                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER; OTHER PROGRAMS TO AID PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES,
MINORS, AND THE ELDERLY (§ 2.2-3902)

The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally for the
accomplishment of its policies.
		Conduct that violates any Virginia or federal statute or regulation governing
discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,
gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical
conditions including lactation, age, military status, disability, or ethnic or
national origin is an unlawful discriminatory practice under this chapter.
		Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit or alter any program, service,
facility, school, or privilege that is afforded, oriented, or restricted to a
person because of disability or age from continuing to habilitate, rehabilitate,
or accommodate that person.
		In addition, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect any
governmental program, law or activity differentiating between persons on the
basis of age over the age of 18 years (i) where the differentiation is
reasonably necessary to normal operation or the activity is based upon
reasonable factors other than age or (ii) where the program, law or activity
constitutes a legitimate exercise of powers of the Commonwealth for the general
health, safety and welfare of the population at large.
		Complaints filed with the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Law (the
Office) in accordance with § 2.2-520 alleging unlawful discriminatory practice
under a Virginia statute that is enforced by a Virginia agency shall be referred
to that agency. The Office may investigate complaints alleging an unlawful
discriminatory practice under a federal statute or regulation and attempt to
resolve it through conciliation. Unsolved complaints shall thereafter be
referred to the federal agency with jurisdiction over the complaint. Upon such
referral, the Office shall have no further jurisdiction over the complaint. The
Office shall have no jurisdiction over any complaint filed under a local
ordinance adopted pursuant to § 15.2-965.

HISTORY: 1987, c. 581, § 2.1-717; 1991, c. 457; 1997, c. 404; 2000, c. 933;
2001, c. 844; 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2020, cc. 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc.
12, 196, 477, 478; 2024, cc. 266, 334.