{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/65.2-201.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/65.2-201.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/65.2-201.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/65.2-201.html"}],"law_id":82738,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82738,"structure_id":15344,"section_number":"65.2-201","catch_line":"General duties and powers of the Commission","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 65-10, 65-14, 65-16, 65-19; 1952, c. 14; 1962, c. 339; 1968, c. 660, \u00a7\u00a7 65.1-11, 65.1-18, 65.1-22; 1983, c. 102; 1991, c. 355; 2004, c. 178; 2012, c. 588; 2018, c. 250.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be the duty of the Commission to administer this title and adjudicate issues and controversies relating thereto. In all matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission, it shall have the power of a court of record to administer oath, to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, to punish for contempt, to appoint guardians pursuant to Part C (§ 64.2-1700 et seq.) of Subtitle IV of Title 64.2, and to enforce compliance with its lawful orders and awards. The Commission shall make rules and regulations for carrying out the provisions of this title.B\n\nThe Commission may appoint deputies, bailiffs, and such other personnel as it may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title.C\n\nThe Commission or any member thereof or any person deputized by it may for the purposes of this title subpoena witnesses, administer or cause to be administered oaths, and examine or cause to be examined such parts of the books and records of the parties to a proceeding as relate to questions in dispute arising in instances in which the Commission has power to award compensation. This authority shall extend to requests from like agencies of other states who honor similar requests from the Commission.D\n\nThe Commission shall publish and, upon request, furnish free of charge, such blank forms and literature as it shall deem requisite to facilitate or promote the efficient administration of this title. The Commission shall publish a workers’ compensation guide for employees which informs an injured employee of his rights under this title. If the Commission receives notice of an accident, it shall provide a workers’ compensation guide to the employee.E\n\nA majority of the commissioners, including any deputy commissioner appointed or retired commissioner recalled pursuant to subsection D of § 65.2-705, shall constitute a quorum for the exercise of judicial, legislative, and discretionary functions of the Commission, whether there is a vacancy in the Commission or not, but a quorum shall not be necessary for the exercise of its administrative functions.F\n\nThe Commission shall tabulate the accident reports received from employers in accordance with § 65.2-900 and shall publish the same in the annual report of the Commission and as often as it may deem advisable, in such detailed or aggregate form as it may deem best. The name of the employer or employee shall not appear in such publications, and the employers’ reports shall be private records of the Commission and shall not be open for public inspection except for the inspection by the parties directly involved, and only to the extent of such interest. These reports shall not be used as evidence against any employer in any suit at law brought by any employee for the recovery of damages.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":296402,"text":"It shall be the duty of the Commission to administer this title and adjudicate issues and controversies relating thereto. In all matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission, it shall have the power of a court of record to administer oath, to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, to punish for contempt, to appoint guardians pursuant to Part C (§ 64.2-1700 et seq.) of Subtitle IV of Title 64.2, and to enforce compliance with its lawful orders and awards. The Commission shall make rules and regulations for carrying out the provisions of this title.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":296403,"text":"The Commission may appoint deputies, bailiffs, and such other personnel as it may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":296404,"text":"The Commission or any member thereof or any person deputized by it may for the purposes of this title subpoena witnesses, administer or cause to be administered oaths, and examine or cause to be examined such parts of the books and records of the parties to a proceeding as relate to questions in dispute arising in instances in which the Commission has power to award compensation. This authority shall extend to requests from like agencies of other states who honor similar requests from the Commission.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":296405,"text":"The Commission shall publish and, upon request, furnish free of charge, such blank forms and literature as it shall deem requisite to facilitate or promote the efficient administration of this title. The Commission shall publish a workers’ compensation guide for employees which informs an injured employee of his rights under this title. If the Commission receives notice of an accident, it shall provide a workers’ compensation guide to the employee.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":296406,"text":"A majority of the commissioners, including any deputy commissioner appointed or retired commissioner recalled pursuant to subsection D of § 65.2-705, shall constitute a quorum for the exercise of judicial, legislative, and discretionary functions of the Commission, whether there is a vacancy in the Commission or not, but a quorum shall not be necessary for the exercise of its administrative functions.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":296407,"text":"The Commission shall tabulate the accident reports received from employers in accordance with § 65.2-900 and shall publish the same in the annual report of the Commission and as often as it may deem advisable, in such detailed or aggregate form as it may deem best. The name of the employer or employee shall not appear in such publications, and the employers’ reports shall be private records of the Commission and shall not be open for public inspection except for the inspection by the parties directly involved, and only to the extent of such interest. These reports shall not be used as evidence against any employer in any suit at law brought by any employee for the recovery of damages.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15344,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13199,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:54:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:54:05","permalink":{"id":276259,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15344,"identifier":"2","token":"65.2\/2","url":"\/65.2\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13199,"edition_id":1,"name":"Workers' Compensation","identifier":"65.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:26","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:26","permalink":{"id":276115,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13199,"identifier":"65.2","token":"65.2","url":"\/65.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":58394,"structure_id":15344,"section_number":"65.2-200","catch_line":"Industrial Commission continued as the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission; number, election and terms of members; vacancies; Chairman; members to devote entire time to office","url":"\/65.2-200\/","token":"65.2\/2\/65.2-200","metadata":false},{"id":82738,"structure_id":15344,"section_number":"65.2-201","catch_line":"General duties and powers of the Commission","url":"\/65.2-201\/","token":"65.2\/2\/65.2-201","metadata":false},{"id":78650,"structure_id":15344,"section_number":"65.2-202","catch_line":"Subpoena powers of the Commission; production of records and papers","url":"\/65.2-202\/","token":"65.2\/2\/65.2-202","metadata":false},{"id":83413,"structure_id":15344,"section_number":"65.2-203","catch_line":"Powers and duties of deputy commissioners and bailiffs","url":"\/65.2-203\/","token":"65.2\/2\/65.2-203","metadata":false},{"id":61012,"structure_id":15344,"section_number":"65.2-204","catch_line":"Administrative provisions: offices, meetings, travel, salary, and expenses","url":"\/65.2-204\/","token":"65.2\/2\/65.2-204","metadata":false},{"id":80386,"structure_id":15344,"section_number":"65.2-205","catch_line":"Ombudsman program; confidentiality","url":"\/65.2-205\/","token":"65.2\/2\/65.2-205","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":58394,"structure_id":15344,"section_number":"65.2-200","catch_line":"Industrial Commission continued as the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission; number, election and terms of members; vacancies; Chairman; members to devote entire time to office","url":"\/65.2-200\/","token":"65.2\/2\/65.2-200","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":78650,"structure_id":15344,"section_number":"65.2-202","catch_line":"Subpoena powers of the Commission; production of records and papers","url":"\/65.2-202\/","token":"65.2\/2\/65.2-202","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/65.2-201\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1952, chapter 14; in 1962, chapter 339; in 1968, chapter 660; in 1983, chapter 102; in 1991, chapter 355; in 2004, chapter 178<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 588<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 250<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":78729,"section_number":"2.2-4006","catch_line":"Exemptions from requirements of this article","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4006\/"},{"id":57586,"section_number":"2.2-4024","catch_line":"Hearing officers","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4024\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":67669,"section_number":"64.2-1700","catch_line":"Natural guardians","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-1700\/"},{"id":64198,"section_number":"65.2-705","catch_line":"Review of award; rehearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/65.2-705\/"},{"id":63922,"section_number":"65.2-900","catch_line":"Records and reports of accidents","order_by":null,"url":"\/65.2-900\/"}],"permalink":{"id":276265,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82738,"identifier":"65.2-201","token":"65.2\/2\/65.2-201","url":"\/65.2-201\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/65.2-201\/","token":"65.2\/2\/65.2-201","dublin_core":{"Title":"General duties and powers of the Commission","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 65.2-201","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be the duty of the Commission<\/span> to administer this title and adjudicate<\/span> issues<\/span> and controversies relating thereto. In all matters within the jurisdiction<\/span> of the Commission<\/span>, it shall have the power of a court<\/span> of record to administer oath<\/span>, to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, to punish for contempt<\/span>, to appoint guardians pursuant to Part C (§ 64.2-1700<\/a> et seq.) of Subtitle IV of Title 64.2, and to enforce compliance with its lawful orders<\/span> and awards<\/span>. The Commission<\/span> shall make rules and regulations for carrying out the provisions of this title. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Commission<\/span> may appoint deputies, bailiffs<\/span>, and such other personnel as it may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Commission<\/span> or any member thereof or any person deputized by it may for the purposes of this title subpoena<\/span> witnesses, administer or cause to be administered oaths<\/span>, and examine or cause to be examined such parts of the books and records of the parties to a proceeding as relate to questions in dispute arising in instances in which the Commission<\/span> has power to award<\/span> compensation. This authority shall extend to requests from like agencies of other states who honor similar requests from the Commission<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Commission<\/span> shall publish and, upon request, furnish free of charge, such blank forms and literature as it shall deem requisite to facilitate or promote the efficient administration of this title. The Commission<\/span> shall publish a workers’ compensation guide for employees which informs an injured employee of his rights under this title. If the Commission<\/span> receives notice of an accident, it shall provide a workers’ compensation guide to the employee. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A majority of the commissioners, including any deputy commissioner appointed or retired commissioner recalled pursuant to subsection D of § 65.2-705<\/a>, shall constitute a quorum for the exercise of judicial, legislative, and discretionary functions of the Commission<\/span>, whether there is a vacancy in the Commission<\/span> or not, but a quorum shall not be necessary for the exercise of its administrative functions. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The Commission<\/span> shall tabulate the accident reports received from employers<\/span> in accordance with § 65.2-900<\/a> and shall publish the same in the annual report of the Commission<\/span> and as often as it may deem advisable, in such detailed or aggregate form as it may deem best. The name of the employer<\/span> or employee shall not appear in such publications, and the employers<\/span>’ reports shall be private records of the Commission<\/span> and shall not be open for public inspection except for the inspection by the parties directly involved, and only to the extent of such interest. These reports shall not be used as evidence<\/span> against any employer<\/span> in any suit at law<\/span> brought by any employee for the recovery of damages<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nGENERAL DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION (\u00a7 65.2-201)\n\nA. It shall be the duty of the Commission to administer this title and\nadjudicate issues and controversies relating thereto. In all matters within the\njurisdiction of the Commission, it shall have the power of a court of record to\nadminister oath, to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of\ndocuments, to punish for contempt, to appoint guardians pursuant to Part C\n(§ 64.2-1700 et seq.) of Subtitle IV of Title 64.2, and to enforce\ncompliance with its lawful orders and awards. The Commission shall make rules\nand regulations for carrying out the provisions of this title.\n\nB. The Commission may appoint deputies, bailiffs, and such other personnel as it\nmay deem necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title.\n\nC. The Commission or any member thereof or any person deputized by it may for\nthe purposes of this title subpoena witnesses, administer or cause to be\nadministered oaths, and examine or cause to be examined such parts of the books\nand records of the parties to a proceeding as relate to questions in dispute\narising in instances in which the Commission has power to award compensation.\nThis authority shall extend to requests from like agencies of other states who\nhonor similar requests from the Commission.\n\nD. The Commission shall publish and, upon request, furnish free of charge, such\nblank forms and literature as it shall deem requisite to facilitate or promote\nthe efficient administration of this title. The Commission shall publish a\nworkers’ compensation guide for employees which informs an injured\nemployee of his rights under this title. If the Commission receives notice of an\naccident, it shall provide a workers’ compensation guide to the employee.\n\nE. A majority of the commissioners, including any deputy commissioner appointed\nor retired commissioner recalled pursuant to subsection D of § 65.2-705,\nshall constitute a quorum for the exercise of judicial, legislative, and\ndiscretionary functions of the Commission, whether there is a vacancy in the\nCommission or not, but a quorum shall not be necessary for the exercise of its\nadministrative functions.\n\nF. The Commission shall tabulate the accident reports received from employers in\naccordance with § 65.2-900 and shall publish the same in the annual report\nof the Commission and as often as it may deem advisable, in such detailed or\naggregate form as it may deem best. The name of the employer or employee shall\nnot appear in such publications, and the employers’ reports shall be\nprivate records of the Commission and shall not be open for public inspection\nexcept for the inspection by the parties directly involved, and only to the\nextent of such interest. These reports shall not be used as evidence against any\nemployer in any suit at law brought by any employee for the recovery of damages.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 65-10, 65-14, 65-16, 65-19; 1952, c. 14; 1962, c. 339;\n1968, c. 660, \u00a7\u00a7 65.1-11, 65.1-18, 65.1-22; 1983, c. 102; 1991, c. 355; 2004,\nc. 178; 2012, c. 588; 2018, c. 250.","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}}