SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2020 SESSION


CHAPTER 273
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 19.2-11.02, relating to inquiry into immigration status; certain victims or witnesses of crime.
[H 262]
Approved March 11, 2020

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 19.2-11.02 as follows:

§ 19.2-11.02. Prohibiting inquiry into the immigration status of certain victims or witnesses of crime.

A. No law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, shall, in connection with the report, investigation, or prosecution of a criminal violation of state or local law, inquire into the immigration status of any person who (i) reports that he is a victim of the crime or is the parent or guardian of a minor victim of the crime or (ii) is a witness in the investigation of the crime or the parent or guardian of a minor witness to the crime.

B. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a law-enforcement officer from inquiring into the immigration status of the parent or guardian of a minor victim if such parent or guardian has been arrested for, has been charged with, or is being investigated for a crime against the minor victim.

C. Nothing in this section shall affect the enforcement or implementation of § 18.2-59, subdivision 10 of § 18.2-308.09, or subdivision B 1 of § 18.2-308.2:2, or prohibit a law-enforcement officer from inquiring into a person's immigration status to enforce or implement such sections.