                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

REVIEW OF HEARING DECISIONS; COSTS (§ 2.2-3006)

A. Upon the request of a party to a grievance hearing for an administrative
review of the hearing decision, the Director of the Department of Human Resource
Management shall determine, within 30 days of the conclusion of any other
administrative reviews, whether the hearing decision is consistent with policy.

B. Within 30 days of a final decision, a party may appeal on the grounds that
the determination is contradictory to law by filing a notice of appeal with the
clerk of the circuit court in the jurisdiction in which the grievance arose. The
agency shall request and receive prior approval of the Director before filing a
notice of appeal. After a notice of appeal has been filed by either party, the
agency shall then transmit a copy of the grievance record to the clerk of the
court. The court, on motion of a party, shall issue a writ of certiorari
requiring transmission of the record on or before a certain date. Within 30 days
of receipt of the grievance record, the court, sitting without a jury, shall
hear the appeal on the record. The court may affirm the decision or may reverse
or modify the decision. The decision of the court shall be rendered no later
than the fifteenth day from the date of the conclusion of the hearing. The
circuit court hearing shall be at no cost to the Commonwealth or the grievant.

C. The hearing officer&#8217;s final decision shall be effective from the latter
of the date issued or the date of the conclusion of any administrative review
and judicial appeal, and shall be implemented immediately thereafter, unless
circumstances beyond the control of the agency delay such implementation.

D. Either party may petition the circuit court having jurisdiction in the
locality in which the grievance arose for an order requiring implementation of
the final decision of a hearing officer.

E. The court shall award reasonable attorneys&#8217; fees and costs to the
employee if the employee substantially prevails on the merits of a case brought
under subsection B or D.

HISTORY: 2000, cc. 947, 1006, § 2.1-116.07:1; 2001, cc. 393, 420, 844; 2003, c.
252; 2004, c. 229; 2012, cc. 56, 349.