SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2011 SESSION
11101727DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 2.2-3900 and 2.2-3901 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 2.2-3900. Short title; declaration of policy.
A. This chapter shall be known and cited as the Virginia Human Rights Act.
B. It is the policy of the Commonwealth to:
1. Safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability, in places of public accommodation, including educational institutions and in real estate transactions; in employment; preserve the public safety, health and general welfare; and further the interests, rights and privileges of individuals within the Commonwealth; and
2. Protect citizens of the Commonwealth against unfounded charges of unlawful discrimination.
§ 2.2-3901. Definitions.
Conduct A. As used in this chapter, unless the context
requires a different meaning:
"Sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression. Sexual orientation shall not include any person's attraction toward persons with whom sexual conduct would be illegal due to the age of the parties.
"Unlawful
discriminatory practice" means conduct that
violates any Virginia or federal statute or regulation governing discrimination
on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy,
childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual
orientation, age, marital status, or disability shall be an
"unlawful discriminatory practice" for the purposes of this chapter.
B. The terms "because of sex or gender" or "on the basis of sex or gender" or terms of similar import when used in reference to discrimination in the Code and acts of the General Assembly include because of or on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. Women affected by pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions shall be treated the same for all purposes as persons not so affected but similar in their abilities or disabilities.