Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 79: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; duties of landlord, mold remediation, civil penalty.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 79 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on December 31, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; duties of landlord, mold remediation, civil penalty. Primary sponsor: Cia Price (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 12, 2026): Continued to next session in General Laws (Voice Vote).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; duties of landlord; mold remediation; civil penalty. Provides that a tenant, authorized occupant, or guest or invitee of a tenant or authorized occupant may bring a personal injury or wrongful death action for exposure to mold arising from the condition within the interior of a dwelling unit or for any property damage claims arising out of the landlord-tenant relationship to recover (i) compensatory damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and injury to personal property; (ii) punitive damages; and (iii) reasonable attorney fees and costs, if the mold is caused solely by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the landlord or managing agent. The bill also mandates a landlord to require a tenant to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit in order for the landlord to perform mold remediation in accordance with professional standards if it has been determined by a physician or other qualified medical professional and certified by a written medical statement that the mold condition in the dwelling unit materially affects the health or safety of the tenant or any authorized occupant.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cia Price | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 85 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Continued to next session in General Laws (Voice Vote)
- Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- House subcommittee offered
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB79)
- Assigned HGL sub: Housing/Consumer Protection
- Referred to Committee on General Laws
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103115D