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1998 SESSION
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 63.1-248.9 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 63.1-248.9. Authority to take child into custody.
A. A physician or protective service worker of a local department or law-enforcement official investigating a report or complaint of abuse and neglect may take a child into custody for up to seventy-two hours without prior approval of parents or guardians provided:
1. The circumstances of the child are such that continuing in his place of residence or in the care or custody of the parent, guardian, custodian or other person responsible for the child's care, presents an imminent danger to the child's life or health to the extent that severe or irremediable injury would be likely to result or if evidence of abuse is perishable or subject to deterioration before a hearing can be held; and
2. A court order is not immediately obtainable; and
3. The court has set up procedures for placing such children; and
4. Following taking the child into custody, the parents or guardians are notified as soon as practicable that he is in custody; and
5. A report is made to the local department; and
6. The court is notified and the person or agency taking custody of such child obtains, as soon as possible, but in no event later than seventy-two hours, an emergency removal order pursuant to § 16.1-251; however, if a preliminary removal order is issued after a hearing held in accordance with § 16.1-252 within seventy-two hours of the removal of the child, an emergency removal order shall not be necessary.
B. If the seventy-two-hour period for holding a child in custody and for obtaining a preliminary or emergency removal order expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the seventy-two hours shall be extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, but in no event shall either such period exceed ninety-six hours.