On April 17, the Virginia legislature enacted HB 1519, amending provisions of the Virginia Code related to fees for electronic fund transfers. The legislation amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to prohibit landlords from charging a tenant a processing fee for using an EFT for the payment of either a security deposit, rent, or “any other amounts payable.” The legislation also amends the Virginia Consumer Protection Act to prohibit a supplier from charging a fee to a consumer for using an EFT to purchase a good or service. However, this prohibition explicitly does not apply to ATM withdrawals or expedited service on an EFT. The new legislation went into effect immediately upon enactment.
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