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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>80323</law_id><section_number>2.2-3809</section_number><catch_line>Injunctive relief; civil penalty; attorneys&amp;#8217; fees</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>16.1-77</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="2.2">Administration of Government</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Administration of State Government</unit><unit label="part" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="B">Transaction of Public Business</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="38">Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Any aggrieved person may institute a proceeding for <span class="dictionary">injunction</span> or mandamus against any person or <span class="dictionary">agency</span> that has engaged, is engaged, or is about to engage in any acts or practices in violation of the provisions of this chapter. The proceeding shall be brought in the district or <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> of any county or city where the aggrieved person resides or where the <span class="dictionary">agency</span> made <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> has a place of business.
		In the case of any successful proceeding by an <span class="dictionary">aggrieved party</span>, the <span class="dictionary">agency</span> enjoined or made subject to a <span class="dictionary">writ of mandamus</span> by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall be liable for the costs of the action together with reasonable attorneys&#x2019; fees as determined by the <span class="dictionary">court</span>.
		In addition, if the <span class="dictionary">court</span> finds that a violation of subsection A of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Collection, disclosure, or display of social security number; personal identifying information of donors; penalty" href="/2.2-3808/">2.2-3808</a> was willfully and knowingly made by a specific public officer, appointee, or employee of any <span class="dictionary">agency</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may impose upon such individual a civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000, which amount shall be paid into the State Literary Fund. For a second or subsequent violation, such civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> shall be not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,500. For a violation of subsection A of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Collection, disclosure, or display of social security number; personal identifying information of donors; penalty" href="/2.2-3808/">2.2-3808</a> by any <span class="dictionary">agency</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may impose a civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000, which amount shall be paid into the State Literary Fund. For a second or subsequent violation, such civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> shall be not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,500.</p></section></text><history>1976, c. 597, &#xA7; 2.1-386; 2001, c. 844; 2008, cc. 840, 843.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
