VirginiaHB10222026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Consumer protection; automatic renewal or continuous service offers, disclosure and cancellation.

Sponsored By: Atoosa R. Reaser (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Consumer protection; automatic renewal or continuous service offers; disclosure and cancellation. Amends certain definitions related to automatic renewal or continuous service offers, including the definition of "clear and conspicuous" as it relates to seller disclosures and requirements to provide a simple cancellation mechanism. The bill replaces the term "supplier" in current provisions with "seller" and provides a definition for such term. The bill requires sellers to provide a cancellation mechanism that is at least as easy to use as the mechanism used to initiate the automatic renewal or continuous service offer, and includes additional requirements for providing such cancellation mechanism. Under the bill, certain businesses are no longer exempt from disclosure and cancellation requirements for automatic renewal or continuous service offers, and a violation of the provision constitutes a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. This bill is identical to SB 493.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Some industries exempt from auto-renewal rules

Certain regulated services are not covered by these auto‑renewal rules. Exempt groups include regulated utilities and services under local franchises, services overseen by the state commission, the FCC, or FERC, banks and credit unions, regulated alarm companies, some home protection and service contract providers, insurers, and registered health clubs. These entities do not have to follow this chapter’s auto‑renewal requirements.

Clear terms and consent for subscriptions

The law requires sellers to show all subscription terms and the total price, including mandatory fees, before you agree. They must get your clear yes before charging your card, and give you a keepable receipt with the terms and how to cancel. Free trials must include how to cancel before you are charged. Disclosures must be clear and easy to see or hear in any format. If a seller ships goods without your required consent, you can keep them as a free gift and owe nothing.

Easy cancellation and renewal reminders

Sellers must offer simple, low-cost ways to cancel, like a toll-free number or an online button. Canceling must be at least as easy as signing up, and phone cancellations during business hours must be handled promptly and be free. Online sellers must provide a clear online cancel option. For free trials longer than 30 days, the seller must notify you within 30 days after the trial ends that you can cancel to avoid charges. For renewals that extend service beyond 12 months and renew after more than 30 days, you get a reminder 30–60 days before the deadline, and sellers must also give advance notice before any material change with how to cancel.

Small businesses get consumer protections

Qualifying small businesses count as consumers under this law. That brings their purchases and auto-renewals under the same disclosure, consent, and cancellation rules as individuals. A small business is at least 51% independently owned and controlled and has 250 or fewer employees or average yearly receipts of $10 million or less over the last three years. For some cooperatives, members controlling 51% must be U.S. citizens or lawful residents.

Good-faith shield for sellers

Violations are enforced under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. But a seller that makes a good‑faith effort to follow these rules is not subject to civil penalties or damages under the cited sections.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Atoosa R. Reaser

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 382 • No: 104

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 3/9/2026

Senate substitute rejected by House

Yes: 1 • No: 96

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 91 • No: 4

House vote 2/12/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s)

Yes: 17 • No: 3

House vote 2/12/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 6 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0931)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 931 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1022)

    4/3/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1022ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Conference report agreed to by House (96-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  11. Conference report agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026Senate
  12. Substitute bill reprinted 26109696D

    3/13/2026House
  13. Conference Report released

    3/13/2026
  14. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  15. Senate Conferees: Pekarsky, Williams Graves, Jordan

    3/12/2026Senate
  16. House Conferees: Reaser, Feggans, McLaughlin

    3/11/2026House
  17. Conferees appointed by House

    3/11/2026House
  18. House acceded to request

    3/11/2026House
  19. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  20. Senate requested conference committee

    3/10/2026Senate
  21. Senate substitute rejected by House (1-Y 96-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026House
  22. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  23. Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

    3/5/2026Senate
  24. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/5/2026Senate
  25. Read third time

    3/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation