Chap. 99.—An ACT providing when the defense of death by suicide can
be made in any action, motion, or suit on life insurance policies.

(H. B. 83.)
Approved March 1, 1916.

1. Be it enacted by the general assemblv of Virginia, That
in any action, motion or suit on a policy of life insurance here-
after issued to any person residing or being in this State at the
time, or which is otherwise subject to the laws of this State, it
shall be no defense that the insured committed suicide or was
put to death by execution under the law, unless there be in the
body of the policy an express limitation or provision to the
contrary, in which event such limitation or provision, if other-
wise valid, shall apply.

2. If, however, in any action, motion or suit on such policy
of life insurance, it be shown to the satisfaction of the court or
jury trying the case that the insured intended suicide at the
time he applied for the pclicy, and that he afterwards actually
carried out said intention, then there shall be no recovery on
said policy.

3. No provision in any such policy of life insurance to the
effect that it shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
some other place shall prevent or circumscribe the application
of this act.

4. This act shall also apply in actions, motions and suits
brought on contracts of life insurance heretofore issued, pro-
vided the language of the contract is sufficiently comprehensive
to embrace death by suicide, or death by legal execution.