Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 16 of Title 19.2 a section numbered 19.2-271.7 as follows:

§19.2-271.7. Protected information; law-enforcement officers.

Any law-enforcement officer, as defined in §9.1-101, who provides information relative to a criminal investigation or in proceedings preliminary to a criminal prosecution may refuse, unless ordered by a court, to disclose his residence address, home telephone number, or any personal information concerning his family. Any law-enforcement officer who testifies as a witness in a criminal case may refuse to disclose personal information concerning his family unless it is determined by the court that such evidence is relevant to the case.