VirginiaCivil actions filed on behalf of multiple persons; class actions.
What it does
Civil actions filed on behalf of multiple persons; class actions; violations of Virginia Consumer Protection Act; award of damages. Provides that one or more members of a class may, as representative parties on behalf of all members, bring a civil action or may be proceeded against in a civil action, provided that (i) the class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable, (ii) there are questions of law or fact common to the class, (iii) the claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of the claims or defenses of the class, and (iv) the representative parties shall fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. The bill further sets out the procedure to certify a class action, the duties of counsel appointed in a class action, the various orders a court may issue during the course of a class action, and the process by which a settlement, voluntary dismissal, or compromise may occur.
More detail
The bill also applies the procedure by which an individual may be awarded damages in an action for a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act to a class action. Finally, the bill permits the Court of Appeals to permit an appeal to be taken from an order certifying a class in accordance with the provisions of the bill or any other order that is not a final order of the circuit court in a class action. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. This bill is identical to SB 229.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 11Governor's recommendation received by HouseLatest
- Mar 14Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 14Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026Minor
- Mar 12Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 11Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 11Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB449)
- Mar 11Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB449ER)Major
- Mar 11EnrolledMinor
- Mar 4Passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Read third timeMinor
- Mar 3Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Reported from Finance and Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 3Rules suspended
- Mar 3Reported from Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)Minor
- Feb 24Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB449)
- Feb 18Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 17Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB449)
- Feb 4Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Feb 4Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 3Read third time and passed House (64-Y 34-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 2Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 2committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 2Read second timeMinor
- Jan 30Read first timeMinor
- Jan 28Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (14-Y 6-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 26Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)Major
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 26House subcommittee offered
- Jan 22Assigned HCJ sub: CivilMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Jan 12Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105384DIntroduced