2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26103340D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1262

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 59.1-200.2, relating to Virginia Consumer Protection Act; advertisement for immigration assistance services; civil penalties.

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Patrons—Glass, Lopez, Callsen, Cohen, Cousins, Feggans, Martinez and Tran

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Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 59.1-200.2 as follows:

§ 59.1-200.2. Advertisements for immigration assistance services; required notice; civil penalties.

A. Any person, firm, corporation, or association that offers, publishes, or otherwise places before the public through signage, in a newspaper or other publications, or in the form of a book, notice, handbill, poster, blueprint, map, bill, tag, label, circular, pamphlet, or letter or in any other way an advertisement for immigration assistance services shall conspicuously post or include the following notice in English and in any other language in which the advertisement is disseminated: "The person, firm, corporation, or association offering immigration assistance services is neither an attorney licensed to practice law in Virginia nor accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice to represent individuals before federal immigration authorities and is not authorized to provide any legal advice."

B. The disclosure required by subsection A shall be in a font size and placement that is readily noticeable to a reasonable consumer, as determined by the regulations adopted by the Attorney General in accordance with this section.

C. If the court finds in any civil action brought under this chapter that the failure of any person, firm, corporation, or association providing immigration assistance services to comply with the provisions of this section was willful, such person, firm, corporation, or association is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 but not more than $10,000 for a first violation, and a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 but not more than $15,000 for a second or subsequent violation.

D. In addition to any criminal penalty for such conduct, any person, firm, corporation, or association that violates the provisions of this section in any manner relating to the unauthorized practice of law or untrue, deceptive, or misleading advertisements is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $18,000 but not more than $20,000 for each violation.

E. The Attorney General shall be authorized to enforce the provisions of this section and may promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement and enforce such provisions.