A. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Age" means being an individual who is at least 40 years of age.
"Military status" means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. § 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911(4) except that the support provided by the service member to the individual shall have been provided 180 days immediately preceding an alleged action that if proven true would constitute unlawful discrimination under this section instead of 180 days immediately preceding an application for relief under 50 U.S.C. Chapter 50.
"Religion" includes any outward expression of religious faith, including adherence to religious dressing and grooming practices and the carrying or display of religious items or symbols.
B. No department, office, board, commission, agency, or instrumentality of local government shall discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military status.
C. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit (i) discrimination in employment on the basis of sex or age in those instances when sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification for employment or (ii) providing preference in employment to veterans.
2020, cc. 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2022, c. 799.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns
§ 15.2-1500. Organization of local government
§ 15.2-1500.1. Employment discrimination prohibited; sexual orientation or gender identity
§ 15.2-1501. Designation of officers to perform certain duties
§ 15.2-1502. Employment of certain deputies and assistants; delegation of powers and duties
§ 15.2-1503. Tenure of officers and employees; suspension or removal
§ 15.2-1503.1. Background checks required for certain employees and licensees
§ 15.2-1504. Use of tobacco products by government employees
§ 15.2-1505. Employment based on residency prohibited for certain employees
§ 15.2-1505.1. Applicant preemployment information
§ 15.2-1505.2. Personnel policies related to the use of public property
§ 15.2-1507. Provision of grievance procedure; training programs
§ 15.2-1507.1. Appointment of standing panel in certain counties
§ 15.2-1508. Bonuses for employees of local governments
§ 15.2-1508.1. Traveling expenses on business of town, city or county
§ 15.2-1508.2. Same; where Commonwealth bears portion of expenses
§ 15.2-1509. Preferences for veterans and people with disabilities in local government employment
§ 15.2-1510. Retirement systems
§ 15.2-1510.1. Public announcement of severance packages for certain officials
§ 15.2-1511. Allowances to injured officials and employees and their dependents
§ 15.2-1511.01. Allowances to injured deputy sheriffs
§ 15.2-1511.1. Written benefit information to certain employees
§ 15.2-1512.3. Telecommuting by local government employees
§ 15.2-1512.4. Rights of local employees to contact elected officials
§ 15.2-1513. Joint local government employees permitted
§ 15.2-1514. Exercise of powers and duties
§ 15.2-1515. Compensation, benefits and liability insurance of such persons
§ 15.2-1517.1. Formation of not-for-profit benefits consortium
§ 15.2-1522. When and how officers qualify
§ 15.2-1523. Record of qualification
§ 15.2-1524. Failure to qualify vacates office
§ 15.2-1525. Where officers shall reside
§ 15.2-1526. Removal vacates office
§ 15.2-1527. Bonds of officers
§ 15.2-1529. Amount of bond of treasurer or director of finance of counties
§ 15.2-1530. Bonds required of treasurers or directors of finance of cities
§ 15.2-1531. When certain city and county treasurers not required to give additional bond
§ 15.2-1532. Payment of premiums on bonds for more than one year in advance
§ 15.2-1533. Bond plan to be forwarded to clerk and Comptroller
§ 15.2-1534. Certain officers not to hold more than one office
§ 15.2-1536. Required and discretionary officers
§ 15.2-1537. Financial officer
§ 15.2-1537.1. Disposition of state funds locally collected
§ 15.2-1538. Clerk for the governing body
§ 15.2-1539. General duties of clerk
§ 15.2-1540. Chief administrative officer
§ 15.2-1541. Administrative head of government
§ 15.2-1541.1. Authority of county administrator to maintain centralized system of accounting
§ 15.2-1543. Employment of purchasing agent; duties
§ 15.2-1545. Postemployment benefits other than pensions defined