All Roll Calls
Yes: 269 • No: 45
Sponsored By: Marcus B. Simon (Democratic)
Became Law
Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act established. Creates the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act for the award of a default judgment in actions for the collection of certain consumer debts, defined in the bill as an obligation or alleged obligation of an individual to pay money that arises out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or service that is the subject of the transaction is primarily for a personal, family, or household purpose. The bill provides that a default judgment in such actions shall only be entered if the warrant in debt or civil action to recover a consumer debt includes certain statements and the required notice to the consumer, as described in the bill. Finally, the bill directs the Office of the Executive Secretary to promulgate a form for the consumer notice provisions created by the bill. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.
Personalized for You
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.
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Beginning July 1, 2027, a court can enter a default judgment in a consumer debt case only if the creditor provides detailed facts and proof. The complaint must list your name and address on file, the creditor’s name, the last four digits of the account, your last payment date and amount, the charge‑off or default date, and an itemized amount owed. The creditor must attach at least one document that proves the debt, and show authority to collect if they are not the original creditor. A separate, official consumer notice must be attached that warns you to answer or appear, shows the judgment amount, explains it can last at least 10 years with interest, and lists collection methods like sale of real property, writs, attachment, and garnishment, plus legal help contacts. Certain notices cannot be delivered electronically.
Beginning July 1, 2027, these rules cover default judgments to collect unpaid consumer debts. They apply to unsecured debts, money‑judgment‑only suits on secured debts, and deficiency balances after property is sold. They do not apply to cases brought only to take or dispose of property, or when a government is the plaintiff. The law defines key terms so courts and parties apply the rules the same way.
Beginning July 1, 2027, any contract or waiver that tries to remove these consumer protections is void. You can still make a voluntary settlement or a judgment that is not a default judgment. These rules add to, and do not replace, other rights you already have under Virginia law.
Beginning July 1, 2027, courts apply these rules statewide in covered cases. Courts also aim to keep decisions in line with other states that use the same act. This promotes consistent and predictable results.
Marcus B. Simon
Democratic • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 269 • No: 45
House vote • 3/4/2026
Senate amendments agreed to by House
Yes: 75 • No: 21
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Passed Senate with amendments
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)
Yes: 37 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments
Yes: 14 • No: 0 • Other: 1
House vote • 2/17/2026
Read third time and passed House
Yes: 76 • No: 21
House vote • 2/11/2026
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute
Yes: 20 • No: 2
House vote • 2/4/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute
Yes: 7 • No: 1
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0395)
Approved by Governor-Chapter395 (Effective 7/1/2027)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB444)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Signed by Speaker
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB444ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Senate amendments agreed to by House (75-Y 21-N 0-A)
Passed Senate with amendments (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
Engrossed by Senate as amended
Read third time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Senate committee offered
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (14-Y 0-N 1-A)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Read third time and passed House (76-Y 21-N 0-A)
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
committee substitute agreed to
Read second time
Chaptered
4/8/2026
Enrolled
3/13/2026
Amendment
3/2/2026
Amendment
2/27/2026
Amendment
2/25/2026
Substitute
2/11/2026
Substitute
2/4/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
SB767 — Motor vehicles; glass repair and replacement, emissions inspections, penalties, repeals.
Motor vehicle glass repair and replacement; emissions inspection; penalties. Establishes various notice requirements for motor vehicle glass repair shops, defined in the bill, and provides that a violation of such requirements is a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. The bill permits a motor vehicle to qualify for an emissions inspection waiver if such vehicle has failed an inspection and the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system is in a not-ready condition to be tested when presented for reinspection. This bill is identical to HB 312.
SB803 — Virginia Fair Housing Law; regulations defining terms related to unlawful conduct.
Virginia Fair Housing Law; unlawful conduct. Directs the Fair Housing Board to promulgate regulations defining "quid pro quo harassment," "hostile environment harassment," and other terms related to unlawful conduct under the Virginia Fair Housing Law. The bill directs the Fair Housing Board to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill.
SB731 — Private companies providing public transportation services; employee protections.
Private companies providing public transportation services; employee protections; report. Requires the governing body of any county or city that contracts with a private company to provide transportation services to (i) require such company to provide any employee of such company providing such services compensation and benefits that are, at a minimum, equivalent to the compensation and benefits provided to a public employee, as defined in the bill, with a position requiring equivalent qualifications and years of service; (ii) provide transportation services through such company's own employees; and (iii) if such county or city subsequently elects to provide its own system of public transportation, adopt an ordinance or resolution providing for collective bargaining and ensure all employees of such private company are offered employment with such subsequent public transportation system without loss of compensation or benefits. The bill clarifies that the bill only applies to actions occurring on or after the effective date and excludes any action taken, contract signed, liability incurred, or right accrued prior to July 1, 2026, from the requirements. Finally, the bill directs the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to convene a work group to develop recommendations on how to implement the provisions of the bill and requires the work group to report its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce and Senate Committee on Local Government by November 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 547.
SB620 — Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc.
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers; purchase, possession, and sale of retail tobacco products; penalties; report. Transitions and provides a more comprehensive structure for the current licensing and enforcement responsibilities related to liquid nicotine and retail tobacco products from the Department of Taxation to a permitting system administered by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. The bill requires the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage and Control Authority to conduct an unannounced buyer operation at least once every 24 months to verify that a permittee, defined in the bill, is not selling retail tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age. Portions of the bill have a delayed effective date of October 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 308.
SB666 — Residential land development and construction; fee transparency, local housing development.
Department of Housing and Community Development; housing development database. Requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to collect from each locality and make available to the public, localities, state agencies, and other state and regional public entities in a centralized, machine-readable, screen reader compatible database various data for each new and existing housing development in each locality in the Commonwealth, including data related to the number of housing development plans submitted and approved by the locality and the average approval timeline for housing development plans.
SB599 — Va. Opioid Use Red. & Jail-Based Substance Use Disorder Trtmt. and Transition Fund; grant procedure.
Virginia Opioid Use Reduction and Jail-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Transition Fund; grant procedures. Requires the grant procedure to govern funds awarded to local and regional jails for the planning or operation of substance use disorder treatment services and transition services for persons with substance use disorder who are incarcerated in local and regional jails to include requirements that (i) any grant awarded shall be made for up to three years and (ii) an applicant for a grant submit a plan demonstrating how such applicant will become independently financially viable within the time period for which the grant is awarded. This bill is a recommendation of the Joint Commission on Health Care and is identical to HB 455.