Many subscriptions in Virginia must be as easy to cancel as to start

If your subscription or service is covered by Virginia’s automatic-renewal law, the seller has to let you cancel at least as easily as you signed up. If you joined online, you must be able to cancel online. A seller generally cannot make you talk to a live or virtual agent unless it only signs people up through an agent. If it offers cancellation by phone, the seller cannot charge for the call, the number has to be answered or record messages during business hours, and your cancellation has to be handled promptly.

You don’t need to apply for anything. The rules apply to covered sellers offering subscriptions to Virginia consumers. The law still exempts utilities and certain other regulated services, banks and other financial institutions, and insurers. A seller that breaks the rules is violating the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and can face enforcement under it.

Virginia has had automatic-renewal rules since 2018, but this law made cancellation easier and removed several exemptions. Sen. Stella Pekarsky carried SB 493, with Sen. Scott Surovell as a co-patron. Del. Atoosa Reaser carried the identical HB 1022, cosponsored by Del. Laura Jane Cohen. The chambers settled their differences in conference, and the final SB 493 passed 39–0 in the Senate and 95–0 in the House. Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed it on April 13, 2026, and it took effect July 1.