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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>363932</law_id><section_number>44-9.1</section_number><catch_line>Censorship of certain sermons prohibited</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="97" identifier="44">Military and Emergency Laws</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">Military Laws of Virginia</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="2" identifier="2">General Administrative Officers</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, the religious content of sermons, homilies, preaching, religious messages, or other speeches within religious services made by chaplains of the Virginia National Guard while in Title 32 or State Active Duty status or of the Virginia Defense Force shall not be censored or restricted by any state government official or agency, so long as (i) the religious content offered is not in any way a precursor of, introduction to, or part of any official ceremony, gathering, or formation that is not part of the religious service; (ii) the content does not urge disobedience of lawful <span class="dictionary">orders</span>; and (iii) members of the National Guard or Defense Force are not required to attend the service or event where such content is delivered.</p></section></text><history>2015, c. 283.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
