# Virginia HB638: Data brokers; regulation, civil penalties.

Virginia HB638, Data brokers; regulation, civil penalties., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Michelle Lopes Maldonado (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2026-02-09 (Continued to 2027 in Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote)) (as of 2026-10-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB638-2026
- As of: 2026-10-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB638
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Data brokers; regulation, civil penalties.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-02-09, Continued to 2027 in Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote)
- Sponsor: Michelle Lopes Maldonado (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Technology and Innovation
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (0 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Regulation of data brokers; civil penalties. Prohibits a person from acquiring personally identifiable information, defined in the bill, through fraudulent means or acquiring and using such information for the purpose of (i) stalking or harassing another person; (ii) committing a fraud, including identity theft, financial fraud, or email fraud; or (iii) engaging in unlawful discrimination, including employment discrimination or housing discrimination. The bill requires a data broker, defined in the bill, to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive information security program that includes certain features and technical elements. The bill also requires a data broker operating in the Commonwealth, beginning on December 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, to register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The bill provides that a violation of its provisions constitutes a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Michelle Lopes Maldonado (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-09 | House | Continued to 2027 in Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-04 | House | Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2027 (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |

## Actions (6)

- 2026-02-09: Continued to 2027 in Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2026-02-04: House subcommittee offered (House)
- 2026-02-04: Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2027 (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2026-01-26: Assigned HST sub: Technology and Innovation (House)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation (House)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105301D (House)

## Bill text

- Substitute, 2026-02-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115810.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115809.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085307.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085306.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
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115810.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115809.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085307.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085306.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-HB638-2026 (as of 2026-10-11).