2025 SESSION
INTRODUCED
25103507D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2584
Offered January 13, 2025
Prefiled January 13, 2025
A BILL to amend and reenact 22.1-82 of the Code of Virginia, relating to school boards; employment of counsel.
PatronCordoza
Committee Referral Pending
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That 22.1-82 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
22.1-82. Employment of counsel to advise or defend school boards and officials; payment of costs, expenses, and liabilities; consent of local governing bodies required prior to institution of proceedings.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the attorney for the Commonwealth or other counsel may be employed by a school board, whether elected or appointed, to advise it concerning any legal matter or to represent it, any member thereof, or any school official in any legal proceeding to which the school board, member, or official may be a party, when such proceeding is instituted by or against it or against the member or official by virtue of his actions in connection with his duties as such member or official.
B. All costs and expenses of such advice and all costs, expenses, and liabilities of such proceedings shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the school board.
C. A school board shall, prior to instituting any legal action or proceeding against any other governmental agency in Virginia or expending any funds therefor, first secure the authorization of the governing body of the county, city or town locality constituting the school division or the governing bodies of the counties or cities in the school division if the division is composed of more than one county or city except as to legal actions or proceedings arising between the school board and the governing body or bodies.