An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3907 and 2.2-3908 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Human Rights Act; unlawful discriminatory practices; civil actions; statute of limitations.
HB925 amends the Virginia Human Rights Act’s procedures for discrimination complaints and civil actions. The bill extends the filing deadline for covered discrimination complaints from 300 days to two years after the alleged discriminatory practice occurred, giving complainants a much longer period to bring claims to the Office of Civil Rights. It also preserves the existing complaint, investigation, mediation, conciliation, and temporary-relief framework, while clarifying when the Office must issue a notice of the right to file a civil action.
The bill further requires the Office to issue a right-to-sue notice after 180 days upon request, or sooner if the Office cannot complete its investigation within that time. It also directs courts to accept complaints where the claimant has already received a federal EEOC Notice of Right to Sue, aligning state procedure more closely with federal discrimination processes. The measure amends §§ 2.2-3907 and 2.2-3908 of the Code of Virginia and affects the timing and processing of discrimination claims brought under state law.
HB925 changes the statute of limitations and procedural rules for unlawful discrimination complaints under the Virginia Human Rights Act. By extending the filing window to two years, it expands access to the state administrative process for potential claimants and increases the period during which employers, housing providers, and other covered respondents may face discrimination allegations. The bill also affects the Office of Civil Rights’ case-handling obligations, including notice, investigation timing, and issuance of right-to-sue letters, and it coordinates state procedure with federal EEOC right-to-sue notices.
The available record shows the bill was enacted as Chapter 1119, which indicates it ultimately received sufficient support to pass. No committee transcripts or vote breakdowns are provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate tone or partisan division in the materials supplied. Based on the enacted status and the nature of the changes, the general sentiment appears to have been favorable toward expanding access to remedies for discrimination claims and clarifying procedural rights.
The main point of potential contention is the extension of the filing deadline from 300 days to two years, which likely benefits complainants but may be viewed by respondents as increasing exposure to stale claims and making defense more difficult over time. Another possible issue is the bill’s effect on administrative workload for the Office of Civil Rights, since longer filing periods and right-to-sue procedures may increase the number and duration of cases. No specific objections or named opponents are included in the provided materials, so these concerns are inferred from the statutory changes rather than documented debate.