Eviction notice reform bill by Del. Lopes-Maldonado passes Virginia House and Senate

A bill sponsored by State Del. Michelle Lopes Maldonado seeks to enhance notice protocols and clarify required documentation for residential unlawful detainer cases in Virginia, according to the Virginia State House.

The legislation received approval from both chambers and was officially enrolled March 30, 2026, after passing the House 78-18 and the Senate 21-19.

Filed as HB1361 on Jan. 20, 2026, for the 2026 regular session, the bill is described by the state legislature as follows: “Virginia Residential Landlord & Tenant Act; civil action for unlawful detainer, termination notice.”

The analysis below draws from the official bill text and provides clarification of the bill’s main points.

Overall, the bill implements stricter requirements for Virginia residential unlawful detainer actions and tenant termination notices. Landlords would be required to furnish tenants with a valid and effective termination notice, including a written summary of all charges and payments during the tenancy or previous 12 months, before an eviction case can be filed or continued. Courts may not issue an order of possession or judgment without a copy of this notice in the record. The bill further defines procedures for scheduling hearings, establishing documentation and rent amounts, and permits electronic delivery of notices with verifiable proof of receipt.

In House voting, 61 Democrats and 17 Republicans supported the measure, with 18 Republicans opposing.

In the Senate, all 21 Democrats voted in favor, while 19 Republicans voted against the bill.

The bill’s primary sponsors were Del. Michelle Lopes Maldonado (Democrat-20th District), Del. Kathy K.L. Tran (Democrat-18th District), and Del. Marcia S. “Cia” Price (Democrat-85th District), along with one additional sponsor.

Maldonado earned her BA from Barnard College in 1991 and her JD from The George Washington University Law School in 1996.

Maldonado, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected to the Virginia State House in 2024 for the 20th House district, succeeding former representative John Avoli.

In Virginia, the legislative process starts with the introduction of a bill in either the House of Delegates or the Senate, assignment to at least one committee for review and possible revision, then a vote on the floor of both chambers. If both the House and Senate approve the bill, it is sent to the governor for signature, veto, or possible enactment without signature. The Virginia General Assembly meets each year beginning the second Monday in January, considers hundreds of bills, though only a subset are enacted.

Information in this article was obtained from the Virginia State House. The source data can be found here.