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SB 444

Offenses relating to gift cards; penalties.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lamont Bagby and 1 co-sponsor

SB 444 establishes new criminal penalties for gift card fraud, misuse, and misrepresentation in Virginia, with fiscal impacts on the state's criminal justice system.

Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
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Bill Summary · SB 444

Legislative bill overview

SB 444 creates new criminal offenses and penalties related to the fraudulent sale, misuse, or misrepresentation of gift cards in Virginia. The bill establishes specific criminal classifications for gift card-related fraud activities and defines the circumstances under which such conduct becomes punishable under state law.

Why is this important

Gift card fraud has become increasingly common as digital and physical gift cards proliferate, affecting both retailers and consumers. Clarifying criminal penalties for gift card offenses provides law enforcement with specific statutory tools to prosecute these crimes and creates a deterrent against fraudulent schemes, while the fiscal impact statement suggests potential costs to the criminal justice system.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of criminalization: Questions about whether the bill casts too broad or too narrow a net—whether certain gift card transactions or reselling practices should be regulated versus criminalized
  • Penalty proportionality: Debate over whether the prescribed penalties appropriately match the severity of gift card fraud offenses compared to other financial crimes
  • Definitional clarity: Concerns about whether "gift card fraud" is sufficiently defined to avoid confusion with legitimate secondary market sales or gift card exchanges

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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