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HB 1815

Line of Duty Act; benefits for campus police and private police officers, definitions.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Austin and 11 co-sponsors

Virginia expands Line of Duty Act benefits to campus and private police officers, extending state death and disability protections effective July 1, 2025.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0204)
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Bill Summary · HB 1815

Legislative bill overview

HB 1815 expands Virginia's Line of Duty Act to include campus police officers and private police officers, making them eligible for death and disability benefits previously available only to municipal and state law enforcement. The bill establishes definitions for what constitutes "campus police" and "private police" to determine eligibility for these state-provided benefits.

Why is this important

This legislation extends state-funded safety net protections to officers working outside traditional government agencies. Campus and private security forces now have equivalent financial protections for themselves and their families in case of job-related death or serious injury, which may affect recruitment, retention, and morale in these sectors. It also represents a significant expansion of state benefit obligations with ongoing fiscal implications.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and cost: Extending benefits to campus and private officers increases state expenditures; the bill's fiscal impact depends on how broadly "private police" is defined and how many officers qualify
  • Definition precision: "Private police" is a contentious term—the bill must clearly distinguish between armed security contractors, proprietary security forces, and traditional private security to avoid unintended coverage or disputes
  • Consistency of standards: Campus and private officers may have different training, oversight, and accountability standards than municipal/state police, raising questions about whether equal benefits are appropriate without equal qualification requirements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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