RICHMOND, Va. — Today, SB493, patroned by Senator Stella Pekarsky (D-Fairfax), and HB1022, patroned by Delegate Atoosa Reaser (D-Sterling), passed both chambers. SB493 passed for the final time by a 39-0 vote in the Senate and a 95-0 vote in the House. HB1022 passed for the final time by a 96-0 vote in the House and a 39-0 vote in the Senate. Both bills will now head to Governor Spanberger’s desk for her signature.
The legislation, known as Click to Cancel, ensures that Virginia consumers have accessible and easy ways to end certain services, memberships and subscriptions. Click to Cancel will protect Virginia consumers from subscription traps and allow them to keep more of what they earn by canceling when and how they want. This innovative state policy is modeled off Federal Trade Commission regulations enacted during the Biden administration that were overturned last year when a federal court agreed with corporate opponents, and now puts Virginia at the forefront of state national consumer protection.
“Today Virginia has taken another major step forward in protecting consumers by passing SB493,” said Senator Pekarsky. “This bill will protect consumers from predatory subscription traps by setting reasonable standards for cancellation policies. Our hard working families should not be burdened with subscriptions that are easy to initiate but impossible to cancel. This measure sends a message to bad corporate actors that our consumers deserve fairness. This will save money for families at a time that every dollar back in pockets counts. I am looking forward to seeing Governor Spanberger sign this legislation.”
“For too long, companies have made it far harder to cancel a subscription than it is to sign up for one,” said Delegate Reaser. “This bill makes a simple promise: if you can sign up with a click, you should be able to cancel with a click. It’s about basic fairness and making sure families aren’t losing their hard-earned money to subscriptions they no longer want or use.”
“If a company lets you sign up for a service in one click, you should be able to cancel it just as easily,” said Freedom Virginia Co-Executive Director Rhena Hicks. “This bill will save Virginians time, money, and stress. This legislation cements Virginia’s position as a national leader on consumer protection. We’re excited to see Governor Spanberger sign this innovative policy into law and ensure Virginians can keep more of what they earn.”
