Bill Text: VA SB640 | 2020 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Unlawful detainer; expungement of actions, effective date.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-04-09 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1013) [SB640 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SB640-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01 a section numbered 8.01-130.01 as follows:
§8.01-130.01. Unlawful detainer; expungement.
A. If an action for unlawful detainer filed in general district court is dismissed or a nonsuit is taken and the time in which the action may be recommenced pursuant to §8.01-229 has expired, provided that no order of possession has been entered in the case, the defendant may file a petition on a form created by the Supreme Court in the general district court in which the underlying unlawful detainer action was filed requesting expungement of the court records relating to the unlawful detainer. The petition shall provide the date that the order of dismissal or nonsuit was entered, the address of the property that was the subject of the unlawful detainer action, and the name of the plaintiff in the unlawful detainer action.
B. Upon finding that the unlawful detainer action was dismissed or a nonsuit was taken and the time for recommencement of the action has expired and no order of possession was entered, the court shall, without a hearing, enter an order requiring the expungement of the court records.
2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on January 1, 2022.
