Bill Text: VA HB941 | 2012 | Regular Session | Prefiled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Fire investigation warrant; State Police arson investigators may obtain.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-03-22 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0330) [HB941 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2012-HB941-Prefiled.html

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12101855D
HOUSE BILL NO. 941 Offered January 11, 2012 Prefiled January 11, 2012 A BILL to amend and reenact §27-32.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the issuance of fire investigation warrants. ---------- Patron-- Lingamfelter ---------- Referred to Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §27-32.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§27-32.2. Issuance of fire investigation warrant.

If, in undertaking such an investigation, the fire marshal or investigator appointed pursuant to §27-56 makes an affidavit under oath that the origin or cause of any fire or explosion on any land, building, or vessel, or of any object is undetermined and that he has been refused admittance thereto, or is unable to gain permission to enter such land, building, or vessel, or to examine such object, within fifteen 15 days after the extinguishing of such, any magistrate serving the city or county where the land, building, vessel, or object is located may issue a fire investigation warrant to the fire marshal or investigator appointed pursuant to §27-56 authorizing him to enter such land, building, vessel, or the premises upon which the object is located for the purpose of determining the origin and source of such fire or explosion. If the fire marshal or investigator appointed pursuant to §27-56, after gaining access to any land, building, vessel, or other premises pursuant to such a fire investigation warrant, has probable cause to believe that the burning or explosion was caused by any act constituting a criminal offense, he shall discontinue the investigation until a search warrant has been obtained pursuant to §27-32.1, or consent to conduct the search has otherwise been given.