HB449Introduced in the House of Delegates
Civil actions filed on behalf of multiple persons; class actions.
Introduced by Marcus Simon, District 13
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
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. 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.
Where it stands
Vetoed by Governor
May 19, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A) · March 4, 2026
22
Yes
18
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | No |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | No |
| Chris Head | 3 | No |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | No |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | No |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | No |
| William Stanley | 7 | No |
| Mark Peake | 8 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105384D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (14-Y 6-N)
Read first time
Read second time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Read third time and passed House (64-Y 34-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB449)
Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB449)
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB449)
Signed by President
Enrolled
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Governor's recommendation received by House
Passed by for the day
Passed by for the day
Communicated to Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026
Governor's Veto Received by House
Vetoed by Governor
Verify the information
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