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Bill > HB1996
VA HB1996
VA HB1996Summons for Unlawful Detainer form; plain English instructions for interpretation of form.
summary
Introduced
01/10/2023
01/10/2023
In Committee
02/13/2023
02/13/2023
Crossed Over
02/01/2023
02/01/2023
Passed
02/20/2023
02/20/2023
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/23/2023
03/23/2023
Introduced Session
2023 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Summons for Unlawful Detainer form; plain English instructions. Requires the Forms and Efiling Subcommittee of the Supreme Court of Virginia's Access to Justice Commission to develop plain English instructions, as defined in the bill, that explain to defendants how to interpret Form DC-421 (Summons for Unlawful Detainer/Civil Claim for Eviction). The bill further requires that such instructions (i) be printed in no less than 14 point type; (ii) be understandable to persons whose literacy level matches the Virginia literacy level for fourth grade; (iii) explain that failure to appear in court on the hearing date may result in eviction from the defendant's household; and (iv) provide the statewide Legal Aid and Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot program websites and, if applicable, telephone numbers, directing defendants to contact those programs for more information and assistance. Summons for Unlawful Detainer form; plain English instructions. Requires the Forms and Efiling Subcommittee of the Supreme Court of Virginia's Access to Justice Commission to develop plain English instructions, as defined in the bill, that explain to defendants how to interpret Form DC-421 (Summons for Unlawful Detainer/Civil Claim for Eviction). The bill further requires that such instructions (i) be printed in no less than 14 point type; (ii) be understandable to persons whose literacy level matches the Virginia literacy level for fourth grade; (iii) explain that failure to appear in court on the hearing date may result in eviction from the defendant's household; and (iv) provide the statewide Legal Aid and Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot program websites and, if applicable, telephone numbers, directing defendants to contact those programs for more information and assistance.
AI Summary
This bill requires the Forms and Efiling Subcommittee of the Supreme Court of Virginia's Access to Justice Commission to develop plain English instructions that explain to defendants how to interpret Form DC-421 (Summons for Unlawful Detainer/Civil Claim for Eviction). The instructions must be printed in at least 14-point font, be understandable to persons with a fourth-grade literacy level, explain that failure to appear in court may result in eviction, and provide the websites and phone numbers of statewide Legal Aid and the Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot program to direct defendants to additional information and assistance. The instructions may be translated into languages other than English as needed, and "plain English" is defined as written in nontechnical, readily understandable language using common everyday words and avoiding legal terms and jargon.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0447) (on 03/23/2023)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1996 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+ful+CHAP0447+hil |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - House: Bill text as passed House and Sena | https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+oth+HB1996FER122+PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+ful+HB1996ER+hil |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - House: Committee substitute printed 23105 | https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+oth+HB1996FH1122+PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+ful+HB1996H1+hil |
| Substitute for HB1996 Courts of Justice, Subcommittee #2 | https://committees.lis.virginia.gov/pdfs/23105393D.pdf |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+ful+HB1996+hil |
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