                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

SHORT TITLE; POLICY (§ 2.2-3700)

A. This chapter may be cited as &#8220;The Virginia Freedom of Information
Act.&#8221;

B. By enacting this chapter, the General Assembly ensures the people of the
Commonwealth ready access to public records in the custody of a public body or
its officers and employees, and free entry to meetings of public bodies wherein
the business of the people is being conducted. The affairs of government are not
intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy since at all times the
public is to be the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government.
Unless a public body or its officers or employees specifically elect to exercise
an exemption provided by this chapter or any other statute, every meeting shall
be open to the public and all public records shall be available for inspection
and copying upon request. All public records and meetings shall be presumed
open, unless an exemption is properly invoked.
			The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to promote an
increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities and afford every
opportunity to citizens to witness the operations of government. Any exemption
from public access to records or meetings shall be narrowly construed and no
record shall be withheld or meeting closed to the public unless specifically
made exempt pursuant to this chapter or other specific provision of law. This
chapter shall not be construed to discourage the free discussion by government
officials or employees of public matters with the citizens of the Commonwealth.
			All public bodies and their officers and employees shall make reasonable
efforts to reach an agreement with a requester concerning the production of the
records requested.
			Any ordinance adopted by a local governing body that conflicts with the
provisions of this chapter shall be void.

HISTORY: 1968, c. 479, § 2.1-340; 1976, c. 467, § 2.1-340.1; 1989, c. 358;
1990, c. 538; 1999, cc. 703, 726; 2001, c. 844; 2002, c. 393.