Bill Text: VA HB2164 | 2021 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Tobacco; prohibits person from selling product at retail without license from ABC Authority.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-02-05 - Left in Appropriations [HB2164 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-HB2164-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§4.1-116, 18.2-371.2, 18.2-391, 22.1-79.5, 22.1-206, 22.1-279.6, and 59.1-293.10 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 6, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-600 through 4.1-605, as follows:
§4.1-116. Disposition of moneys collected by Board; creation of Enterprise Fund and Tobacco Retail Administration Subfund; reserve fund.
A. 1. All moneys collected by the Board shall be paid directly and promptly into the state treasury, or shall be deposited to the credit of the State Treasurer in a state depository, without any deductions on account of salaries, fees, costs, charges, expenses, refunds or claims of any description whatever, as required by §2.2-1802.
2. All
moneys so paid into the state treasury, less the net profits determined
pursuant to subsection C, shall be set aside as and constitute an Enterprise
Fund, subject to appropriation, for the payment of (i) the salaries and
remuneration of the members, agents, and employees of the Board and;
(ii) all costs and expenses incurred in establishing and maintaining government
stores and in the administration of the provisions of this title, including the
purchasing, building, leasing and operation of distilleries and the manufacture
of alcoholic beverages; and (iii) all
direct and indirect costs and expenses
incurred in the administration
of licenses and enforcement of laws under Chapter 6
(§4.1-600 et seq.), which shall be accounted for from the Tobacco
Retail Administration Subfund
as provided in subdivision 3.
3. There is hereby created in the state treasury, as a subfund of the Enterprise Fund, a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Tobacco Retail Administration Subfund, referred to in this section as "the Subfund." The Subfund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. The Subfund shall consist of all funds appropriated to it pursuant to subdivision 2. Interest earned on moneys in the Subfund shall remain in the Subfund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Subfund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Subfund. Moneys in the Subfund shall be used solely for the purposes of funding the Department's direct and indirect costs of the administration of licenses and enforcement of laws under Chapter 6 (§4.1-600 et eq.), including the administrative costs of reviewing applications, issuing licenses, education and training, and any other requirements of Chapter 6. Expenditures and disbursements from the Subfund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.
B. The net profits derived under the provisions of this title shall be transferred by the Comptroller to the general fund of the state treasury quarterly, within fifty days after the close of each quarter or as otherwise provided in the appropriation act. As allowed by the Governor, the Board may deduct from the net profits quarterly a sum for the creation of a reserve fund not exceeding the sum of $2.5 million in connection with the administration of this title and to provide for the depreciation on the buildings, plants and equipment owned, held or operated by the Board.
C. The term "net profits" as used in this section means the total of all moneys collected by the Board less all costs, expenses and charges authorized by this section.
§4.1-600. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Electronic smoking device" means the same as such term is defined in §18.2-371.2.
"Licensee" means a person who has obtained a license from the Authority pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
"Person" means any natural person.
"Tobacco product" means the same as such term is defined in §18.2-371.2.
"Tobacco retailer" means any person, partnership, joint venture, society, club, trustee, trust, association, organization, or corporation that owns, operates, or manages any tobacco retail establishment. "Tobacco retailer" does not include nonmanagement employees of a tobacco retail establishment.
"Tobacco retail establishment" means any place of business where tobacco products are available for sale to the general public, including any grocery store, tobacco product shop, kiosk, convenience store, gasoline service station, bar, or restaurant where tobacco products are available for sale to the general public.
§4.1-601. Disposition of moneys collected by the Authority.
All moneys collected by the Authority under this chapter shall be paid into the state treasury according to the provisions of §§4.1-101.06 and 4.1-116.
§4.1-602. License required for sale of tobacco products at retail; civil penalties.
A. No tobacco retailer shall operate a tobacco retail establishment, conduct business as a tobacco retailer, or otherwise sell or offer to sell tobacco products at retail unless such tobacco retailer has obtained a license from the Authority pursuant to this chapter.
B. Any tobacco retailer that violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty, to be assessed and collected by the Authority, for each violation of $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense within a 36-month period. Any tobacco retailer that violates this section shall be ineligible to obtain a license from the Authority pursuant to this chapter for a period of three years from the date of such tobacco retailer's most recent violation.
§4.1-603. Application for license; penalty.
A. Any tobacco retailer may apply for a license to operate a tobacco retail establishment and conduct business as a licensee according to forms and procedures prescribed by the Authority. The Authority shall require a separate license for each location or place of business. The application forms shall require the following information:
1. The name and address of the applicant; if the applicant is a firm, partnership, or association, the name and address of each of its members; if the applicant is a corporation, the name and address of each of its principal officers;
2. The address of the applicant's principal place of business;
3. The address of the place or places where the business to be licensed is to be conducted; and
4. Any other information as the Authority may require for the purpose of the administration of this chapter.
B. The application process shall require an applicant to participate in, and provide for its employees, education related to tobacco products as provided in §4.1-605.
C. 1. Upon receipt of an application in proper form, the Authority shall, unless otherwise provided by this chapter, issue to the applicant a license authorizing the licensee to sell and offer to sell tobacco products at retail. Each license, or a copy thereof, shall be prominently displayed in the place of business covered by the license. No license shall be transferable to any other person.
2. The Authority may deny an application for a license if it determines the applicant has, within five years of its date of application, violated a federal, state, or local law related to the sale of tobacco products.
D. Unless an applicant or licensee maintains a registered agent pursuant to Chapter 9 (§13.1-601 et seq.), 10 (§ 13.1-801 et seq.), 12 (§13.1-1000 et seq.), or 14 (§13.1-1200 et seq.) of Title 13.1 or Chapter 2.1 (§50-73.1 et seq.) or 2.2 (§50-73.79 et seq.) of Title 50, the applicant or licensee shall be deemed to have appointed the clerk of the State Corporation Commission as the applicant's or licensee's agent for the purpose of service of process relating to any matter or issue involving the applicant or licensee and arising under the provisions of this chapter.
E. Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for one year from the date of issue unless revoked by the Authority. The Authority may revoke a license if a licensee fails to pay a penalty due under the provisions of this chapter or a tax due under the provisions of Title 58.1.
F. The Authority shall compile and maintain a current list of licensees. The list shall be updated on a semiannual basis and published on the Authority's website.
§4.1-604. Revocation of licenses; restrictions on the sale of tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age; penalties.
A. A licensee shall be required to comply with the provisions of this chapter; §§18.2-246.8, 18.2-246.10, and 18.2-371.2; and any other federal, state, or local law related to the sale of tobacco products. If the Authority determines that a licensee has violated any such provision of law, the Authority may revoke its license.
B. 1. If the Authority determines that a licensee violated §18.2-371.2, the Authority shall impose and the licensee shall be subject to (i) a civil penalty of $500 for a first offense, (ii) a civil penalty of $1,000 for a second offense within 36 months, (iii) a civil penalty of $1,500 and a suspension of the licensee's license for 15 days for a third offense within 36 months, and (iv) a civil penalty of $2,000, a revocation of the licensee's license, and a prohibition imposed on such person from applying for a license pursuant to this chapter for a period of three years for a fourth or subsequent offense within 36 months.
2. If the Authority determines that a licensee's agent or employee acting in his capacity as such licensee's agent or employee violated §18.2-371.2, the Authority shall impose and such agent or employee shall be subject to a civil penalty of $50 for each offense.
C. Any person on whom the Authority imposes a penalty pursuant to this section shall not be subject to penalty for the same offense under §18.2-371.2 if such person is a licensee or a licensee's agent or employee acting in his capacity as such licensee's agent or employee.
§4.1-605. Required education for licensees and employees.
Any tobacco retailer that applies for a license and any licensee shall be required to attest that it has conducted education and training for its employees related to:
1. The provisions of this chapter;
2. The prohibitions on the sale of tobacco products to persons under age 21 and other restrictions prescribed by §§18.2-246.8, 18.2-246.10, and 18.2-371.2;
3. Forms of identification that are acceptable as proof of age; and
4. The legal penalties that may be incurred for violation of the provisions of law identified in subdivisions 1 and 2.
§18.2-371.2. Prohibiting sale or distribution of tobacco products and hemp products intended for smoking to persons under 21 years of age; penalty.
A. No person shall sell to, distribute to, purchase for, or
knowingly permit the purchase by any person less than 21 years of age, knowing
or having reason to believe that such person is less than 21 years of age, any
tobacco product, nicotine vapor
product, alternative nicotine product,
or hemp product intended for smoking.
Tobacco products,
nicotine vapor products, alternative nicotine products, and hemp products
intended for smoking may be sold only if the machine
is (i) posted with a notice, in a conspicuous manner and place, indicating that
the purchase or possession of such products by persons under 21 years of age is
unlawful and (ii) located in a place that is not open to the general public and
is not generally accessible to persons under 21 years of age. An establishment
that prohibits the presence of persons under 21 years of age unless accompanied
by a person 21 years of age or older is not open to the general public
B.
No person less than 21 years of age shall attempt to purchase, purchase, or
possess any tobacco product, nicotine vapor product, alternative nicotine
product, or hemp product intended for smoking. The provisions of this
subsection shall not be applicable to the possession of tobacco products,
nicotine vapor products, alternative nicotine products, or hemp products
intended for smoking by a person less than 21 years of age (i) making a
delivery of tobacco products, nicotine vapor products, alternative nicotine
products, or hemp products intended for smoking in pursuance of his employment
or (ii) as part of a scientific study being conducted by an organization for
the purpose of medical research to further efforts in cigarette and tobacco use
prevention and cessation and tobacco product regulation, provided that such
medical research has been approved by an institutional review board pursuant to
applicable federal regulations or by a research review committee pursuant to
Chapter 5.1 (§32.1-162.16 et seq.) of Title 32.1. This subsection shall not
apply to purchase, attempt to purchase, or possession by a law-enforcement
officer or his agent when the same is necessary in the performance of his duties.
C. , nicotine vapor
product, alternative nicotine product,
or hemp product intended for smoking to any individual who does not
demonstrate, by producing a driver's license or similar photo identification issued
by a government agency, that the individual is at least 21 years of age. No such
verification shall be required if such individual is at least 30 years of age. It shall not be a
defense to a violation of this subsection that a purchaser appeared to be at
least 30 years of age. If
a buyer misrepresents
his age through use of
false identification, a licensee,
as defined in §4.1-600,
or such licensee's agent or employee
acting in his capacity as such licensee's
agent or employee, may assert as an affirmative
defense to a violation of this section
that such licensee, agent, or employee reasonably relied on
such proof of age, provided that such
licensee, agent, or employee carefully checked a
driver's license, a
passport, or an identification card issued by the Commonwealth or
any state of the United
States, and such licensee, agent, or
employee acted in good faith and in reliance upon the
representation that the buyer was at least 21 years
of age.Such identification
is not required from an individual whom the person has reason to believe is at
least 21 years of age or who the person knows is at least 21 years of age. Proof
that the person demanded, was shown, and reasonably relied upon a photo
identification stating that the individual was at least 21 years of age shall
be a defense to any action brought under this subsection. In determining
whether a person had reason to believe an individual is at least 21 years of
age, the trier of fact may consider, but is not limited to, proof of the
general appearance, facial characteristics, behavior, and manner of the
individual
This subsection shall not apply to mail
order or Internet sales, provided that the person offering the tobacco product, nicotine vapor product, alternative nicotine
product, or hemp product intended for
smoking for sale through mail order or the Internet (i) prior to the sale of
the tobacco product, nicotine vapor
product, alternative nicotine product,
or hemp product intended for smoking verifies that the purchaser is at least 21
years of age through a commercially available database that is regularly used
by businesses or governmental entities for the purpose of age and identity
verification and (ii) uses a method of mailing, shipping, or delivery that requires
the signature of a person at least 21 years of age before the tobacco product, nicotine vapor product, alternative nicotine
product, or hemp product intended for
smoking will be released to the purchaser.
D. The provisions of
subsections B and C shall not apply to the sale, giving, or furnishing of any
tobacco product, nicotine vapor product, alternative nicotine product, or hemp
product intended for smoking to any active duty military personnel who are 18
years of age or older. An identification card issued by the Armed Forces of the
United States shall be accepted as proof of age for this purpose.
E. A violation of
subsection A or C by an individual or by a separate retail establishment that
involves a nicotine vapor product, alternative nicotine product, hemp product
intended for smoking, or tobacco product other than a bidi is punishable by a
civil penalty not to exceed $100 for a first violation, a civil penalty not to
exceed $200 for a second violation, and a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for
a third or subsequent violation.
C. A
violation of subsection A or C B by an individual or by a
separate retail establishment that involves the
sale, distribution, or purchase of a bidi Where
a defendant retail establishment offers proof that it has trained its employees
concerning the requirements of this section, the court shall suspend all of the
penalties imposed hereunder. However, where the court finds that a retail
establishment has failed to so train its employees, the court may impose a
civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 in lieu of any penalties imposed hereunder
for a violation of subsection A or C involving a nicotine vapor product,
alternative nicotine product, hemp product intended for smoking, or tobacco
product other than a bidi.
A violation of subsection
B is punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $100 for a first violation and
a civil penalty not to exceed $250 for a second or subsequent violation. A
court may, as an alternative to the civil penalty, and upon motion of the
defendant, prescribe the performance of up to 20 hours of community service for
a first violation of subsection B and up to 40 hours of community service for a
second or subsequent violation. If the defendant fails or refuses to complete
the community service as prescribed, the court may impose the civil penalty.
Upon a violation of subsection B, the judge may enter an order pursuant to
subdivision A 9 of §16.1-278.8.
Any attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in
which an alleged violation occurred may bring an action to recover the civil
penalty, which shall be paid into the state treasury. Any law-enforcement
officer may issue a summons for a violation of subsection A, or B,
or C.
F. , nicotine vapor
product, alternative nicotine product,,
nicotine vapor products, alternative nicotine products,
2. For the purpose of compliance with regulations of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published at 61 Federal Register 1492, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may promulgate regulations which allow the Department to undertake the activities necessary to comply with such regulations.
3. Any attorney for the county, city, or town in which an alleged violation of this subsection occurred may enforce this subsection by civil action to recover a civil penalty not to exceed $100. The civil penalty shall be paid into the local treasury. No filing fee or other fee or cost shall be charged to the county, city, or town which instituted the action.
G.
H.
I.
"Alternative
nicotine product" means any noncombustible product containing nicotine
that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, absorbed, dissolved, or
ingested by any other means. "Alternative nicotine product" does not
include any nicotine vapor product, tobacco product, or product regulated as a
drug or device by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Chapter V
(21 U.S.C. §351 et seq.) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
"Bidi"
means a product containing tobacco that is wrapped in temburni leaf (diospyros
melanoxylon) or tendu leaf (diospyros exculpra), or any other product that is
offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a bidi or beedie.
"Electronic smoking device" means any device that may be used to deliver any aerosolized or vaporized substance to the person inhaling from the device, including an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, vape pen, or e-hookah. "Electronic smoking device" includes any component, part, or accessory of the device, whether or not sold separately, and also includes any substance intended to be aerosolized or vaporized during the use of the device, whether or not the substance contains nicotine. "Electronic smoking device" does not include any battery or battery charger when sold separately. "Electronic smoking device" does not include drugs or devices, as such terms are defined in 21 U.S.C. §321, or combination products, as such term is used in 21 U.S.C. §353, if such drugs, devices, or combination products are authorized for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"Hemp product" means the same as that term is defined in §3.2-4112.
"Nicotine vapor
product" means any noncombustible product containing nicotine that employs
a heating element, power source, electronic circuit, or other electronic,
chemical, or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to
produce vapor from nicotine in a solution or other form. "Nicotine vapor
product" includes any electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic
cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device and any cartridge or
other container of nicotine in a solution or other form that is intended to be
used with or in an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic
cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device. "Nicotine vapor
product" does not include any product regulated by the FDA under Chapter V
(21 U.S.C. §351 et seq.) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
"Tobacco product" means
(i) any product
containing, made of, or derived from tobacco or that contains nicotine that is intended for
human consumption or is likely to be consumed, whether smoked, heated, chewed,
dissolved, inhaled, absorbed, or ingested by any other means, including a
cigarette, a cigar, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus; (ii) any
electronic smoking device and any substances that may be aerosolized or
vaporized by such device, whether or not the substance contains nicotine;
and includes cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco,
pipe tobacco, bidis, and wrappings
any nicotine vapor product, alternative nicotine product, or product that is
regulated by the FDA under Chapter V (21 U.S.C. §351 et seq.) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
"Wrappings" includes
papers
§18.2-391. Unlawful acts; penalties.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, rent or loan to a juvenile, knowing or having reason to know that such person is a juvenile, or to knowingly display for commercial purpose in a manner whereby juveniles may examine and peruse:
1. Any picture, photography, drawing, sculpture, motion
picture in any format or medium, video or computer game, electronic file or
message containing an image, or similar visual representation or image of a
person or portion of the human body which depicts sexually explicit nudity,
sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse and which is harmful to juveniles,
2. Any book, pamphlet, magazine, printed matter however
reproduced, electronic file or message containing words, or sound recording which contains any matter enumerated in subdivision 1 of this subsection, or explicit and detailed
verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sexual excitement, sexual conduct
or sadomasochistic abuse and which, taken as a
whole, is harmful to juveniles.
However, if a person uses services of an Internet service provider or an electronic mail service provider in committing acts prohibited under this subsection, such Internet service provider or electronic mail service provider shall not be held responsible for violating this subsection.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to sell to a juvenile an admission ticket or pass, or knowingly to admit a juvenile to premises whereon there is exhibited a motion picture, show or other presentation which, in whole or in part, depicts sexually explicit nudity, sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse and which is harmful to juveniles or to exhibit any such motion picture at any such premises which are not designed to prevent viewing from any public way of such motion picture by juveniles not admitted to any such premises.
C. It shall be unlawful for any juvenile falsely to represent to any person mentioned in subsection A or subsection B hereof, or to his agent, that such juvenile is 18 years of age or older, with the intent to procure any material set forth in subsection A, or with the intent to procure such juvenile's admission to any motion picture, show or other presentation, as set forth in subsection B.
D. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to make a false representation to any person mentioned in subsection A or subsection B hereof or to his agent, that he is the parent or guardian of any juvenile, or that any juvenile is 18 years of age, with the intent to procure any material set forth in subsection A, or with the intent to procure such juvenile's admission to any motion picture, show or other presentation, as set forth in subsection B.
E. No person shall sell, rent, or loan any item described in
subdivision A 1 or A of subsection
of §18.2-371.2. C
F. A violation of subsection A, B, C, or D is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A person or separate retail establishment who violates subsection E shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $100 for a first violation, a civil penalty not to exceed $200 for a second violation, and a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for a third or subsequent violation.
§22.1-79.5. Policy regarding tobacco products.
Each school board shall develop and implement a policy to
prohibit, at any time, the use and distribution of any tobacco product or nicotine vapor product those terms are
Such policy shall include (i) provisions for its enforcement among students, employees, and visitors, including the enumeration of possible sanctions or disciplinary action consistent with state or federal law, and (ii) referrals to resources to help staff and students overcome tobacco addiction.
Each school board shall work to ensure adequate notice of this policy.
§22.1-206. Instruction concerning drugs, alcohol, substance abuse, and tobacco products.
A. Instruction concerning drugs and drug abuse shall be provided by the public schools as prescribed by the Board of Education.
B. Instruction concerning the public safety hazards and dangers of alcohol abuse, underage drinking, and drunk driving shall be provided in the public schools. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority shall provide educational materials to the Department of Education. The Department of Education shall review and shall distribute such materials as are approved to the public schools.
C. The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth shall develop and
the Department of Education shall distribute to each local school division
educational materials concerning the health and safety risks of using tobacco
products, nicotine vapor products, and alternative nicotine
products such terms
are,
nicotine vapor products, and alternative nicotine products such terms are
§22.1-279.6. Board of Education guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct; school board regulations.
A. The Board of Education shall establish guidelines and develop model policies for codes of student conduct to aid local school boards in the implementation of such policies. The guidelines and model policies shall include (i) criteria for the removal of a student from a class, the use of suspension, expulsion, and exclusion as disciplinary measures, the grounds for suspension and expulsion and exclusion, and the procedures to be followed in such cases, including proceedings for such suspension, expulsion, and exclusion decisions and all applicable appeals processes; (ii) standards, consistent with state, federal and case laws, for school board policies on alcohol and drugs, gang-related activity, hazing, vandalism, trespassing, threats, search and seizure, disciplining of students with disabilities, intentional injury of others, self-defense, bullying, the use of electronic means for purposes of bullying, harassment, and intimidation, and dissemination of such policies to students, their parents, and school personnel; (iii) standards for in-service training of school personnel in and examples of the appropriate management of student conduct and student offenses in violation of school board policies; (iv) standards for dress or grooming codes; and (v) standards for reducing bias and harassment in the enforcement of any code of student conduct.
In accordance with the most recent enunciation of constitutional principles by the Supreme Court of the United States of America, the Board's standards for school board policies on alcohol and drugs and search and seizure shall include guidance for procedures relating to voluntary and mandatory drug testing in schools, including which groups may be tested, use of test results, confidentiality of test information, privacy considerations, consent to the testing, need to know, and release of the test results to the appropriate school authority.
In the case of suspension and expulsion, the procedures set forth in this article shall be the minimum procedures that the school board may prescribe.
B. School boards shall adopt and revise, as required by § 22.1-253.13:7 and in accordance with the requirements of this section, regulations on codes of student conduct that are consistent with, but may be more stringent than, the guidelines of the Board. School boards shall include in the regulations on codes of student conduct procedures for suspension, expulsion, and exclusion decisions and shall biennially review the model student conduct code to incorporate discipline options and alternatives to preserve a safe, nondisruptive environment for effective teaching and learning.
C. Each school board shall include in its code of student conduct prohibitions against hazing and profane or obscene language or conduct. School boards shall also cite in their codes of student conduct the provisions of §18.2-56, which defines and prohibits hazing and imposes a Class 1 misdemeanor penalty for violations, that is, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
D. Each school board shall include in its code of student conduct policies and procedures that include a prohibition against bullying. Such policies and procedures shall (i) be consistent with the standards for school board policies on bullying and the use of electronic means for purposes of bullying developed by the Board pursuant to subsection A and (ii) direct the principal to notify the parent of any student involved in an alleged incident of bullying of the status of any investigation within five school days of the allegation of bullying.
Such policies and procedures shall not be interpreted to infringe upon the First Amendment rights of students and are not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that such expression does not cause an actual, material disruption of the work of the school.
E. A school board may regulate the use or possession of beepers or other portable communications devices and laser pointers by students on school property or attending school functions or activities and establish disciplinary procedures pursuant to this article to which students violating such regulations will be subject.
F. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any school board to adopt policies requiring or encouraging any drug testing in schools. However, a school board may, in its discretion, require or encourage drug testing in accordance with the Board of Education's guidelines and model student conduct policies required by subsection A and the Board's guidelines for student searches required by §22.1-279.7.
G. The Board of Education shall establish standards to ensure compliance with the federal Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (Part F-Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994), as amended, in accordance with §22.1-277.07.
This subsection shall not be construed to diminish the authority of the Board of Education or to diminish the Governor's authority to coordinate and provide policy direction on official communications between the Commonwealth and the United States government.
H. Each school board shall include in its code of student
conduct a prohibition on possessing any tobacco product
or nicotine vapor product, as those terms are defined in §
18.2-371.2, on a school bus, on school property, or at an on-site or off-site
school-sponsored activity.
I. Any school board may include in its code of student conduct a dress or grooming code. Any dress or grooming code included in a school board's code of student conduct or otherwise adopted by a school board shall (i) permit any student to wear any religiously and ethnically specific or significant head covering or hairstyle, including hijabs, yarmulkes, headwraps, braids, locs, and cornrows; (ii) maintain gender neutrality by subjecting any student to the same set of rules and standards regardless of gender; (iii) not have a disparate impact on students of a particular gender; (iv) be clear, specific, and objective in defining terms, if used; (v) prohibit any school board employee from enforcing the dress or grooming code by direct physical contact with a student or a student's attire; and (vi) prohibit any school board employee from requiring a student to undress in front of any other individual, including the enforcing school board employee, to comply with the dress or grooming code.
§59.1-293.10. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires another meaning:
"Child-resistant packaging" means packaging that is designed or constructed to meet the child-resistant effectiveness standards set forth in 16 C.F.R. §1700.15(b)(1) when tested in accordance with the protocols described in 16 C.F.R. §1700.20 as in effect on July 1, 2015.
"Liquid nicotine" means a liquid or other substance containing nicotine in any concentration that is sold, marketed, or intended for use in a nicotine vapor product.
"Liquid nicotine container" means a bottle or other container holding liquid nicotine in any concentration but does not include a cartridge containing liquid nicotine if such cartridge is prefilled and sealed by the manufacturer of such cartridge and is not intended to be opened by the consumer.
"Nicotine vapor product" has the same meaning as in
§ 18.2-371.2
