Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §53.1-127 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§53.1-127. Who may enter interior of local correctional facilities; searches of those entering.
A. Members of the local governing bodies that participate in
the funding of a local correctional facility may go into the interior of that
facility. Agents The
Governor, members of the General Assembly, and agents of
the Board may go into the interior of any local correctional facility. In
addition, Department of Corrections staff and state and local health department
staff shall, in the performance of their duties, have access to the interior of
any local correctional facility subject to the standards promulgated pursuant
to subsections A and B of §53.1-68. Attorneys shall be permitted in the
interior of a local correctional facility to confer with prisoners who are
their clients and with prisoners who are witnesses in cases in which they are
involved. Except for the announced or unannounced inspections authorized
pursuant to subsections A and B of §53.1-68 or a review conducted pursuant to
§53.1-69.1, the sheriff, jail administrator, or other person in charge of the
facility shall prescribe the time and conditions under which attorneys and
other persons may enter the local correctional facility for which he is
responsible.
B. Any person seeking to enter the interior of any local correctional facility shall be subject to a search of his person and effects. Such search shall be performed in a manner reasonable under the circumstances and may be a condition precedent to entering a local correctional facility.