# Virginia SB177: Va. Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices, consumer reproductive/sexual health information.

Virginia SB177, Va. Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices, consumer reproductive/sexual health information., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Barbara A. Favola (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-08 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0487)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-06).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB177-2026
- As of: 2026-11-06
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB177
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Va. Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices, consumer reproductive/sexual health information.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-09
- Last action: 2026-04-08, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0487)
- Sponsor: Barbara A. Favola (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 8 (211 yes, 7 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 25

## Summary

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices; consumer reproductive or sexual health information. Provides that, for the Virginia Consumer Protection Act prohibition on obtaining, disclosing, selling, or disseminating any personally identifiable reproductive or sexual health information without consumer consent, such prohibition does not apply to nonpublic personal information subject to the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Easy online canceling and trial reminders: benefit, medium. Sellers must offer a clear online way to cancel recurring purchases. For free trials longer than 30 days, they must tell you about the option to cancel within 30 days of the trial’s end to avoid charges. Not following these rules violates the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
- Fair billing and clear store policies: benefit, medium. Repair shops cannot claim work or parts were done when they were not. Businesses cannot send fake invoices that look like bills for orders you did not make. Stores must post clear return rules and any fees, and show layaway terms in writing, on a sign, or on the bill of sale. If you overpay an open…
- Medical debt abuses covered by the Consumer Protection Act: benefit, medium. Beginning July 1, 2026, breaking the Medical Debt Protection Act is also a Consumer Protection Act violation. Patients harmed by unlawful medical debt practices can use Consumer Protection Act remedies after that date.
- More consumer laws now enforceable: benefit, medium. Breaking several state consumer laws is now also a Consumer Protection Act violation. Examples include the Extended Service Contract Act, the Membership Camping Act, the Travel Club Act, and the Comparison Price Advertising Act. It also covers other listed chapters in Title 59.1, including §§ 59.1‑…
- See the full price upfront: benefit, medium. Suppliers must tell you the total price before you agree to buy. The total must include all required fees and charges for a good or any ongoing service. This stops surprise add-on fees and makes prices clear.
- Stronger privacy for sensitive health data: benefit, medium. Businesses cannot collect, share, sell, or give out your personal reproductive or sexual health information without your consent. If you ask in writing, a business cannot use your Social Security number as your account number. These rules protect sensitive data and reduce identity risk.
- Stronger protections on loans and credit: benefit, medium. Breaking rules in several Virginia lending and credit laws is now also a Consumer Protection Act violation. This includes multiple chapters of Title 6.2 and § 6.2‑312. Consumers and the Attorney General can use Consumer Protection Act remedies to stop violations and seek relief.
- Stronger safety rules for THC products: benefit, medium. Sellers cannot offer products to eat or inhale that contain synthetic THC, unless FDA‑approved or allowed under Virginia cannabis law. Any THC product for people must use child‑resistant packaging and clear English labels at least 1/16‑inch high that say it contains THC and is not for sale to under…
- Stronger THC safeguards for youth: benefit, medium. Retailers cannot sell any THC product meant to be eaten or inhaled to people under 21. FDA-approved drugs and conduct allowed under Title 4.1, Chapter 16 are exempt. Makers and stores also cannot sell hemp extracts or THC foods shaped like people, animals, vehicles, or fruit.
- Truth in ads and product claims: benefit, medium. Businesses must tell the truth in ads and labels. They cannot use bait‑and‑switch or refuse to sell at the advertised price unless a clear limit was shown. They cannot lie about who made a product, where it is from, what it contains, or its grade or model. Ads must say when items are used, defectiv…
- Auto-renewal protections for small businesses: benefit, medium. If you own a small business and buy an auto‑renewing or continuous service, the Consumer Protection Act now covers that sale. You can use the Act’s remedies if a supplier wrongly auto‑renews or charges you. The rule applies when the buyer meets the small‑business definition in § 59.1‑207.45.
- Broader reach for consumer protection law: benefit, medium. Breaking several listed laws now also breaks the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. This includes the Unfair Real Estate Service Agreement Act (§ 55.1-3200 et seq.), Chapter 58 (§ 59.1-607 et seq.), Chapter 23.2 (§ 59.1-293.10 et seq.), and § 2.2-2001.5. Willful violations of § 59.1-444.4 also count…
- Clear labels for hemp, kratom, foods: benefit, low. Topical hemp products must be labeled “not for human consumption.” FDA‑approved items and items made before July 1, 2023 are exempt if the maker shows proof when asked. Sellers cannot sell kratom to anyone under 21. Kratom labels must list all ingredients and this message: “This product may be harm…
- Consumer Act covers unlicensed professionals: benefit, low. Unlicensed practice by regulated professionals is now a Consumer Protection Act violation. Violations of § 54.1‑111 and of Chapters 5.2 and 40 of Title 54.1, and violating clause (i) of § 54.1‑1115(B), are covered. Consumers can use the Act’s remedies against unlicensed or rule‑breaking providers.
- More buyer, housing, and privacy protections: benefit, low. More laws now carry Consumer Protection Act remedies. Examples include warranty and pricing rules (§ 8.2‑317.1), knowing violations of § 8.01‑27.5, housing‑related rules in § 36‑96.3:1(F), and privacy rules in § 8.01‑40.2. It also covers Chapter 34.1 of Title 59.1, Chapter 10.1 of Title 58.1, and s…
- More health-care rules now enforceable: benefit, low. Breaking certain health‑care laws is now also a Consumer Protection Act violation. This includes violating § 32.1‑126(E) and rules in Article 7 of Title 32.1. Patients can use the Act’s remedies, and the Attorney General can enforce.
- More laws now enforced by the Consumer Protection Act: benefit, low. More rules now count as Consumer Protection Act violations, including certain animal‑sale rules, professional‑conduct rules, § 59.1‑443.2, Chapter 48 of Title 59.1, and Chapter 25 of Title 6.2. The Attorney General and consumers can use Consumer Protection Act tools for those breaches.
- More services under the Consumer Protection Act: benefit, low. Violations by health clubs, home‑solicitation sellers, auto repair shops, lease‑purchase providers, prize and gift promoters, and motor‑vehicle warranty adjusters are now Consumer Protection Act violations. You can use the Act’s remedies when these laws are broken.
- No selling recalled children's products: benefit, low. Suppliers cannot sell or make a children's product they know was recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If the recall notice was on the CPSC website for 30 days before the sale, the seller is presumed to know. This rule does not cover used, secondhand, or 'seconds' products.
- Phone and pricing violations under the Consumer Protection Act: benefit, low. Breaking the Public Telephone Information Act, the Pay‑Per‑Call Services Act, or state pricing rules is now a Consumer Protection Act violation. Consumers can seek Consumer Protection Act remedies for deceptive phone services or wrong price displays.
- Stronger remedies for fraud and scams: benefit, low. If someone commits certain fraud‑related crimes, the conduct is also a Consumer Protection Act violation. This covers listed criminal statutes such as obtaining money by false pretenses and taking advance payments for construction fraud, and § 18.2‑239. Victims can seek civil remedies in addition t…
- Tougher action on disaster price gouging: benefit, low. Charging unlawful high prices after a disaster now also violates the Consumer Protection Act. The law uses the same meaning of “consumer transaction” as in the Post‑Disaster Anti‑Price Gouging Act. This gives the Attorney General and consumers extra tools to stop gouging and get relief.
- Vehicle law violations now enforceable: benefit, low. Breaking certain motor vehicle laws (§§ 46.2‑1231 and 46.2‑1233.1) is now also a Consumer Protection Act violation. Car buyers and the Attorney General can use the Act to seek refunds or other fixes.
- Tighter rules on interlock ads: benefit, low. Only vendors approved by the state Commission may advertise ignition interlock systems in Virginia. Ads cannot target people before a court decides guilt. All ads must clearly say they are not from a government agency. Commission-approved pamphlets or kiosk materials at approved sites are allowed.
- Safer home repairs and emergency work: mixed, medium. Home mold remediators must hold a recognized certification and follow EPA or ANSI standards. Suppliers cannot sell or use drywall they know is defective in home work; this does not apply to selling a building where it is already installed. During declared emergencies or related repairs, suppliers c…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Barbara A. Favola (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-27 | House | Passed House | pass | 88 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | House | Reported from General Laws | pass | 20 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-19 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting | pass | 10 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-27 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-26 | Senate | Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-23 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-23 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-21 | Senate | Reported from General Laws and Technology | pass | 15 | 0 |   |

## Actions (31)

- 2026-04-08: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0487) (Governor)
- 2026-04-08: Approved by Governor-Chapter 487 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB177) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB177ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-02-27: Passed House (88-Y 7-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-27: Read third time (House)
- 2026-02-27: Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-26: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB177) (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-24: Reported from General Laws (20-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-02-19: Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-02-16: Assigned HGL sub: Housing/Consumer Protection (House)
- 2026-02-03: Referred to Committee on General Laws (House)
- 2026-02-03: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-03: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-01-27: Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Engrossed by Senate (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-01-23: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-01-23: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-01-23: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2026-01-23: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-01-21: Reported from General Laws and Technology (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-09: Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology (Senate)
- 2026-01-09: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104559D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-08: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1218235.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1218234.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188666.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188665.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1083663.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1083662.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB20: Minimum wage; farm laborers or farm employees, temporary foreign workers. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB128: Covenants not to compete; includes health care professionals, civil penalty. (signed)
- HB1444: Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank; created, report, membership. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1218235.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1218234.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188666.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188665.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1083663.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1083662.PDF)

## Related
- [HB20: Minimum wage; farm laborers or farm employees, temporary foreign workers.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB20-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB128: Covenants not to compete; includes health care professionals, civil penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB128-2026)
- [HB1444: Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank; created, report, membership.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1444-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB177-2026 (as of 2026-11-06).