Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org7929637.2-307Employment of special counsel to defend Board member, officer, or employee of Department in criminal cases2025Behavioral Health and Developmental ServicesGeneral ProvisionsDepartment of Behavioral Health and Developmental ServicesThe Department and the Commissioner

If the Commissioner, any Board member, or any officer or employee of the Department is arrested, indicted, or otherwise prosecuted on any charge arising out of any act committed in the discharge of his official duties, the Commissioner may employ special counsel, to be approved by the Attorney General, to defend the person. The compensation for the special counsel employed pursuant to this section shall, subject to approval of the Attorney General, be paid out of funds appropriated to the Department.

Code 1950, § 37-16.2; 1966, c. 371; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-38; 1976, c. 671; 2005, c. 716.