CHAPTER 303

An Act to amend and reenact § 15.1-8 of the Code of Virginia, relating to
reproductions of records and documents and legal status thereof; de-
struction of originals.

[H 564]

Approved March 31, 1966

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

Aiea § 15.1-8 of the Code of Virginia be amended and reenacted as
ollows:

§ 15.1-8. The governing body of any county, city or town is au-
thorized 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 pa-
pers, records, documents or other material kept by or in charge of any
department, agency or institution of such county, 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 reproduction
is likewise admissible in evidence if the original reproduction is in existence
and available for inspection under direction of the court. The introduction
of a reproduced record, enlargement or facsimile, does not preclude admis-
sion of the original.

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

With the approval of the judge of the circuit court of the county en-
tered of record, the clerk, and the clerk of the county court may, if directed
so to do by the county governing body, microphotograph records in * thetr
respective offices which are not required for current use. No record 80
microphotographed shall be destroyed but may be stored in a safe plac
The microphotograph or a certified copy thereof shall be of the same for
and effect as the original record.