HB55: English; designating as official language of State.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 1-511 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 1-511. English designated the official language of the Commonwealth.

A. English shall be designated as the official language of the Commonwealth. Except as provided by federal law, no state agency or local government shall be required to provide and no state agency or local government shall be prohibited from or otherwise assist in providing any documents, information, literature or other written materials in any language other than English.

B.  Nothing contained in subsection A shall be construed to prohibit any state agency or local government from providing or assisting in the provision of any documents, information, literature or other written materials in any language other than English in connection with:

1.  Foreign language instruction,

2.  The administration of justice in the courts of the Commonwealth,

3.  Law-enforcement purposes, or

4.  The provision of health care services.