Virginia Public Records Act
Virginia · 42.1 · §§ 42.1-76 to 42.1-91.1 · 21 sections
Overview
The act governs public access to records held by government agencies, establishing a general right to inspect and obtain copies of public records and requiring an agency to justify any withholding rather than refuse without explanation. It sets out procedures for making and responding to requests, requires that requesters be treated without discrimination, addresses how records maintained in electronic form must be handled, and restricts the release of sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers. It also allows agencies to disclose records voluntarily in defined circumstances and to share otherwise protected material with prosecuting authorities.
Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.
In the courts
Sections of this act have been cited in 3 court decisions.
Most-cited authority: 28 VACIR 283 - Middlesex County v. Hamilton
Sections covered
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-76Legislative intent; title of chapter
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-76.1Notice of Chapter
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-77Definitions1 cite
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-78Confidentiality safeguarded
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-79Records management function vested in The Library of Virginia
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-79.1Repealed
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-80Repealed
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-82Duties and powers of Library Board
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-83Repealed
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-84Repealed
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-85Records Management Program; agencies to cooperate; agencies to designate records officer
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-86Essential public records; security recovery copies; disaster plans
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-86.01Records may be retained in electronic medium
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-86.1Disposition of public records
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-87Archival public records
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-88Custodians to deliver all records at expiration of term; penalty for noncompliance
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-89Petition and court order for return of public records not in authorized possession1 cite
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-90Seizure of public records not in authorized possession1 cite
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-90.1Auditing
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-91Repealed
- Va. Code Ann. § 42.1-91.1Availability of public records created prior to January 1, 1901
Enacted in other states
Alaska, California, Mississippi, New Mexico, Vermont, Wyoming
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