Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §52-6.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§52-6.1. Appointment of supervisory officers.

A. All appointments to sworn police positions above the rank of trooper within the Department of State Police shall be made by the Superintendent of State Police from among the sworn police officers of the Department, except for those positions designated in subdivision A 16 of §2.2-2905, or whenever the Superintendent determines, in writing, that a position requires knowledge, skills, or abilities such that a sufficient pool of qualified candidates does not exist within the Department of State Police.It was and is the intent of the General Assembly that the primary factor in the career progression program is satisfactory years of service.

B. The career progression program shall provide for promotion to the rank of senior trooper after 10 years of service and promotion to the rank of master trooper after 20 years of service, provided in each case that there are no pending disciplinary actions involving a candidate.

C. The career progression program for special agents shall provide for promotion to senior special agent after six years of service, provided that there are no pending disciplinary actions involving a candidate.