A. This chapter may be cited as "The Virginia Freedom of Information Act."
B. By enacting this chapter, the General Assembly ensures the people of the Commonwealth ready access to public records in the custody of a public body or its officers and employees, and free entry to meetings of public bodies wherein the business of the people is being conducted. The affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy since at all times the public is to be the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government. Unless a public body or its officers or employees specifically elect to exercise an exemption provided by this chapter or any other statute, every meeting shall be open to the public and all public records shall be available for inspection and copying upon request. All public records and meetings shall be presumed open, unless an exemption is properly invoked.
The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities and afford every opportunity to citizens to witness the operations of government. Any exemption from public access to records or meetings shall be narrowly construed and no record shall be withheld or meeting closed to the public unless specifically made exempt pursuant to this chapter or other specific provision of law. This chapter shall not be construed to discourage the free discussion by government officials or employees of public matters with the citizens of the Commonwealth.
All public bodies and their officers and employees shall make reasonable efforts to reach an agreement with a requester concerning the production of the records requested.
Any ordinance adopted by a local governing body that conflicts with the provisions of this chapter shall be void.
1968, c. 479, § 2.1-340; 1976, c. 467, § 2.1-340.1; 1989, c. 358; 1990, c. 538; 1999, cc. 703, 726; 2001, c. 844; 2002, c. 393.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 2.2 - Administration of Government
Chapter 37 - Virginia Freedom of Information Act
§ 2.2-3700. Short title; policy
§ 2.2-3701. (Effective until September 1, 2022) Definitions
§ 2.2-3701. (Effective September 1, 2022) Definitions
§ 2.2-3703.1. Disclosure pursuant to court order or subpoena
§ 2.2-3704.01. Records containing both excluded and nonexcluded information; duty to redact
§ 2.2-3704.2. Public bodies to designate FOIA officer
§ 2.2-3704.3. Training for local officials
§ 2.2-3705.2. Exclusions to application of chapter; records relating to public safety
§ 2.2-3705.5. Exclusions to application of chapter; health and social services records
§ 2.2-3705.6. Exclusions to application of chapter; proprietary records and trade secrets
§ 2.2-3705.8. Limitation on record exclusions
§ 2.2-3706. Disclosure of law-enforcement and criminal records; limitations
§ 2.2-3707.01. (Effective until September 1, 2022) Meetings of the General Assembly
§ 2.2-3707.01. (Effective September 1, 2022) Meetings of the General Assembly
§ 2.2-3707.1. Posting of minutes for state boards and commissions
§ 2.2-3707.2. Posting of minutes for local public bodies
§ 2.2-3710. Transaction of public business other than by votes at meetings prohibited
§ 2.2-3711. Closed meetings authorized for certain limited purposes
§ 2.2-3712. Closed meetings procedures; certification of proceedings
§ 2.2-3713. Proceedings for enforcement of chapter
§ 2.2-3714. (Effective until September 1, 2022) Violations and penalties
§ 2.2-3714. (Effective September 1, 2022) Violations and penalties