HB 1262

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; advertisement for immigration assistance services; civil penalties. Requires any person, firm, corporation, or association that publishes or offers to the public any advertisement for immigration assistance services to conspicuously post or include a notice in such advertisement that states that such person, firm, corporation, or association is neither an attorney licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth nor accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice to represent individuals before federal immigration authorities. The bill provides that any person, firm, corporation, or association that willfully fails to conspicuously post or include such notice is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 but not more than $10,000 for a first violation and a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 but not more than $15,000 for a second or subsequent violation. Additionally, the bill provides that any such person, firm, corporation, or association that engages in the unauthorized practice of law or fraudulently advertises such immigration assistance services is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $18,000 but not more than $20,000 for each violation in addition to any other criminal penalties for such conduct.