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 HB 449.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 11Governor's recommendation received by SenateLatest
- Mar 10Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 10Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026Minor
- Feb 24Signed by PresidentMajor
- Feb 24Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Feb 24Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB229)
- Feb 24Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB229ER)Major
- Feb 24EnrolledMinor
- Feb 23Passed House (64-Y 33-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Read third timeMinor
- Feb 20Read second timeMinor
- Feb 18Reported from Courts of Justice (15-Y 7-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Feb 17Read first timeMinor
- Feb 17Placed on Calendar
- Feb 11Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 10Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)Major
- Feb 10Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to
- Feb 10Read second timeMinor
- Feb 9Passed by for the day
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 9Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- Feb 9Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Feb 9Rules suspended
- Feb 5Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Finance and Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 23Committee substitute printed 26105720D-S1Major
- Jan 21Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 21Courts of Justice Substitute
- Jan 11Introduced bill reprinted 26104685D
- Jan 11Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Jan 11Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104685DIntroduced