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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>59182</law_id><section_number>4.1-225.1</section_number><catch_line>Summary suspension in emergency circumstances; grounds; notice and hearing</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="4.1">Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">Alcoholic Beverage Control Act</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">Administration of Licenses</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Licenses Granted by Board; Limitations; Revocation and Suspension</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in Article 3 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Exemptions from operation of Article 3" href="/2.2-4018/">2.2-4018</a> et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Suspension or revocation of licenses; notice and hearings; imposition of penalties" href="/4.1-227/">4.1-227</a> or <a class="law" title="Suspension or revocation of permits; grounds; notice and hearing; exception" href="/4.1-229/">4.1-229</a>, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may summarily suspend any license or permit if it has reasonable cause to believe that an act of violence resulting in death or serious bodily injury, or a recurrence of such acts, has occurred on (i) the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises, (ii) any premises immediately adjacent to the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises that is owned or leased by the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, or (iii) any portion of public property immediately adjacent to the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises, and the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> finds that there exists a continuing threat to public safety and that summary suspension of the license or permit is justified to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the public. <a id="paragraph-216940" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Prior to issuing an <span class="dictionary">order</span> of suspension pursuant to this section, <span class="dictionary">special agents</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall conduct an initial investigation and submit all <span class="dictionary">findings</span> to the Secretary of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> within 48 hours of any such act of violence; however, if the 48-hour period terminates on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the initial investigation <span class="dictionary">findings</span> may be submitted to the Secretary of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> any time prior to the close of business on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. If the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> determines suspension is warranted, it shall immediately notify the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> of its intention to temporarily suspend his license pending the outcome of a formal investigation. Such temporary suspension shall remain effective for a minimum of 48 hours. After the 48-hour period, the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> may <span class="dictionary">petition</span> the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> for a restricted license pending the results of the formal investigation and proceedings for disciplinary review. If the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> determines that a restricted license is warranted, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall have discretion to impose appropriate restrictions based on the <span class="dictionary">facts</span> presented. <a id="paragraph-216941" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Upon a determination to temporarily suspend a license, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall immediately commence a formal investigation. The formal investigation shall be completed within 10 days of its commencement and the <span class="dictionary">findings</span> reported immediately to the Secretary of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. If, following the formal investigation, the Secretary of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> determines that suspension of the license is warranted, a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> shall be held within five days of the completion of the formal investigation. A decision shall be rendered within 10 days of conclusion of the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>. If a decision is not rendered within 10 days of the conclusion of the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>, the <span class="dictionary">order</span> of suspension shall be vacated and the license reinstated. Any <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> by the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> shall be filed within 10 days of the decision and heard by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> within 20 days of the decision. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall render a decision on the <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> within 10 days of the conclusion of the <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>. <a id="paragraph-216942" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Service of any <span class="dictionary">order</span> of suspension issued pursuant to this section shall be made by a <span class="dictionary">special agent</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> in person and by certified mail to the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>. The <span class="dictionary">order</span> of suspension shall take effect immediately upon service. <a id="paragraph-216943" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225.1/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> This section shall not apply to (i) temporary licenses granted under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Temporary licenses" href="/4.1-211/">4.1-211</a> or temporary permits granted under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Permits required in certain instances" href="/4.1-212/">4.1-212</a>, either of which may be revoked summarily in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Temporary licenses" href="/4.1-211/">4.1-211</a>, or (ii) licenses granted pursuant to subdivision 7 or 8 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Manufacturer licenses" href="/4.1-206.1/">4.1-206.1</a> or subdivision 1 or 3 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Wholesale licenses" href="/4.1-206.2/">4.1-206.2</a>. <a id="paragraph-216944" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225.1/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2016, c. 42; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114; 2023, c. 597; 2024, c. 256.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
