# Virginia HB444: Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act; established.

Virginia HB444, Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act; established., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Marcus B. Simon (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-08 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0395)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB444-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB444
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act; established.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-12
- Last action: 2026-04-08, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0395)
- Sponsor: Marcus B. Simon (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 9 (269 yes, 45 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 4

## Summary

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.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Stronger proof and warnings in debt suits: benefit, medium. 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…
- Which debt cases this law covers: benefit, low. 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…
- You cannot waive these protections: benefit, low. 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.
- When and how courts apply it: benefit, low. 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.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Marcus B. Simon (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-04 | House | Senate amendments agreed to by House | pass | 75 | 21 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | Passed Senate with amendments | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-27 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-27 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) | pass | 37 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-25 | Senate | Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments | pass | 14 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026-02-17 | House | Read third time and passed House | pass | 76 | 21 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | House | Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute | pass | 20 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-04 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | 7 | 1 |   |

## Actions (35)

- 2026-04-08: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0395) (Governor)
- 2026-04-08: Approved by Governor-Chapter395 (Effective 7/1/2027) (Governor)
- 2026-03-17: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB444) (House)
- 2026-03-14: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-14: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 (House)
- 2026-03-12: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-11: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB444ER) (House)
- 2026-03-11: Enrolled (House)
- 2026-03-11: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Senate amendments agreed to by House (75-Y 21-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-02: Passed Senate with amendments (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Engrossed by Senate as amended (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Read third time (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (14-Y 0-N 1-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate)
- 2026-02-17: Read third time and passed House (76-Y 21-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-16: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-02-16: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-02-16: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-13: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-12: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB444) (House)
- 2026-02-11: Committee substitute printed 26107114D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-11: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (20-Y 2-N) (House)
- 2026-02-04: House subcommittee offered (House)
- 2026-02-04: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 1-N) (House)
- 2026-02-02: Assigned HCJ sub: Civil (House)
- 2026-01-23: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB444) (House)
- 2026-01-12: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (House)
- 2026-01-12: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101027D (House)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-08: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1217619.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1217618.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209995.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209994.PDF)
- Amendment, 2026-03-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1189056.HTML)
- Amendment, 2026-02-27: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1186691.HTML)
- Amendment, 2026-02-25: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181313.HTML)
- Substitute, 2026-02-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142389.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142388.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127645.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127761.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127644.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127760.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084467.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084466.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1217619.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1217618.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209995.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209994.PDF)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1189056.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1186691.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181313.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142389.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142388.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127645.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127761.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127644.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127760.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084467.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084466.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB444-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).