Virginia Legislature Passes Privacy Bill

Virginia could soon become the second state with a comprehensive privacy law, after California. The Senate voted 32-7 Friday for HB-2307. The House voted 89-9 Thursday for SB-1392, the Senate's same version. The Senate concurred with House changes.

The Virginia privacy measure would let consumers access, correct, delete and obtain copies of personal data, plus opt out of targeted advertising. The state attorney general would enforce the bill after giving 30 days to cure violations. The bill doesn’t include a private right of action.

Legislators amended the bill to add a work group to review the law and implementation issues and report back to the legislature by Nov. 1, before the law takes effect Jan. 1, 2023.

The bill goes next to Gov. Ralph Northam (D), who is expected to sign. His office didn’t comment right away.