Virginia legislation · 2027 Regular Session
Virginia SB839: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 14 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-1414.01, relating to members of local governing bodies; nondisclosure agreements prohibited.
Status: In committee, October 8, 2026
Members of local governing bodies; nondisclosure agreements prohibited. Prohibits members of local governing bodies from signing or executing a nondisclosure agreement that prohibits them from discussing matters of public concern related to the performance of their official duties. The bill provides that any such agreement is against public policy, void, and unenforceable. The bill exempts any such member from the prohibition if such nondisclosure agreement is necessary to prevent disclosure of (i) factual circumstances relating to the member's performance of official duties that reasonably implicate privacy interests held by the member, if the member elects to restrict such disclosure; (ii) matters required by law to be kept confidential; or (iii) information related to active civil or criminal investigations. Finally, the bill exempts from its provisions any contracts, covenants, or agreements entered into or renewed prior to July 1, 2027.
What the bill says
To amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 14 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-1414.01, relating to members of local governing bodies; nondisclosure agreements prohibited. ---------- Patrons--Jones and Roem ---------- Referred to Committee on Local Government ---------- 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 14 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-1414.01 as nondisclosure agreements prohibited. A. As used in this section: "Member of a local governing body" means any duly elected member of a governing body of any locality. "Ma.
From the introduced text, October 8, 2026:
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 14 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-1414.01, relating to members of local governing bodies; nondisclosure agreements prohibited. ---------- Patrons--Jones and Roem ---------- Referred to Committee on Local Government ---------- 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 14 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-1414.01 as nondisclosure agreements prohibited. A. As used in this section: "Member of a local governing body" means any duly elected member of a governing body of any locality. "Matters of public concern" means those matters of interest to the community as a whole, whether for social, political, or other reasons, and includes discussions that disclose any (i) evidence of corruption, impropriety, or other malfeasance on the part of government officials; (ii) violation of law; or (iii) incidence of fraud, abuse, or gross mismanagement. "Nondisclosure agreement" means any agreement or contract that includes a provision or clause prohibiting a member from disclosing, discussing, describing, or commenting on matters of public concern related to the member's performance of their official duties. B. No member of a local governing body shall sign or execute a nondisclosure agreement during the course of their term of office that prohibits them from discussing matters of public concern related …