Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §15.2-1812 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§15.2-1812. Memorials for war veterans.
A. A
locality may, within the geographical limits of the locality, authorize and
permit the erection of monuments or memorials for any war or conflict, or for
any engagement of such war or conflict, to include the following monuments or
memorials: Algonquin (1622), French and Indian (1754-1763), Revolutionary
(1775-1783), War of 1812 (1812-1815), Mexican (1846-1848), Confederate or Union
monuments or memorials of the War Between the States (1861-1865),
Spanish-American (1898), World War I (1917-1918), World War II (1941-1945),
Korean (1950-1953), Vietnam (1965-1973), Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm
(1990-1991), Global War on Terrorism (2000- ), Operation Enduring Freedom
(2001- ), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003- ). If Except as
provided in subsection C below, if such are erected, it shall be
unlawful for the authorities of the locality, or any other person or persons,
to disturb or interfere with any monuments or memorials so erected, or to
prevent its citizens from taking proper measures and exercising proper means
for the protection, preservation and care of same. For purposes of this
section, "disturb or interfere with" includes removal of, damaging or
defacing monuments or memorials, or, in the case of the War Between the States,
the placement of Union markings or monuments on previously designated
Confederate memorials or the placement of Confederate markings or monuments on
previously designated Union memorials.
B. The governing body may appropriate a sufficient sum of money out of its funds to complete or aid in the erection of monuments or memorials to the veterans of such wars. The governing body may also make a special levy to raise the money necessary for the erection or completion of any such monuments or memorials, or to supplement the funds already raised or that may be raised by private persons, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion or other organizations. It may also appropriate, out of any funds of such locality, a sufficient sum of money to permanently care for, protect and preserve such monuments or memorials and may expend the same thereafter as other funds are expended.
C. Upon the affirmative vote of a governing body of a locality in which a monument or memorial is located, the locality may relocate the monument or memorial to a museum of the locality's choice. However, if the monument or memorial is not owned by the locality, the owner of the monument or memorial shall be given an opportunity to reclaim or relocate the monument or memorial within six months of notice from the locality. After six months, if the owner of such a monument or memorial declines the opportunity to reclaim or relocate the monument or memorial in question, the locality shall be authorized to proceed with the relocation.
2. That Chapter 119 of the Acts of Assembly of 1890 is repealed.