§ 9.1-159. Creation of McGruff House Program; duties of Department
The symbol of "McGruff" with the phrase "McGruff House" shall be the symbol used to designate a house in the Commonwealth where a child who is abused, neglected or otherwise emotionally or physically in danger may seek refuge and assistance.
The Department shall adopt a standard symbol to be used throughout the Commonwealth which is the same as or substantially similar to the McGruff House symbol in use in other states. The Department shall establish by regulation appropriate procedures governing (i) qualifications and criteria for designation as a McGruff House and participants' duties and responsibilities, including the reporting of incidents to the local law-enforcement agency and department of social services' child-protective services program, (ii) programs to publicize the McGruff House Program, (iii) dissemination of the McGruff House symbol to day-care centers, schools, and law-enforcement agencies, (iv) designation and registration of McGruff Houses with, and monitoring and periodic review of such houses by, local law-enforcement agencies, and (v) coordination of the program with the child-protective services component of the local department of social services.
Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of a symbol other than "McGruff" by a locality which currently has some other safe house program in existence and operation.
(1994, cc. 60, 868, § 9-173.17; 2001, c. 844.)
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