HB1370, introduced by Delegate Karrie Delaney, prohibits medical providers from reporting medical debt to consumer reporting agencies.   VPLC supports this bill which has passed the House and a Senate committee. Why did Delegate Delaney introduce this bill and  Why is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau concerned about health care debt?  “The fact that the CFPB […]

Read the Black History Month Proclamation, signed by Governor Yougkin: WHEREAS, February is recognized and commemorated in the United States as Black History Month, and we recognize the people, historic events, and the cultural moments that have shaped American and world history and our society today; and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia at Fort Monroe […]

In honor of Black History Month, we’re sharing a list of twenty black attorneys who were truly the firsts of their time. Their fearless determination opened doors for many, for generations to come. by Angelica Cesario, Lawline Austin T. Walden In 1965, Austin T. Walden became the first black man appointed to a judgeship in […]

To download this sheet as a PDF, click here.

Help Get Rid of Zombie Mortgage Foreclosures HB 184 by Delegate Simon amends Virginia law concerning foreclosures. A second mortgage holder must detail what is owed and must prove they have sent monthly statements to the property owner to recover fees and interest covered by the period the mortgage appeared to be dead. To download […]

Make probate loans comply with the Virginia Fairness in Lending Act HB 648 by Del. Coyner deals with yet another attempt to evade the 2020 Virginia Fairness in Lending Act, which passed the House in a bipartisan 62-30 vote. VPLC believes that the Virginia General Assembly should determine what is a loan, not the company […]

Disclose all Mandatory Fees and Charges VPLC supports HB1320 (McClure) and SB388 (Pekarsky), which would require the disclosure of all mandatory fees and charges included in the advertised and displayed price of any good or service. This would create a clear, upfront picture of the total cost of a product. To download this fact sheet […]

Vote YES on House Bill 418 (Simon) The Virginia General Assembly passes laws to properly regulate marketplaces and protect individuals but many times those laws are not effectively enforced because government agencies may lack the necessary resources. Virginia and Mississippi are the only states in the country that do not allow class action lawsuits. Virginians […]

VPLC’s Jay Speer and Christie Marra appeared on Pod Virginia this week to discuss VPLC’s legislative agenda and advocacy around ending junk fees and protecting renters. Listen below or on Apple Podcasts:

Protect Virginia Consumers: Vote YES on SB 388 (Pekarsky) TAKE ACTION! Please contact the legislator who represents you in the House of Delegates and urge them to vote yes on SB 388. Tell them about the worst junk fees you have seen! This bill requires the disclosure of all mandatory fees and charges included in […]

Keep the Lights on for Virginians Experiencing Hard Times VPLC supports HB906 (Shin) and SB480 (Aird), which aim to introduce safeguards around utility shut-offs. Learn more about VPLC’s legislative agenda and get involved HERE. Update: This legislation has passed through the House, next it will be considered by the Senate. Legislative Overview Lower-income households spend […]

A proposal to incrementally increase the state’s minimum wage, from $12 to $15 hourly advanced through a Senate committee this week. The legislation, carried by Sen. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth, may fare well in both chambers, as Democrats now control both the Senate and House of Delegates. What it costs to live in Virginia “Economic […]

People are struggling to pay their rent, utilities, and buy food.  We see it everywhere.  Lack of affordable housing, lack of access to medical care, utility shutoffs.  The Commonwealth of Virginia is not doing enough to help people.  Into that gap come those that will exploit desperation– payday lenders, get rich quick con men and […]

Why are the payday lenders trying to destroy the CFPB? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a U.S. government agency that makes sure banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat you fairly. The CFPB was created in the wake of the 2008 recession when reckless financial practices by banks and other financial institutions nearly […]

It seems like scams are everywhere and sometimes it feels like there’s no way to avoid being taken advantage of by heartless scammers. Don’t worry – we’ve put together the top red flags to look for and things you can do to avoid being the victim of a scam! Scammers will often pretend to be […]

Why does the United States, the richest country on earth, have more poverty than any other advanced democracy? Because too many of us benefit from it, says Matthew Desmond, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Poverty, by America. Desmond makes a proposal for ending poverty in his talk Thursday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the […]

Update: New data indicates VEC performance is still among the worst in the nation. Watch the segment on WTVR here.   Top Tips for Unemployment Claims In the best of times, navigating the Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim and appeal process can be very confusing. However, with enduring delays and challenges from the pandemic, this confusing […]

In commemoration of Fair Housing Month, VPLC will host an open, online “Coffee Chat” conversation with housing attorneys on Tuesday, April 11 from 9 – 9:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend after registering here.  2023 marks 55 years since the landmark Fair Housing Act was signed into law. Under the leadership of President Lyndon […]

Our condolences are with the family of Karl Bren, a lifetime fair housing advocate and a VPLC Board member for decades. As a founding member of VPLC’s Advisory Council, Karl certainly felt like family to many of us here. He remains one of the best people I have ever known. Karl brought his brilliant mind, […]