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HB 160·VA·house

FOIA; officers, employees, or members of a public body, alleged willful and knowing violations.

In CommitteeFiled Jan 6, 2026
Sponsor: Simon
Latest Action

Continued from last session

Jul 21, 2026

Summary

The bill changes Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act so civil penalties can only be imposed on officers, employees, or members of a public body when they are sued in their personal capacity. It also tells courts to weigh good‑faith reliance on certain legal opinions and advisory guidance when deciding if a violation was willful and knowing. This aims to protect officials who act based on trusted advice.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

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