{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/40.1-51.4_5.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/40.1-51.4_5.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/40.1-51.4_5.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/40.1-51.4_5.html"}],"law_id":363455,"edition_id":2,"section_id":363455,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.4:5","catch_line":"Immunity of employees for reporting threatening conduct","history":"2002, c. 537.","full_text":"A\n\nAny employee who, in good faith with reasonable cause and without malice, truthfully reports threatening conduct by a person employed at the same workplace shall be immune from all civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as the result of making such a report.\n\nB\n\nAs used in subsection A, &#8220;threatening conduct&#8221; means any conduct that would place a person in reasonable apprehension of death or bodily injury.\n\nC\n\nThe immunity provided by this section shall not abrogate any other immunity that an employee may be entitled to assert.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1354488,"text":"Any employee who, in good faith with reasonable cause and without malice, truthfully reports threatening conduct by a person employed at the same workplace shall be immune from all civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as the result of making such a report.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1354489,"text":"As used in subsection A, &#8220;threatening conduct&#8221; means any conduct that would place a person in reasonable apprehension of death or bodily injury.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1354490,"text":"The immunity provided by this section shall not abrogate any other immunity that an employee may be entitled to assert.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":51859,"edition_id":2,"name":"Safety Provisions","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":6,"parent_id":51851,"metadata":{"child_laws":34,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:50:09","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:23","permalink":{"id":1447039,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51859,"identifier":"5","token":"40.1\/3\/5","url":"\/40.1\/3\/5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51851,"edition_id":2,"name":"Protection of Employees","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":51843,"metadata":{"child_laws":88,"child_structures":8},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:49:58","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:23","permalink":{"id":1446807,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51851,"identifier":"3","token":"40.1\/3","url":"\/40.1\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51843,"edition_id":2,"name":"Labor and Employment","identifier":"40.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":89,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":237,"child_structures":28},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:49:54","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:22","permalink":{"id":1446725,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51843,"identifier":"40.1","token":"40.1","url":"\/40.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":363381,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-41","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/40.1-41\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-41","metadata":false},{"id":363383,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-44","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/40.1-44\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-44","metadata":false},{"id":363382,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-44.1","catch_line":"Rules and regulations relating to tramways and other hauling and lifting devices","url":"\/40.1-44.1\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-44.1","metadata":false},{"id":363384,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-45","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/40.1-45\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-45","metadata":false},{"id":363398,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/40.1-49\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49","metadata":false},{"id":363385,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/40.1-49.1\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.1","metadata":false},{"id":363386,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.10","catch_line":"Duration of warrant","url":"\/40.1-49.10\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.10","metadata":false},{"id":363387,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.11","catch_line":"Conduct of inspection, testing, or collection of samples for analysis","url":"\/40.1-49.11\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.11","metadata":false},{"id":363388,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.12","catch_line":"Review by courts","url":"\/40.1-49.12\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.12","metadata":false},{"id":363389,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.13","catch_line":"Voluntary Protection Program","url":"\/40.1-49.13\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.13","metadata":false},{"id":363390,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/40.1-49.2\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.2","metadata":false},{"id":363391,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.3","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/40.1-49.3\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.3","metadata":false},{"id":363392,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.4","catch_line":"Enforcement of this title and standards, rules or regulations for safety and health; orders of Commissioner; proceedings in circuit court; injunctions; penalties","url":"\/40.1-49.4\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.4","metadata":false},{"id":363393,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.5","catch_line":"Appeals to Court of Appeals","url":"\/40.1-49.5\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.5","metadata":false},{"id":363394,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.6","catch_line":"Same; attorneys for Commonwealth","url":"\/40.1-49.6\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.6","metadata":false},{"id":363395,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.7","catch_line":"Same; publication of orders","url":"\/40.1-49.7\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.7","metadata":false},{"id":363396,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.8","catch_line":"Inspections of workplace","url":"\/40.1-49.8\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.8","metadata":false},{"id":363397,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-49.9","catch_line":"Issuance of warrant","url":"\/40.1-49.9\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-49.9","metadata":false},{"id":363400,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-50","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/40.1-50\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-50","metadata":false},{"id":363463,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51","catch_line":"State Health Commissioner to provide advice and aid; rules and regulations","url":"\/40.1-51\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51","metadata":false},{"id":363401,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.1","catch_line":"Duties of employers","url":"\/40.1-51.1\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.1","metadata":false},{"id":363421,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.1:1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/40.1-51.1_1\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":363422,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.2","catch_line":"Rights and duties of employees","url":"\/40.1-51.2\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.2","metadata":false},{"id":363433,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.2:1","catch_line":"Discrimination against employee for exercising rights prohibited","url":"\/40.1-51.2_1\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":363434,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.2:2","catch_line":"Remedy for discrimination","url":"\/40.1-51.2_2\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.2_2","metadata":false},{"id":363435,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.3","catch_line":"Duties of health and safety inspectors","url":"\/40.1-51.3\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.3","metadata":false},{"id":363446,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.3:1","catch_line":"Penalty for giving advance notice of safety or health inspection under this title","url":"\/40.1-51.3_1\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.3_1","metadata":false},{"id":363447,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.3:2","catch_line":"Evidence of civil penalty against employer under state, federal, etc., safety codes inadmissible in personal injury or property damage trial","url":"\/40.1-51.3_2\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.3_2","metadata":false},{"id":363448,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.4","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/40.1-51.4\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.4","metadata":false},{"id":363451,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.4:1","catch_line":"Confidentiality of trade secrets","url":"\/40.1-51.4_1\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.4_1","metadata":false},{"id":363452,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.4:2","catch_line":"Penalty for making false statements, etc","url":"\/40.1-51.4_2\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.4_2","metadata":false},{"id":363453,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.4:3","catch_line":"Prohibition of use of certain questions on polygraph tests for employment","url":"\/40.1-51.4_3\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.4_3","metadata":false},{"id":363454,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.4:4","catch_line":"Prohibition of use of polygraphs in certain employment situations","url":"\/40.1-51.4_4\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.4_4","metadata":false},{"id":363455,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.4:5","catch_line":"Immunity of employees for reporting threatening conduct","url":"\/40.1-51.4_5\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.4_5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":363454,"structure_id":51859,"section_number":"40.1-51.4:4","catch_line":"Prohibition of use of polygraphs in certain employment situations","url":"\/40.1-51.4_4\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.4_4","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/40.1-51.4:5\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2002. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0537\">537<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1447173,"object_type":"law","relational_id":363455,"identifier":"40.1-51.4:5","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.4_5","url":"\/40.1-51.4_5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/40.1-51.4_5\/","token":"40.1\/3\/5\/40.1-51.4_5","dublin_core":{"Title":"Immunity of employees for reporting threatening conduct","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 40.1-51.4:5","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">employee<\/span> who, in good faith with reasonable cause and without <span class=\"dictionary\">malice<\/span>, truthfully reports <span class=\"dictionary\">threatening conduct<\/span> by a person employed at the same workplace shall be immune from all civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as the result of making such a report. <a id=\"paragraph-1354488\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/40.1-51.4_5\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> As used in subsection A, &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">threatening conduct<\/span>&#8221; means any conduct that would place a person in reasonable apprehension of death or bodily injury. <a id=\"paragraph-1354489\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/40.1-51.4_5\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> The immunity provided by this section shall not abrogate any other immunity that an <span class=\"dictionary\">employee<\/span> may be entitled to assert. <a id=\"paragraph-1354490\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/40.1-51.4_5\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nIMMUNITY OF EMPLOYEES FOR REPORTING THREATENING CONDUCT (\u00a7 40.1-51.4:5)\n\nA. Any employee who, in good faith with reasonable cause and without malice,\ntruthfully reports threatening conduct by a person employed at the same\nworkplace shall be immune from all civil liability that might otherwise be\nincurred or imposed as the result of making such a report.\n\nB. As used in subsection A, &#8220;threatening conduct&#8221; means any conduct\nthat would place a person in reasonable apprehension of death or bodily injury.\n\nC. The immunity provided by this section shall not abrogate any other immunity\nthat an employee may be entitled to assert.\n\nHISTORY: 2002, c. 537.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}