{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/59.1-510.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/59.1-510.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/59.1-510.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/59.1-510.html"}],"law_id":87365,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87365,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-510","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Definitions","history":"2001, cc. 528, 553; 2004, cc. 202, 224; 2019, cc. 256, 264; 2020, cc. 263, 607; 2025, c. 626.","full_text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Established business relationship” means a relationship between the contactedperson and the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation is being made or initiated based on (i) the contactedperson’s purchase from, or transaction with, the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation is being made or initiated within the 18 months immediately preceding the date of the solicitationor (ii) the contactedperson’s inquiry or application regarding any property, good, or service offered by the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation is being made or initiated within the three months immediately preceding the date of the solicitation.\n\t\t“Personal relationship” means the relationship between a telephone solicitor making or initiating a telephone solicitation and any family member, friend, or acquaintance of that telephone solicitor.\n\t\t“Responsible person” means either or both of (i) a telephone solicitor or (ii) a seller if the telephone solicitation offering or advertising the seller’s property, goods, or services is presumed to have been made or initiated on behalf of or for the benefit of the seller and the presumption is not rebutted as provided in subsection B of \u00a7 59.1-514.1.\n\t\t“Seller” means any person on whose behalf or for whose benefit a telephone solicitation offering or advertising the person’s property, goods, or services is made or initiated.\n\t\t“Telephone solicitation” means (i) any telephone call made or initiated to any natural person’s residence in the Commonwealth, to any landline or wireless telephone with a Virginia area code, or to a landline or wireless telephone registered to any natural person who is a resident of the Commonwealth or (ii) any text message sent to any wireless telephone with a Virginia area code or to a wireless telephone registered to any natural person who is a resident of the Commonwealth, for the purpose of offering or advertising any property, goods, or services for sale, lease, license, or investment, including offering or advertising an extension of credit or for the purpose of fraudulent activity, including engaging in any conduct that results in the display of false or misleading caller identification information on the contactedperson’s telephone.\n\t\t“Telephone solicitor” means any person who makes or initiates, or causes another person to make or initiate, a telephone solicitation on its own behalf or for its own benefit or on behalf of or for the benefit of a seller.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":312857,"text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Established business relationship” means a relationship between the contactedperson and the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation is being made or initiated based on (i) the contactedperson’s purchase from, or transaction with, the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation is being made or initiated within the 18 months immediately preceding the date of the solicitationor (ii) the contactedperson’s inquiry or application regarding any property, good, or service offered by the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation is being made or initiated within the three months immediately preceding the date of the solicitation.\n\t\t“Personal relationship” means the relationship between a telephone solicitor making or initiating a telephone solicitation and any family member, friend, or acquaintance of that telephone solicitor.\n\t\t“Responsible person” means either or both of (i) a telephone solicitor or (ii) a seller if the telephone solicitation offering or advertising the seller’s property, goods, or services is presumed to have been made or initiated on behalf of or for the benefit of the seller and the presumption is not rebutted as provided in subsection B of \u00a7 59.1-514.1.\n\t\t“Seller” means any person on whose behalf or for whose benefit a telephone solicitation offering or advertising the person’s property, goods, or services is made or initiated.\n\t\t“Telephone solicitation” means (i) any telephone call made or initiated to any natural person’s residence in the Commonwealth, to any landline or wireless telephone with a Virginia area code, or to a landline or wireless telephone registered to any natural person who is a resident of the Commonwealth or (ii) any text message sent to any wireless telephone with a Virginia area code or to a wireless telephone registered to any natural person who is a resident of the Commonwealth, for the purpose of offering or advertising any property, goods, or services for sale, lease, license, or investment, including offering or advertising an extension of credit or for the purpose of fraudulent activity, including engaging in any conduct that results in the display of false or misleading caller identification information on the contactedperson’s telephone.\n\t\t“Telephone solicitor” means any person who makes or initiates, or causes another person to make or initiate, a telephone solicitation on its own behalf or for its own benefit or on behalf of or for the benefit of a seller.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":12904,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Telephone Privacy Protection Act","identifier":"44","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12809,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","permalink":{"id":262389,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12904,"identifier":"44","token":"59.1\/44","url":"\/59.1\/44\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12809,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trade and Commerce","identifier":"59.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","permalink":{"id":259521,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12809,"identifier":"59.1","token":"59.1","url":"\/59.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":87365,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-510","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Definitions","url":"\/59.1-510\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-510","metadata":false},{"id":77583,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-511","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Solicitation time restrictions","url":"\/59.1-511\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-511","metadata":false},{"id":78568,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-512","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Identification of telephone solicitor required","url":"\/59.1-512\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-512","metadata":false},{"id":68026,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-513","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Transmission of solicitor identification information required","url":"\/59.1-513\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-513","metadata":false},{"id":80030,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-513.1","catch_line":"(Effective until January 1, 2026) Abandoned telephone solicitation calls","url":"\/59.1-513.1\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-513.1","metadata":false},{"id":78644,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-514","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Unwanted telephone solicitations prohibited","url":"\/59.1-514\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-514","metadata":false},{"id":86959,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-514.1","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Joint liability of seller and telephone solicitor for prohibited acts; rebuttable presumption","url":"\/59.1-514.1\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-514.1","metadata":false},{"id":77039,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-515","catch_line":"Individual action for damages","url":"\/59.1-515\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-515","metadata":false},{"id":65267,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-516","catch_line":"Investigative authority","url":"\/59.1-516\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-516","metadata":false},{"id":81522,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-517","catch_line":"Enforcement; civil penalties","url":"\/59.1-517\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-517","metadata":false},{"id":54020,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-518","catch_line":"Effect on other remedies, causes of action or penalties","url":"\/59.1-518\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-518","metadata":false},{"id":60514,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-518.01","catch_line":"Communication with state agencies","url":"\/59.1-518.01\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-518.01","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":77583,"structure_id":12904,"section_number":"59.1-511","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Solicitation time restrictions","url":"\/59.1-511\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-511","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/59.1-510\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2001. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 528<\/a> and 553<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2004, chapters 202<\/a> and 224<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 256<\/a> and 264<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 263<\/a> and 607<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 626<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":86959,"section_number":"59.1-514.1","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Joint liability of seller and telephone solicitor for prohibited acts; rebuttable presumption","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-514.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":262391,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87365,"identifier":"59.1-510","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-510","url":"\/59.1-510\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/59.1-510\/","token":"59.1\/44\/59.1-510","dublin_core":{"Title":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 59.1-510","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Established business relationship<\/span>” means a relationship between the contactedperson and the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation<\/span> is being made or initiated based on (i) the contactedperson’s purchase from, or transaction with, the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation<\/span> is being made or initiated within the 18 months immediately preceding the date of the solicitationor (ii) the contactedperson’s inquiry or application regarding any property, good, or service offered by the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation<\/span> is being made or initiated within the three months immediately preceding the date of the solicitation.\n\t\t“Personal relationship<\/span>” means the relationship between a telephone solicitor<\/span> making or initiating a telephone solicitation<\/span> and any family member, friend, or acquaintance of that telephone solicitor<\/span>.\n\t\t“Responsible person<\/span>” means either or both of (i) a telephone solicitor<\/span> or (ii) a seller<\/span> if the telephone solicitation<\/span> offering or advertising the seller<\/span>’s property, goods, or services is presumed to have been made or initiated on behalf of or for the benefit of the seller<\/span> and the presumption<\/span> is not rebutted as provided in subsection B of \u00a7 59.1-514.1<\/a>.\n\t\t“Seller<\/span>” means any person on whose behalf or for whose benefit a telephone solicitation<\/span> offering or advertising the person’s property, goods, or services is made or initiated.\n\t\t“Telephone solicitation<\/span>” means (i) any telephone call made or initiated to any natural person’s residence in the Commonwealth, to any landline or wireless telephone with a Virginia area code, or to a landline or wireless telephone registered to any natural person who is a resident of the Commonwealth or (ii) any text message sent to any wireless telephone with a Virginia area code or to a wireless telephone registered to any natural person who is a resident of the Commonwealth, for the purpose of offering or advertising any property, goods, or services for sale, lease, license, or investment, including offering or advertising an extension of credit or for the purpose of fraudulent activity, including engaging in any conduct that results in the display of false or misleading caller identification information on the contactedperson’s telephone.\n\t\t“Telephone solicitor<\/span>” means any person who makes or initiates, or causes another person to make or initiate, a telephone solicitation<\/span> on its own behalf or for its own benefit or on behalf of or for the benefit of a seller<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n(EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026) DEFINITIONS (\u00a7 59.1-510)\n\nAs used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Established business relationship” means a relationship between\nthe contactedperson and the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation is\nbeing made or initiated based on (i) the contactedperson’s purchase from,\nor transaction with, the person on whose behalf the telephone solicitation is\nbeing made or initiated within the 18 months immediately preceding the date of\nthe solicitationor (ii) the contactedperson’s inquiry or application\nregarding any property, good, or service offered by the person on whose behalf\nthe telephone solicitation is being made or initiated within the three months\nimmediately preceding the date of the solicitation.\n\t\t“Personal relationship” means the relationship between a telephone\nsolicitor making or initiating a telephone solicitation and any family member,\nfriend, or acquaintance of that telephone solicitor.\n\t\t“Responsible person” means either or both of (i) a telephone\nsolicitor or (ii) a seller if the telephone solicitation offering or advertising\nthe seller’s property, goods, or services is presumed to have been made or\ninitiated on behalf of or for the benefit of the seller and the presumption is\nnot rebutted as provided in subsection B of \u00a7 59.1-514.1.\n\t\t“Seller” means any person on whose behalf or for whose benefit a\ntelephone solicitation offering or advertising the person’s property,\ngoods, or services is made or initiated.\n\t\t“Telephone solicitation” means (i) any telephone call made or\ninitiated to any natural person’s residence in the Commonwealth, to any\nlandline or wireless telephone with a Virginia area code, or to a landline or\nwireless telephone registered to any natural person who is a resident of the\nCommonwealth or (ii) any text message sent to any wireless telephone with a\nVirginia area code or to a wireless telephone registered to any natural person\nwho is a resident of the Commonwealth, for the purpose of offering or\nadvertising any property, goods, or services for sale, lease, license, or\ninvestment, including offering or advertising an extension of credit or for the\npurpose of fraudulent activity, including engaging in any conduct that results\nin the display of false or misleading caller identification information on the\ncontactedperson’s telephone.\n\t\t“Telephone solicitor” means any person who makes or initiates, or\ncauses another person to make or initiate, a telephone solicitation on its own\nbehalf or for its own benefit or on behalf of or for the benefit of a seller.\n\nHISTORY: 2001, cc. 528, 553; 2004, cc. 202, 224; 2019, cc. 256, 264; 2020, cc.\n263, 607; 2025, c. 626.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}