CHAPTER 409

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 63-51, 63-56, 63-58, 68-61, 63-62, 63-64,
68-69, 63-71, 68-72, 68-78, 68-75 and 68-80 of the Code of Virginia,
relating to local boards of public welfare; to amend the Code of
Virginia by adding two new sections numbered 68-538.1 and 68-75.1,
so as to provide for optional types of boards in cities of the first
class and in two or more counties or a city and a county; and to
repeal § 68-63 of the Code of Virginia relating to local boards of
public welfare.

[(S 269]

Approved April 1, 1952

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 63-51, 63-56, 63-58, 63-61, 63-62, 63-64, 63-69, 63-71, 63-72,
63-73, 63-75 and 63-80 of the Code of Virginia be amended and reenacted,
and that the Code of Virginia be amended by adding §§ 63-53.1 and
63-75.1, as follows:

§ 63-51. There shall be a local board in each county and city of the
State, * but any combination of counties and cities may have one local
board for all if the governing body of the participating county or city so
elects. The provisions of §8§ 63-52, 63-53 and 63-53.1 notwithstanding, tf
the local board represents two or more counties and/or cities, there shall
be two members of the local board from each county or city; provided,
if a participating county or city has a population of thirty thousand or
more it shall be represented by three members on the board, and one
additional member for each fifteen thousand in excess of thirty thousand.
Administrative costs of a local board representing more than one county
or city shall be borne by the participating counties or cities as they may
agree. The term “local board” as used in this title shall mean a local board
representing one or more counties or cities.

§ 63-53.1. The local board in each city of the first class may be, at the
discretion of the city council, either the officer in charge of the department
or division of public welfare or a board consisting of three members ap-
pointed by the city council of such city. In the event the officer in charge
of the department or division of public welfare constitutes the local board,
the city council may, in its discretion, appoint a board, committee or com-
mission to serve in an advisory capacity to such officer with respect to the
duties and functions imposed upon him by the provisions of this title.

§ 63-56. The members of each such local board first appointed under
the provisions of this title shall be appointed one for a term of one year,
one for a term of two years, and one for a term of three years; provided,
that the members of a local board representing more than one county or
city shall be appointed for such terms, of not less than one nor more than
three years, as may be determined by the governing bodies of their respec-
tive counties and cities. Subsequent appointments shall be for a term of
three years each, except that appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the
unexpired terms.

§ 63-58. Two members of the local board of a county or city of the
second class, or of a city of the first class having a three member board,
shall constitute a quorum; provided, that a majority of the members of a
local board representing more than one county or city shall constitute a
quorum.

§ 63-61. The * clerk of the court shall immediately notify the mem-
bers of the * local board of their appointment, and such members shall,
within fifteen days after their notification, meet at some convenient place
and organize by electing a chairman and vice-chairman from among their
number. The * local board shall thereafter meet * monthly * and on other
occasions on call of the chairman, or in pursuance of action by the local
board. Provided, the governing body shall be responsible for notifying
members of boards appointed in accordance with § 63-53.1.

§ 63-62. Minutes of the attendance and of the transactions of all
peehngs of the local board shall be kept on file by the secretary of such

oard.

§ 63-64. The * local superintendent of public welfare, if one has been
appointed as hereinafter provided, shall act as secretary of his board. In
counties and cities where no such superintendent has been appointed, the
local board shall elect a secretary from among their number. The secre-
tary shall file a report of such organization signed by himself and the
chairman, with the clerk of * each county and city represented by the
board and with the State Board.

§ 63-69. The local boards shall submit quarterly and annually to the
boards of supervisors, councils and other governing bodies of their re-
spective counties and cities a budget, * containing an estimate and support-
ing data setting forth the amount of money needed to carry out the pro-
visions of this title, following which such budgets shall be forwarded to
the Commissioner.

§ 63-71. It shall be the duty of each * local board of public welfare,
by personal visitation or otherwise, to keep itself fully advised of the con-
ditions and management of all institutions of a charitable or penal nature
in * the county, * city or other area served by it, and to that end shall
have full authority to inspect such institutions and shall be given full
access to the accounts and records thereof.

§ 63-72. It shall be the duty of each * local board to interest itself
in all matters pertaining to the social welfare of the people of * the county,
* city or other area served by it, to direct the activities of the superin-
tendent of public welfare, where there is one, and to cooperate with the
juvenile and domestic relations courts and all other agencies operating for
the social betterment of the * community.

§ 63-73. Any * local board of public welfare shall have the right to
accept for placement in suitable family homes or institutions, subject to
the supervision of the Commissioner and in accordance with rules pre-
scribed by the State Board, such persons under eighteen years of age as
may be entrusted to it by the parent, guardian or other person having
legal custody thereof, or committed by any court of competent jurisdic-
tion. Such local board of public welfare shall, in accordance with the rules
prescribed by the State Board and in accordance with the parental agree-
ment or court order by which such person is entrusted or committed to its
care, have custody and control of the person so entrusted or committed
and accepted until he is lawfully discharged, has been adopted or has
attained his majority.

§ 63-75. Subject to the personnel standards and rules and regulations
of the State Board the local board in each county and city or combination
thereof shall appoint a superintendent of public welfare, referred to in
this title as a “local superintendent’’.

§ 63-75.1. Two or more counties, or a city and a county, or any com-
bination thereof, may unite in providing for a local superintendent of pub-
lic welfare, and the expenses incident to such employment may be divided
in such manner as the respective governing bodies may agree upon.

§ 63-80. Each * local superintendent of public welfare shall be the
executive officer of the local board appointing him.

2. That § 63.63 of the Code of Virginia is repealed.