In addition to any other immunity he may have, any person who, in good faith with reasonable cause and without malice, acts to report, investigate, or cause any investigation to be made into the activities of any student or students or any other person or persons as they relate to conduct involving bomb threats, firebombs, explosive materials, or other similar devices as described in subdivisions A 6 and 7 of § 22.1-279.3:1, alcohol or drug use or abuse in or related to the school or institution or in connection with any school or institution activity, or information that an individual poses any credible danger of serious bodily injury or death to one or more students, school personnel, or others on school property shall be immune from all civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as the result of the making of such a report, investigation, or disclosure.
§ 8.01-47.Immunity of persons investigating or reporting certain incidents at schools.
Chapter 3. Actions · Article 4. Defamation · Last amended 2022 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceImmunizes anyone who, in good faith, with reasonable cause, and without malice, reports or investigates school-related bomb threats, explosive devices, alcohol or drug activity, or credible threats of serious bodily injury or death from civil liability that might otherwise arise from making that report or conducting that investigation.
Full Text of § 8.01-47
Plain-English Summary
In addition to any other immunity a person may already have, this section immunizes anyone who, in good faith, with reasonable cause, and without malice, acts to report, investigate, or cause an investigation into the activities of a student or other person as they relate to bomb threats, firebombs, explosive materials, or similar devices described in § 22.1-279.3:1, alcohol or drug use or abuse in or related to the school, or information that an individual poses a credible danger of serious bodily injury or death to students, school personnel, or others on school property.
Meeting those conditions — good faith, reasonable cause, and the absence of malice — makes the person immune from all civil liability that might otherwise arise from making the report, conducting the investigation, or making the disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of school-related reports does this immunity cover?
Reports or investigations concerning bomb threats, firebombs, explosive materials, or similar devices; alcohol or drug use or abuse in or related to the school; and credible danger of serious bodily injury or death to students, school personnel, or others on school property.
What conditions must the reporter meet to get this immunity?
The report, investigation, or disclosure must be made in good faith, with reasonable cause, and without malice.
Does this immunity replace other legal protections a reporter might have?
No. The section states the immunity applies in addition to any other immunity the person may have.
Does this section protect someone who investigates a threat, or only someone who reports it?
Both. It covers a person who acts to report, to investigate, or to cause an investigation to be made.
Does malice on the reporter’s part defeat this immunity?
Yes. The immunity is conditioned on the report or investigation being made without malice, along with good faith and reasonable cause.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-631.1; 1972, c. 762; 1977, c. 617; 1982, c. 259; 1988, c. 159; 1995, c. 759; 2000, c. 79; 2001, cc. 688, 820; 2003, c. 954; 2013, c. 665; 2022, cc. 793, 794.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: virginia school threat reporting immunity8.01-47 immunity investigating school incidentsreporting bomb threat drug use school virginia lawgood faith immunity school investigation virginiava code civil liability protection school report