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

Virginia House Bill 941 (Prior Session Legislation)

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

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-Enrolled.html

VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER An Act to amend and reenact §27-32.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the issuance of fire investigation warrants. [H 941] Approved

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.