CHAPTER 289

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a new section numbered

_15-5.1, authorizing governing bodies of cities and towns to provide

for the reproduction of certain records and documents and the legal

status of reproductions thereof, and for the destruction of certain
records and papers.

[H 311]

Approved March 10, 1952

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding a section numbered
15-5.1 as follows:

§ 15-5.1. The governing body of any city or town is authorized to
provide for the photographing or microphotographing, or the recording by
any other process which accurately reproduces or forms a durable medium
for reproducing the original of all or any part of the papers, records,
documents or other material kept by or in charge of any department,
agency or institution of such city or town.

A reproduction thereof if substantially the same size as the original,
when satisfactorily identified, is as admissible in evidence as the original
itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding whether the original
is in existence or not and an enlargement or facsimile of such reproduc-
tion is likewise admissible in evidence if the original reproduction is in
existence and available for inspection under direction of court. The intro-
duction of a reproduced record, enlargement or facsimile, does not pre-
clude admission of the original.

Whenever photographs or microphotographs shall have been made
and put in conveniently accessible files, and provision has been made for
preserving, examining and using the same, the governing body of the city
or town may cause the records and papers so photographed or micropho-
tographed, or any part thereof, to be destroyed. Such governing body may,
in its discretion, consult with the city or town librarian with reference
to the advisability of destroying any such records, papers, documents or
other material] because of any historical significance or value.