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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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HB984 • 2026

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; cash payments, discrimination prohibited, penalty.

<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to amend and reenact § 59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 60, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-614 through 59.1-616, relating to Virginia Consumer Protection Act; cash payments; discrimination prohibited; penalty.</p>

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Garrett
Last action
2026-02-18
Official status
Failed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for violations.

Virginia Law Against Cash Payment Discrimination

This law stops businesses from refusing to accept cash or charging more when people pay with cash, and it adds new rules about this to the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

What This Bill Does

  • It says that stores cannot refuse to take cash as payment for things they sell.
  • Stores are not allowed to put up signs saying they do not accept cash.
  • If a store charges more when someone pays with cash, it is breaking this law.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Retail stores and businesses that sell things to customers.
  • Customers who pay for goods or services in retail stores.

Terms To Know

Virginia Consumer Protection Act
A law that protects people from unfair business practices when they buy things or use services.
Retail sale
When a store sells goods directly to customers for personal use, not for resale.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the penalties for violating its provisions.
  • It is unclear how the new rules will be enforced or who will enforce them.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB984AHC1

2026-02-05

Labor and Commerce Amendment

Plain English: The amendment changes the Virginia Consumer Protection Act to add new rules about cash payments and discrimination.

  • Adds a rule prohibiting discrimination against customers who pay with cash at certain types of retail establishments.
  • The exact details of how this change will be enforced or what penalties might apply are not specified in the amendment text.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-18 House

    Left in Labor and Commerce

  2. 2026-02-05 Subcommittee #2

    Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 2-N)

  3. 2026-02-05 Subcommittee #2

    House subcommittee offered

  4. 2026-02-03 House

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB984)

  5. 2026-01-22 Subcommittee #2

    Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2

  6. 2026-01-13 House

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104230D

  7. 2026-01-13 Labor and Commerce

    Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

Official Summary Text

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; cash payments; discrimination prohibited; penalty.
Prohibits a supplier from discriminating against cash as a payment for a retail sale, including by refusing to accept cash as a form of payment, posting signs on business premises that cash payment is not accepted, or charging a higher price to consumers who pay with cash. The bill includes certain exceptions to such prohibition and provides that a violation of its provisions constitutes a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB 984

SUBCOMMITTEE

1. Line 268, introduced, after
expenses;

strike

or

SUBCOMMITTEE

2. Line 271, introduced, after
sale

insert

;
or

4. To a retail sale at a retail establishment that does not have an individual accepting payment in person for retail sales