{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/9.1-153.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/9.1-153.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/9.1-153.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/9.1-153.html"}],"law_id":71015,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71015,"structure_id":15805,"section_number":"9.1-153","catch_line":"Volunteer court-appointed special advocates; powers and duties; assignment; qualifications; training","history":"1990, c. 752, \u00a7 9-173.8; 1994, cc. 700, 830; 1997, c. 606; 1999, c. 606; 2001, c. 844; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 177.","full_text":"A\n\nServices in each local court-appointed special advocate program shall be provided by volunteer court-appointed special advocates, hereinafter referred to as advocates. The advocate’s duties shall include:1\n\nInvestigating the case to which he is assigned to provide independent factual information to the court.2\n\nSubmitting to the court of a written report of his investigation in compliance with the provisions of § 16.1-274. The report may, upon request of the court, include recommendations as to the child’s welfare.3\n\nMonitoring the case to which he is assigned to ensure compliance with the court’s orders.4\n\nAssisting the guardian ad litem appointed to represent the child in providing effective representation of the child’s needs and best interests.5\n\nReporting a suspected abused or neglected child pursuant to § 63.2-1509.B\n\nThe advocate is not a party to the case to which he is assigned and shall not call witnesses or examine witnesses. The advocate shall not, with respect to the case to which he is assigned, provide legal counsel or advice to any person, appear as counsel in court or in proceedings which are part of the judicial process, or engage in the unauthorized practice of law. The advocate may testify if called as a witness.C\n\nThe program director shall assign an advocate to a child when requested to do so by the judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court having jurisdiction over the proceedings. The advocate shall continue his association with each case to which he is assigned until relieved of his duties by the court or by the program director. The program director may assign an advocate to attend and participate in family partnership meetings as defined by the Department of Social Services and in meetings of family assessment and planning teams established pursuant to § 2.2-5208, multidisciplinary child sexual abuse response teams established pursuant to § 15.2-1627.5, individualized education program teams established pursuant to Article 2 (§ 22.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter 13 of Title 22.1, and multidisciplinary teams established pursuant to §§ 63.2-1503 and 63.2-1505.D\n\nThe Department shall adopt regulations governing the qualifications of advocates who for purposes of administering this subsection shall be deemed to be criminal justice employees. The regulations shall require that an advocate be at least twenty-one years of age and that the program director shall obtain with the approval of the court (i) a copy of his criminal history record or certification that no conviction data are maintained on him and (ii) a copy of information from the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 on any investigation of child abuse or neglect undertaken on him or certification that no such record is maintained on him. Advocates selected prior to the adoption of regulations governing qualifications shall meet the minimum requirements set forth in this article.E\n\nAn advocate shall have no associations which create a conflict of interests or the appearance of such a conflict with his duties as an advocate. No advocate shall be assigned to a case of a child whose family has a professional or personal relationship with the advocate. Questions concerning conflicts of interests shall be determined in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department.F\n\nNo applicant shall be assigned as an advocate until successful completion of a program of training required by regulations. The Department shall set standards for both basic and ongoing training.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":256043,"text":"Services in each local court-appointed special advocate program shall be provided by volunteer court-appointed special advocates, hereinafter referred to as advocates. The advocate’s duties shall include:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":256044,"text":"Investigating the case to which he is assigned to provide independent factual information to the court.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":256045,"text":"Submitting to the court of a written report of his investigation in compliance with the provisions of § 16.1-274. The report may, upon request of the court, include recommendations as to the child’s welfare.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":256046,"text":"Monitoring the case to which he is assigned to ensure compliance with the court’s orders.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":256047,"text":"Assisting the guardian ad litem appointed to represent the child in providing effective representation of the child’s needs and best interests.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":256048,"text":"Reporting a suspected abused or neglected child pursuant to § 63.2-1509.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B"},"6":{"id":256049,"text":"The advocate is not a party to the case to which he is assigned and shall not call witnesses or examine witnesses. The advocate shall not, with respect to the case to which he is assigned, provide legal counsel or advice to any person, appear as counsel in court or in proceedings which are part of the judicial process, or engage in the unauthorized practice of law. The advocate may testify if called as a witness.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"C"},"7":{"id":256050,"text":"The program director shall assign an advocate to a child when requested to do so by the judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court having jurisdiction over the proceedings. The advocate shall continue his association with each case to which he is assigned until relieved of his duties by the court or by the program director. The program director may assign an advocate to attend and participate in family partnership meetings as defined by the Department of Social Services and in meetings of family assessment and planning teams established pursuant to § 2.2-5208, multidisciplinary child sexual abuse response teams established pursuant to § 15.2-1627.5, individualized education program teams established pursuant to Article 2 (§ 22.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter 13 of Title 22.1, and multidisciplinary teams established pursuant to §§ 63.2-1503 and 63.2-1505.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"8":{"id":256051,"text":"The Department shall adopt regulations governing the qualifications of advocates who for purposes of administering this subsection shall be deemed to be criminal justice employees. The regulations shall require that an advocate be at least twenty-one years of age and that the program director shall obtain with the approval of the court (i) a copy of his criminal history record or certification that no conviction data are maintained on him and (ii) a copy of information from the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 on any investigation of child abuse or neglect undertaken on him or certification that no such record is maintained on him. Advocates selected prior to the adoption of regulations governing qualifications shall meet the minimum requirements set forth in this article.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"9":{"id":256052,"text":"An advocate shall have no associations which create a conflict of interests or the appearance of such a conflict with his duties as an advocate. No advocate shall be assigned to a case of a child whose family has a professional or personal relationship with the advocate. Questions concerning conflicts of interests shall be determined in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"10":{"id":256053,"text":"No applicant shall be assigned as an advocate until successful completion of a program of training required by regulations. The Department shall set standards for both basic and ongoing training.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15805,"edition_id":1,"name":"Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12897,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:59:48","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:59:48","permalink":{"id":284955,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15805,"identifier":"5","token":"9.1\/1\/5","url":"\/9.1\/1\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12897,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Criminal Justice Services","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12896,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":284489,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12897,"identifier":"1","token":"9.1\/1","url":"\/9.1\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12896,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commonwealth Public Safety","identifier":"9.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":284487,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12896,"identifier":"9.1","token":"9.1","url":"\/9.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83191,"structure_id":15805,"section_number":"9.1-151","catch_line":"Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program; appointment of advisory committee","url":"\/9.1-151\/","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-151","metadata":false},{"id":75710,"structure_id":15805,"section_number":"9.1-152","catch_line":"Local court-appointed special advocate programs; powers and duties","url":"\/9.1-152\/","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-152","metadata":false},{"id":71015,"structure_id":15805,"section_number":"9.1-153","catch_line":"Volunteer court-appointed special advocates; powers and duties; assignment; qualifications; training","url":"\/9.1-153\/","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-153","metadata":false},{"id":60937,"structure_id":15805,"section_number":"9.1-154","catch_line":"Immunity","url":"\/9.1-154\/","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-154","metadata":false},{"id":80988,"structure_id":15805,"section_number":"9.1-155","catch_line":"Notice of hearings and proceedings","url":"\/9.1-155\/","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-155","metadata":false},{"id":66402,"structure_id":15805,"section_number":"9.1-156","catch_line":"Inspection and copying of records by advocate; confidentiality of records","url":"\/9.1-156\/","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-156","metadata":false},{"id":70280,"structure_id":15805,"section_number":"9.1-157","catch_line":"Cooperation of state and local entities","url":"\/9.1-157\/","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-157","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":75710,"structure_id":15805,"section_number":"9.1-152","catch_line":"Local court-appointed special advocate programs; powers and duties","url":"\/9.1-152\/","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-152","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":60937,"structure_id":15805,"section_number":"9.1-154","catch_line":"Immunity","url":"\/9.1-154\/","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-154","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/9.1-153\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1990. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 752 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 1990 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1994, chapters 700<\/a> and 830<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 606<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 606<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 844<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56443,"section_number":"16.1-274","catch_line":"Time for filing of reports; copies furnished to attorneys; amended reports; fees","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-274\/"},{"id":59691,"section_number":"46.2-208","catch_line":"Records of Department; when open for inspection; release of privileged information","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-208\/"},{"id":67092,"section_number":"63.2-1515","catch_line":"Central registry; disclosure of information","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1515\/"},{"id":66402,"section_number":"9.1-156","catch_line":"Inspection and copying of records by advocate; confidentiality of records","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-156\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":79732,"section_number":"15.2-1627.5","catch_line":"Coordination of multidisciplinary response to child sexual abuse and the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1627.5\/"},{"id":56443,"section_number":"16.1-274","catch_line":"Time for filing of reports; copies furnished to attorneys; amended reports; fees","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-274\/"},{"id":84143,"section_number":"2.2-5208","catch_line":"Family assessment and planning team; powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-5208\/"},{"id":86043,"section_number":"22.1-213","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-213\/"},{"id":69022,"section_number":"63.2-1503","catch_line":"Local departments to establish child-protective services; duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1503\/"},{"id":67092,"section_number":"63.2-1515","catch_line":"Central registry; disclosure of information","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1515\/"}],"permalink":{"id":284965,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71015,"identifier":"9.1-153","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-153","url":"\/9.1-153\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/9.1-153\/","token":"9.1\/1\/5\/9.1-153","dublin_core":{"Title":"Volunteer court-appointed special advocates; powers and duties; assignment; qualifications; training","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 9.1-153","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Services in each local court<\/span>-appointed special advocate program shall be provided by volunteer court<\/span>-appointed special advocates, hereinafter referred to as advocates. The advocate’s duties shall include: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Investigating the case to which he is assigned to provide independent factual information to the court<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Submitting to the court<\/span> of a written report of his investigation in compliance with the provisions of § 16.1-274<\/a>. The report may, upon request of the court<\/span>, include recommendations as to the child’s welfare. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Monitoring the case to which he is assigned to ensure compliance with the court<\/span>’s orders<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Assisting the guardian ad litem<\/span> appointed to represent the child in providing effective representation of the child’s needs and best interests. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Reporting a suspected abused or neglected child pursuant to § 63.2-1509<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The advocate is not a party<\/span> to the case to which he is assigned and shall not call witnesses or examine witnesses. The advocate shall not, with respect to the case to which he is assigned, provide legal counsel<\/span> or advice to any person, appear as counsel<\/span> in court<\/span> or in proceedings which are part of the judicial process, or engage in the unauthorized practice of law<\/span>. The advocate may testify if called as a witness<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The program director shall assign an advocate to a child when requested to do so by the judge<\/span> of the juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> having jurisdiction<\/span> over the proceedings. The advocate shall continue his association with each case to which he is assigned until relieved of his duties by the court<\/span> or by the program director. The program director may assign an advocate to attend and participate in family partnership meetings as defined by the Department<\/span> of Social Services and in meetings of family assessment and planning teams established pursuant to § 2.2-5208<\/a>, multidisciplinary child sexual abuse response teams established pursuant to § 15.2-1627.5<\/a>, individualized education program teams established pursuant to Article 2 (§ 22.1-213<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 13 of Title 22.1, and multidisciplinary teams established pursuant to §§ 63.2-1503<\/a> and 63.2-1505<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall adopt regulations governing the qualifications of advocates who for purposes of administering this subsection shall be deemed to be criminal justice employees. The regulations shall require that an advocate be at least twenty-one years of age and that the program director shall obtain with the approval of the court<\/span> (i) a copy of his criminal history record or certification that no conviction data<\/span> are maintained on him and (ii) a copy of information from the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515<\/a> on any investigation of child abuse or neglect undertaken on him or certification that no such record is maintained on him. Advocates selected prior to the adoption of regulations governing qualifications shall meet the minimum requirements set forth in this article. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> An advocate shall have no associations which create a conflict of interests<\/span> or the appearance<\/span> of such a conflict with his duties as an advocate. No advocate shall be assigned to a case of a child whose family has a professional or personal relationship with the advocate. Questions concerning conflicts of interests shall be determined in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> No applicant shall be assigned as an advocate until successful completion of a program of training required by regulations. The Department<\/span> shall set standards for both basic and ongoing training. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVOLUNTEER COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES; POWERS AND DUTIES; ASSIGNMENT;\nQUALIFICATIONS; TRAINING (\u00a7 9.1-153)\n\nA. Services in each local court-appointed special advocate program shall be\nprovided by volunteer court-appointed special advocates, hereinafter referred to\nas advocates. The advocate’s duties shall include:\n\n 1. Investigating the case to which he is assigned to provide independent\n factual information to the court.\n\n 2. Submitting to the court of a written report of his investigation in\n compliance with the provisions of § 16.1-274. The report may, upon\n request of the court, include recommendations as to the child’s welfare.\n\n 3. Monitoring the case to which he is assigned to ensure compliance with the\n court’s orders.\n\n 4. Assisting the guardian ad litem appointed to represent the child in\n providing effective representation of the child’s needs and best\n interests.\n\n 5. Reporting a suspected abused or neglected child pursuant to §\n 63.2-1509.\n\nB. The advocate is not a party to the case to which he is assigned and shall not\ncall witnesses or examine witnesses. The advocate shall not, with respect to the\ncase to which he is assigned, provide legal counsel or advice to any person,\nappear as counsel in court or in proceedings which are part of the judicial\nprocess, or engage in the unauthorized practice of law. The advocate may testify\nif called as a witness.\n\nC. The program director shall assign an advocate to a child when requested to do\nso by the judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court having\njurisdiction over the proceedings. The advocate shall continue his association\nwith each case to which he is assigned until relieved of his duties by the court\nor by the program director. The program director may assign an advocate to\nattend and participate in family partnership meetings as defined by the\nDepartment of Social Services and in meetings of family assessment and planning\nteams established pursuant to § 2.2-5208, multidisciplinary child sexual\nabuse response teams established pursuant to § 15.2-1627.5, individualized\neducation program teams established pursuant to Article 2 (§ 22.1-213 et\nseq.) of Chapter 13 of Title 22.1, and multidisciplinary teams established\npursuant to §§ 63.2-1503 and 63.2-1505.\n\nD. The Department shall adopt regulations governing the qualifications of\nadvocates who for purposes of administering this subsection shall be deemed to\nbe criminal justice employees. The regulations shall require that an advocate be\nat least twenty-one years of age and that the program director shall obtain with\nthe approval of the court (i) a copy of his criminal history record or\ncertification that no conviction data are maintained on him and (ii) a copy of\ninformation from the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 on\nany investigation of child abuse or neglect undertaken on him or certification\nthat no such record is maintained on him. Advocates selected prior to the\nadoption of regulations governing qualifications shall meet the minimum\nrequirements set forth in this article.\n\nE. An advocate shall have no associations which create a conflict of interests\nor the appearance of such a conflict with his duties as an advocate. No advocate\nshall be assigned to a case of a child whose family has a professional or\npersonal relationship with the advocate. Questions concerning conflicts of\ninterests shall be determined in accordance with regulations adopted by the\nDepartment.\n\nF. No applicant shall be assigned as an advocate until successful completion of\na program of training required by regulations. The Department shall set\nstandards for both basic and ongoing training.\n\nHISTORY: 1990, c. 752, \u00a7 9-173.8; 1994, cc. 700, 830; 1997, c. 606; 1999, c.\n606; 2001, c. 844; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 177.","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}}