whenever procedures in accordance with such\nregulations or institution policies and this section are followed and ownership\ncannot be established with respect to certain property, neither the institution\nnor any of its agents or employees is liable to any person claiming any interest\nin the property.\n\nB. In the case of tangible personal property, other than registered motor\nvehicles, lost or abandoned at a public institution of higher education or\naccredited nonprofit private institution of higher education:\n\n 1. The institution, upon receipt of such property, shall make reasonable\n efforts to give notice that the property has been found to any person that the\n institution determines to reasonably appear to be the owner. The institution\n shall hold such property for at least 120 days. The institution shall allow a\n claim upon satisfactory proof of such claim and payment of the\n institution’s reasonable charges for storage or other services necessary\n to preserve the property.\n\n 2. After the 120-day period, the institution may sell the property to the\n highest bidder at public auction or by sealed bid at whatever location that\n the institution reasonably determines to afford the most favorable market for\n the property. The institution may decline the highest bid and reoffer the\n property for sale if it considers the price bid insufficient. The net proceeds\n of any such sale shall be held for at least 90 days and if no claim is made on\n the property within that time, such funds shall be credited to the\n institution’s operating fund. If the institution determines that the\n probable cost of sale of property will exceed the sale proceeds, the property\n is inherently dangerous, or the property may not lawfully be sold or used, the\n institution may provide for any such property, as appropriate under the\n circumstances, to be destroyed or discarded at an appropriate location,\n retained for use by the institution, or donated to an appropriate charitable\n organization.\n\n 3. Any sale pursuant to this subsection shall be preceded by reasonable notice\n of the sale, taking into consideration the type and value of property. Such\n notice shall include at minimum the posting on a student bulletin board and\n publication in a school newspaper. The institution, by the same time, shall\n mail notice of the sale to the last known address of any person that the\n institution determines to reasonably appear to be the owner.\n\nC. Whenever a motor vehicle is lost or abandoned on the campus of any public\ninstitution of higher education or accredited nonprofit private institution of\nhigher education that is located in a locality that has adopted an ordinance as\nprovided in Chapter 12 (§ 46.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 46.2, such motor\nvehicle shall be disposed of as provided in that ordinance. Notwithstanding any\nprovisions of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2, the proceeds of any sale of a motor\nvehicle lost or abandoned on institutional property shall be credited to the\ninstitution’s operating fund after the 90-day holding period. The\ngoverning board of a public institution of higher education that has a campus or\npart of a campus in a locality that has not adopted such an ordinance may adopt\nregulations dealing with motor vehicles abandoned on such campus or such part of\nthe campus. Such regulations shall comply with all provisions of Chapter 12 of\nTitle 46.2 and have the same legal effect as though the institution is a\npolitical subdivision as defined in that chapter and the regulation is an\nordinance. The proceeds from any sale resulting from such regulations shall be\nheld for at least 90 days and if no claim to the motor vehicle is made within\nthat time, such funds shall be credited to the institution’s operating\nfund.\n\nD. Whenever any intangible personal property is believed to be lost or abandoned\non the campus of a public institution of higher education, it shall be\nadministered as provided in Article 3 (§ 55.1-2524 et seq.) of Chapter 25\nof Title 55.1.\n\nE. Whenever any personal property, tangible or intangible, has been accepted for\nsafekeeping during a patient’s stay by any hospital operated by a public\ninstitution of higher education and such property is believed by the\nappropriately designated official to be lost or abandoned, it shall be\nadministered as provided in Article 3 (§ 55.1-2524 et seq.) of Chapter 25\nof Title 55.1.\n\nHISTORY: 1981, c. 517, \u00a7 23-4.2; 1982, c. 210; 2016, c. 588.","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}}