CHAPTER 23

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding thereto a new section
mumbered 15.1-19.1 to authorize the governing bodies of towns to
employ counsel to defend such governing bodies, the members thereof
and town officers and employees in certain instances and to provide
for the payment of costs and expenses.

[H 71]

Approved February 13, 1968

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding thereto a new
section numbered 15.1-19.1 as follows:

§ 15.1-19.1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the gov-
erning body of any town may employ the town attorney or other counsel
approved by such governing body to defend it, or any member thereof, or
any town officer or employee, in any legal proceeding to which such gov-
erning body, or any member thereof, or any town officer or employee may
be a defendant, when such proceeding is instituted against it, or against
any member thereof, or against any town officer or employee by virtue of
any actions in furtherance of its duties as a town council or the duties
of a member thereof or the duties of a town officer or employee.

All costs and expenses of proceedings so defended shall be a charge
against the town treasury, and shall be paid out of funds provided therefor
by the governing body of such town.