{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-581.16.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-581.16.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-581.16.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-581.16.html"}],"law_id":55726,"edition_id":1,"section_id":55726,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.16","catch_line":"Civil immunity for members of or consultants to certain boards or committees","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 8-654.9; 1976, c. 611; 1977, c. 617; 1981, c. 174; 1987, c. 713; 1989, c. 729; 1993, c. 702; 2001, c. 381; 2002, c. 675; 2006, c. 412; 2014, cc. 17, 320, 363; 2020, cc. 198, 1093; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 5, 243; 2024, cc. 96, 126; 2025, c. 183.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery member of, or health care professional consultant to, any committee, board, group, commission or other entity shall be immune from civil liability for any act, decision, omission, or utterance done or made in performance of his duties while serving as a member of or consultant to such committee, board, group, commission or other entity that functions primarily to review, evaluate, or make recommendations on (i) the duration of patient stays in health care facilities; (ii) the professional services furnished with respect to the medical, dental, psychological, podiatric, chiropractic, veterinary, or optometric necessity for such services; (iii) the purpose of promoting the most efficient use or monitoring the quality of care of available health care facilities and services, or of emergency medical services agencies and services; (iv) the adequacy or quality of professional services; (v) the competency and qualifications for professional staff privileges; (vi) the reasonableness or appropriateness of charges made by or on behalf of health care facilities; (vii) patient safety, including entering into contracts with patient safety organizations, provided that such committee, board, group, commission, or other entity has been established pursuant to federal or state law or regulation, the requirements of a national accrediting organization granted authority by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assure compliance with Medicare conditions of participation pursuant to § 1865 of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395bb), or guidelines approved or adopted by a statewide or local association representing health care providers licensed in the Commonwealth pursuant to clause (iii)(f) of subsection B of § 8.01-581.17, or established and duly constituted by one or more public or licensed private hospitals, health systems, community services boards, or behavioral health authorities, or with a governmental agency, and provided further that such act, decision, omission, or utterance is not done or made in bad faith or with malicious intent.B\n\nEvery member of, or health care professional consultant to, any committee, board, group, commission, or other entity that functions primarily to (i) review, evaluate, or make recommendations on a professional program to address issues related to career fatigue and wellness or (ii) arrange for or provide outpatient health care related to career fatigue and wellness for (a) health care professionals licensed, registered, or certified by a board of the Department of Health Professions as enumerated by § 54.1-2503 or (b) students enrolled in a graduate school or professional program, the completion of which is a prerequisite for licensure, registration, or certification by a board of the Department of Health Professions, located in the Commonwealth, that is established or contracted for by a statewide association, that is exempt under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that primarily represents health care professionals licensed to practice dentistry, dental hygiene, medicine, or osteopathic medicine in multiple specialties, shall be immune from civil liability for any act, decision, omission, or utterance done or made in performance of his duties while serving as a member of or consultant to such committee, board, group, commission, or other entity. No active participant in a professional program described in this subsection shall be employed or engaged by such professional program or have a financial ownership interest in such professional program.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":204244,"text":"Every member of, or health care professional consultant to, any committee, board, group, commission or other entity shall be immune from civil liability for any act, decision, omission, or utterance done or made in performance of his duties while serving as a member of or consultant to such committee, board, group, commission or other entity that functions primarily to review, evaluate, or make recommendations on (i) the duration of patient stays in health care facilities; (ii) the professional services furnished with respect to the medical, dental, psychological, podiatric, chiropractic, veterinary, or optometric necessity for such services; (iii) the purpose of promoting the most efficient use or monitoring the quality of care of available health care facilities and services, or of emergency medical services agencies and services; (iv) the adequacy or quality of professional services; (v) the competency and qualifications for professional staff privileges; (vi) the reasonableness or appropriateness of charges made by or on behalf of health care facilities; (vii) patient safety, including entering into contracts with patient safety organizations, provided that such committee, board, group, commission, or other entity has been established pursuant to federal or state law or regulation, the requirements of a national accrediting organization granted authority by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assure compliance with Medicare conditions of participation pursuant to § 1865 of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395bb), or guidelines approved or adopted by a statewide or local association representing health care providers licensed in the Commonwealth pursuant to clause (iii)(f) of subsection B of § 8.01-581.17, or established and duly constituted by one or more public or licensed private hospitals, health systems, community services boards, or behavioral health authorities, or with a governmental agency, and provided further that such act, decision, omission, or utterance is not done or made in bad faith or with malicious intent.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":204245,"text":"Every member of, or health care professional consultant to, any committee, board, group, commission, or other entity that functions primarily to (i) review, evaluate, or make recommendations on a professional program to address issues related to career fatigue and wellness or (ii) arrange for or provide outpatient health care related to career fatigue and wellness for (a) health care professionals licensed, registered, or certified by a board of the Department of Health Professions as enumerated by § 54.1-2503 or (b) students enrolled in a graduate school or professional program, the completion of which is a prerequisite for licensure, registration, or certification by a board of the Department of Health Professions, located in the Commonwealth, that is established or contracted for by a statewide association, that is exempt under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that primarily represents health care professionals licensed to practice dentistry, dental hygiene, medicine, or osteopathic medicine in multiple specialties, shall be immune from civil liability for any act, decision, omission, or utterance done or made in performance of his duties while serving as a member of or consultant to such committee, board, group, commission, or other entity. No active participant in a professional program described in this subsection shall be employed or engaged by such professional program or have a financial ownership interest in such professional program.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14388,"edition_id":1,"name":"Miscellaneous Provisions","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14387,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","permalink":{"id":278979,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14388,"identifier":"2","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2","url":"\/8.01\/21.1\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14387,"edition_id":1,"name":"Medical Malpractice","identifier":"21.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","permalink":{"id":278895,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14387,"identifier":"21.1","token":"8.01\/21.1","url":"\/8.01\/21.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12747,"edition_id":1,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":277029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12747,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59392,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.13","catch_line":"Civil immunity for certain health professionals and health profession students serving as members of certain entities","url":"\/8.01-581.13\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.13","metadata":false},{"id":60855,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.14","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/8.01-581.14\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.14","metadata":false},{"id":66555,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.15","catch_line":"Limitation on recovery in certain medical malpractice actions","url":"\/8.01-581.15\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.15","metadata":false},{"id":55726,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.16","catch_line":"Civil immunity for members of or consultants to certain boards or committees","url":"\/8.01-581.16\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.16","metadata":false},{"id":75226,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.17","catch_line":"Privileged communications of certain committees and entities","url":"\/8.01-581.17\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.17","metadata":false},{"id":57108,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.18","catch_line":"Delivery of results of laboratory tests and other examinations not authorized by physician","url":"\/8.01-581.18\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.18","metadata":false},{"id":57097,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.18:1","catch_line":"Immunity of physicians for laboratory results and examinations","url":"\/8.01-581.18_1\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.18_1","metadata":false},{"id":71346,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.19","catch_line":"Civil immunity for physicians, psychologists, podiatrists, optometrists, veterinarians, nursing home administrators, and certified emergency medical services providers while members of certain committees","url":"\/8.01-581.19\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.19","metadata":false},{"id":59744,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.19:1","catch_line":"Civil immunity for persons providing information to certain committees","url":"\/8.01-581.19_1\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.19_1","metadata":false},{"id":75087,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.20","catch_line":"Standard of care in proceeding before medical malpractice review panel; expert testimony; determination of standard in action for damages","url":"\/8.01-581.20\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.20","metadata":false},{"id":57136,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.20:1","catch_line":"Admissibility of expressions of sympathy","url":"\/8.01-581.20_1\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.20_1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":66555,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.15","catch_line":"Limitation on recovery in certain medical malpractice actions","url":"\/8.01-581.15\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.15","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75226,"structure_id":14388,"section_number":"8.01-581.17","catch_line":"Privileged communications of certain committees and entities","url":"\/8.01-581.17\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.17","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-581.16\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 13 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 1976, chapter 611; in 1977, chapter 617; in 1981, chapter 174; in 1987, chapter 713; in 1989, chapter 729; in 1993, chapter 702; in 2001, chapter 381<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 675<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 412<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 17<\/a>, 320<\/a>, and 363<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 198<\/a> and 1093<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 96<\/a> and 126<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 183<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":58930,"section_number":"32.1-127.1:03","catch_line":"Health records privacy","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-127.1_03\/"},{"id":73543,"section_number":"37.2-203.1","catch_line":"Licensed provider; statement to prospective employer","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-203.1\/"},{"id":58137,"section_number":"54.1-2400.6","catch_line":"Hospitals, other health care institutions, home health and hospice organizations, and assisted living facilities required to report disciplinary actions against and certain disorders of health professionals; immunity from liability; failure to report","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2400.6\/"},{"id":86961,"section_number":"54.1-2909","catch_line":"Further reporting requirements; civil penalty; disciplinary action","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2909\/"},{"id":75226,"section_number":"8.01-581.17","catch_line":"Privileged communications of certain committees and entities","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-581.17\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55191,"section_number":"54.1-2503","catch_line":"Boards within Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2503\/"},{"id":75226,"section_number":"8.01-581.17","catch_line":"Privileged communications of certain committees and entities","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-581.17\/"}],"permalink":{"id":278993,"object_type":"law","relational_id":55726,"identifier":"8.01-581.16","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.16","url":"\/8.01-581.16\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-581.16\/","token":"8.01\/21.1\/2\/8.01-581.16","dublin_core":{"Title":"Civil immunity for members of or consultants to certain boards or committees","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-581.16","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every member of, or health care professional consultant to, any committee, board, group, commission or other entity shall be immune from civil liability for any act, decision, omission, or utterance done or made in performance of his duties while serving as a member of or consultant to such committee, board, group, commission or other entity that functions primarily to review, evaluate, or make recommendations on (i) the duration of patient<\/span> stays<\/span> in health care facilities; (ii) the professional services furnished with respect to the medical, dental, psychological, podiatric, chiropractic, veterinary, or optometric necessity for such services; (iii) the purpose of promoting the most efficient use or monitoring the quality of care of available health care facilities and services, or of emergency medical services agencies and services; (iv) the adequacy or quality of professional services; (v) the competency and qualifications for professional staff privileges<\/span>; (vi) the reasonableness or appropriateness of charges made by or on behalf of health care facilities; (vii) patient<\/span> safety, including entering into contracts<\/span> with patient<\/span> safety organizations, provided that such committee, board, group, commission, or other entity has been established pursuant to federal or state law<\/span> or regulation, the requirements of a national accrediting organization granted authority by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assure compliance with Medicare conditions of participation pursuant to § 1865 of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395bb), or guidelines approved or adopted by a statewide or local association representing health care providers<\/span> licensed in the Commonwealth pursuant to clause (iii)(f) of subsection B of § 8.01-581.17<\/a>, or established and duly constituted by one or more public or licensed private hospitals<\/span>, health systems, community services<\/span> boards, or behavioral health authorities, or with a governmental agency, and provided further that such act, decision, omission, or utterance is not done or made in bad faith or with malicious<\/span> intent<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Every member of, or health care professional consultant to, any committee, board, group, commission, or other entity that functions primarily to (i) review, evaluate, or make recommendations on a professional program to address issues<\/span> related to career fatigue and wellness or (ii) arrange for or provide outpatient health care related to career fatigue and wellness for (a) health care professionals licensed, registered, or certified by a board of the Department of Health Professions as enumerated by § 54.1-2503<\/a> or (b) students enrolled in a graduate school or professional program, the completion of which is a prerequisite for licensure, registration, or certification by a board of the Department of Health Professions, located in the Commonwealth, that is established or contracted for by a statewide association, that is exempt under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that primarily represents health care professionals licensed to practice dentistry, dental hygiene, medicine, or osteopathic medicine in multiple specialties, shall be immune from civil liability for any act, decision, omission, or utterance done or made in performance of his duties while serving as a member of or consultant to such committee, board, group, commission, or other entity. No active participant in a professional program described in this subsection shall be employed or engaged by such professional program or have a financial ownership interest in such professional program. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCIVIL IMMUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF OR CONSULTANTS TO CERTAIN BOARDS OR COMMITTEES (\u00a7\n8.01-581.16)\n\nA. Every member of, or health care professional consultant to, any committee,\nboard, group, commission or other entity shall be immune from civil liability\nfor any act, decision, omission, or utterance done or made in performance of his\nduties while serving as a member of or consultant to such committee, board,\ngroup, commission or other entity that functions primarily to review, evaluate,\nor make recommendations on (i) the duration of patient stays in health care\nfacilities; (ii) the professional services furnished with respect to the\nmedical, dental, psychological, podiatric, chiropractic, veterinary, or\noptometric necessity for such services; (iii) the purpose of promoting the most\nefficient use or monitoring the quality of care of available health care\nfacilities and services, or of emergency medical services agencies and services;\n(iv) the adequacy or quality of professional services; (v) the competency and\nqualifications for professional staff privileges; (vi) the reasonableness or\nappropriateness of charges made by or on behalf of health care facilities; (vii)\npatient safety, including entering into contracts with patient safety\norganizations, provided that such committee, board, group, commission, or other\nentity has been established pursuant to federal or state law or regulation, the\nrequirements of a national accrediting organization granted authority by the\nCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assure compliance with Medicare\nconditions of participation pursuant to § 1865 of Title XVIII of the Social\nSecurity Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395bb), or guidelines approved or adopted by a\nstatewide or local association representing health care providers licensed in\nthe Commonwealth pursuant to clause (iii)(f) of subsection B of §\n8.01-581.17, or established and duly constituted by one or more public or\nlicensed private hospitals, health systems, community services boards, or\nbehavioral health authorities, or with a governmental agency, and provided\nfurther that such act, decision, omission, or utterance is not done or made in\nbad faith or with malicious intent.\n\nB. Every member of, or health care professional consultant to, any committee,\nboard, group, commission, or other entity that functions primarily to (i)\nreview, evaluate, or make recommendations on a professional program to address\nissues related to career fatigue and wellness or (ii) arrange for or provide\noutpatient health care related to career fatigue and wellness for (a) health\ncare professionals licensed, registered, or certified by a board of the\nDepartment of Health Professions as enumerated by § 54.1-2503 or (b)\nstudents enrolled in a graduate school or professional program, the completion\nof which is a prerequisite for licensure, registration, or certification by a\nboard of the Department of Health Professions, located in the Commonwealth, that\nis established or contracted for by a statewide association, that is exempt\nunder 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that\nprimarily represents health care professionals licensed to practice dentistry,\ndental hygiene, medicine, or osteopathic medicine in multiple specialties, shall\nbe immune from civil liability for any act, decision, omission, or utterance\ndone or made in performance of his duties while serving as a member of or\nconsultant to such committee, board, group, commission, or other entity. No\nactive participant in a professional program described in this subsection shall\nbe employed or engaged by such professional program or have a financial\nownership interest in such professional program.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 8-654.9; 1976, c. 611; 1977, c. 617; 1981, c. 174; 1987,\nc. 713; 1989, c. 729; 1993, c. 702; 2001, c. 381; 2002, c. 675; 2006, c. 412;\n2014, cc. 17, 320, 363; 2020, cc. 198, 1093; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 5, 243;\n2024, cc. 96, 126; 2025, c. 183.","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}}