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HB 1262

Notaries; prohibition on certain advertising, investigation by Attorney General.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Katrina Callsen and 7 co-sponsors

HB 1262 strengthens Virginia Consumer Protection Act by regulating immigration service advertisements and establishing civil penalties for deceptive marketing practices.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 763 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Bill Summary · HB 1262

Legislative bill overview

HB 1262 amends Virginia's Consumer Protection Act to regulate advertisements for immigration assistance services. The bill establishes requirements for how these services can be marketed and imposes civil penalties for violations, likely targeting deceptive or misleading advertising practices in the immigration services industry.

Why is this important

Immigration assistance services represent a vulnerable consumer market, as immigrants may have language barriers, limited familiarity with legal systems, and financial constraints that make them susceptible to fraud. Deceptive advertising in this space can result in significant financial losses and legal complications for already vulnerable populations. Clarifying advertising standards helps protect consumers while potentially distinguishing legitimate immigration service providers from bad actors.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: The bill may lack clear definitions of what constitutes prohibited advertising, potentially affecting legitimate immigration attorneys, notaries, and accredited representatives differently
  • Free speech considerations: Advertising restrictions could raise questions about the balance between consumer protection and commercial speech rights
  • Enforcement mechanisms: The level of civil penalties and enforcement responsibility (state attorney general, private right of action, etc.) will determine real-world effectiveness and burden on regulators

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

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