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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>62876</law_id><section_number>51.1-124.13</section_number><catch_line>Loss of benefits; certain felony convictions</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="51.1">Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">Virginia Retirement System</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1.1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> No person shall be entitled to any of the benefits of this title as provided in this section if (i) he is convicted of a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> and (ii) the person&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">employer</span> determines that the <span class="dictionary">felony</span> arose from misconduct occurring on or after July 1, 2011, in any position in which the person was a <span class="dictionary">member</span> covered for retirement purposes under any <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> administered by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. Prior to making any such determination, the <span class="dictionary">employer</span> shall give the person reasonable prior written notice and provide an opportunity to be heard. The <span class="dictionary">employer</span>&#x2019;s determination may be appealed in a manner consistent with subsection B, and no further proceedings shall follow the decision of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span>. The <span class="dictionary">employer</span>&#x2019;s determination shall become final 10 calendar days after the date of the initial determination if no <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> is filed, or the date of the decision of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> if an <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> is filed. A reversal by the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> of the <span class="dictionary">employer</span>&#x2019;s determination shall render the determination null and void. <a id="paragraph-229193" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-124.13/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Proceedings for review of the determination of the <span class="dictionary">employer</span> may be made by the <span class="dictionary">member</span> filing a <span class="dictionary">notice of appeal</span> within five workdays of receipt of the determination. Within five workdays thereafter, the <span class="dictionary">employer</span> shall transmit, to the clerk of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> in the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> where the <span class="dictionary">employer</span> is located, a copy of the record. The <span class="dictionary">court</span>, on <span class="dictionary">motion</span> of the <span class="dictionary">member</span>, may <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a <span class="dictionary">writ of certiorari</span> requiring the <span class="dictionary">employer</span> to transmit the record on or before a certain date. Within 30 days of receipt of such records, the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, sitting without a <span class="dictionary">jury</span>, shall hear the appeal on the record and such additional <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> as may be necessary to resolve any controversy as to the correctness of the record. The <span class="dictionary">court</span>, in its discretion, may receive such other <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> as the ends of justice require. The <span class="dictionary">court</span> may <span class="dictionary">affirm</span> the determination of the <span class="dictionary">employer</span> or may <span class="dictionary">reverse</span> or modify the determination. The decision of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall be rendered no later than the fifteenth day from the date of the conclusion of the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>. The decision of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall be final and shall not be appealable. The <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> shall be at no cost to the Commonwealth or the <span class="dictionary">member</span>. <a id="paragraph-229194" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-124.13/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall implement the relinquishment of benefits under this title as soon as practicable after the <span class="dictionary">employer</span> notifies the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> of its final determination that the <span class="dictionary">member</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">felony</span> <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> arose from misconduct in any position in which the <span class="dictionary">member</span> was a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in <span class="dictionary">service</span>. <a id="paragraph-229195" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-124.13/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> If the person is or becomes a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in <span class="dictionary">service</span> after relinquishment of benefits under subsection C, he shall be entitled to the benefits under this title based solely on his <span class="dictionary">service</span> occurring after the relinquishment. <a id="paragraph-229196" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-124.13/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Notwithstanding any provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span> to the contrary, any <span class="dictionary">service</span> credit lost from relinquishment of benefits under subsection C shall be ineligible for subsequent purchase. <a id="paragraph-229197" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-124.13/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> The governing body of any locality served by a constitutional officer shall be considered that officer&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">employer</span> for purposes of this section. <a id="paragraph-229198" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-124.13/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2011, c. 483; 2012, cc. 56, 349.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
