{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/6.2-501.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/6.2-501.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/6.2-501.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/6.2-501.html"}],"law_id":68662,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68662,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-501","catch_line":"Prohibited discrimination","history":"1977, c. 589, \u00a7 59.1-21.21:1; 2002, c. 747; 2010, c. 794; 2020, cc. 1137, 1140.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section, “age” means being an individual who is at least 18 years of age.B\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any creditor to discriminate against any applicant, with respect to any aspect of a credit transaction:1\n\nOn the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, disability, or status as a veteran provided that the applicant has the capacity to contract; or2\n\nBecause all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance or social services program.C\n\nIt shall not constitute discrimination for purposes of this chapter for a creditor:1\n\nTo make an inquiry of marital status if such inquiry is for the purpose of ascertaining the creditor’s rights and remedies applicable to the particular extension of credit and not to discriminate in a determination of creditworthiness;2\n\nTo make an inquiry of the applicant’s age or of whether the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance or social services program if such inquiry is for the purpose of determining the amount and probable continuance of income levels, credit history, or other pertinent element of creditworthiness as provided in regulations of the Commission;3\n\nTo use any empirically derived credit system which considers age if such system is demonstrably and statistically sound in accordance with regulations of the Commission, except that in the operation of such system the age of an elderly applicant may not be assigned a negative factor or value; or4\n\nTo make an inquiry or to consider the age of an elderly applicant when the age of such applicant is to be used by the creditor in the extension of credit in favor of such applicant.D\n\nIt is not a violation of this section for a creditor to refuse to extend credit offered pursuant to:1\n\nAny credit assistance program expressly authorized by law for an economically disadvantaged class of persons;2\n\nAny credit assistance program administered by a nonprofit organization for its members or an economically disadvantaged class of persons; or3\n\nAny special purpose credit program offered by a profit-making organization to meet special social needs which meets standards prescribed in regulations by the Commission, if such refusal is required by or made pursuant to such program.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":248529,"text":"As used in this section, “age” means being an individual who is at least 18 years of age.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":248530,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any creditor to discriminate against any applicant, with respect to any aspect of a credit transaction:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":248531,"text":"On the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, disability, or status as a veteran provided that the applicant has the capacity to contract; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":248532,"text":"Because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance or social services program.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":248533,"text":"It shall not constitute discrimination for purposes of this chapter for a creditor:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C1"},"5":{"id":248534,"text":"To make an inquiry of marital status if such inquiry is for the purpose of ascertaining the creditor’s rights and remedies applicable to the particular extension of credit and not to discriminate in a determination of creditworthiness;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"6":{"id":248535,"text":"To make an inquiry of the applicant’s age or of whether the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance or social services program if such inquiry is for the purpose of determining the amount and probable continuance of income levels, credit history, or other pertinent element of creditworthiness as provided in regulations of the Commission;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"7":{"id":248536,"text":"To use any empirically derived credit system which considers age if such system is demonstrably and statistically sound in accordance with regulations of the Commission, except that in the operation of such system the age of an elderly applicant may not be assigned a negative factor or value; or","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"8":{"id":248537,"text":"To make an inquiry or to consider the age of an elderly applicant when the age of such applicant is to be used by the creditor in the extension of credit in favor of such applicant.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"D"},"9":{"id":248538,"text":"It is not a violation of this section for a creditor to refuse to extend credit offered pursuant to:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"D1"},"10":{"id":248539,"text":"Any credit assistance program expressly authorized by law for an economically disadvantaged class of persons;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"11":{"id":248540,"text":"Any credit assistance program administered by a nonprofit organization for its members or an economically disadvantaged class of persons; or","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"12":{"id":248541,"text":"Any special purpose credit program offered by a profit-making organization to meet special social needs which meets standards prescribed in regulations by the Commission, if such refusal is required by or made pursuant to such program.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14220,"edition_id":1,"name":"Equal Credit Opportunities","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12853,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:20","permalink":{"id":263627,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14220,"identifier":"5","token":"6.2\/I\/5","url":"\/6.2\/I\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12853,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12852,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":263251,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12853,"identifier":"I","token":"6.2\/I","url":"\/6.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12852,"edition_id":1,"name":"Financial Institutions and Services","identifier":"6.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":263249,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12852,"identifier":"6.2","token":"6.2","url":"\/6.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55425,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-500","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/6.2-500\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-500","metadata":false},{"id":68662,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-501","catch_line":"Prohibited discrimination","url":"\/6.2-501\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-501","metadata":false},{"id":75877,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-502","catch_line":"Notification of action on credit application","url":"\/6.2-502\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-502","metadata":false},{"id":86387,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-503","catch_line":"Statement of reasons for adverse action","url":"\/6.2-503\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-503","metadata":false},{"id":86052,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-504","catch_line":"Requirement of signatures of both parties to a marriage not discriminatory in a secured transaction","url":"\/6.2-504\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-504","metadata":false},{"id":78211,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-505","catch_line":"Remedies for violation","url":"\/6.2-505\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-505","metadata":false},{"id":70801,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-506","catch_line":"Commission regulations","url":"\/6.2-506\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-506","metadata":false},{"id":55591,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-507","catch_line":"Limitation on liability","url":"\/6.2-507\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-507","metadata":false},{"id":71279,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-508","catch_line":"Compliance with Equal Credit Opportunity Act constitutes compliance with chapter","url":"\/6.2-508\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-508","metadata":false},{"id":84094,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-509","catch_line":"Public to be informed of rights under chapter","url":"\/6.2-509\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-509","metadata":false},{"id":77106,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-510","catch_line":"Commission to investigate complaints; records to be open to public","url":"\/6.2-510\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-510","metadata":false},{"id":59622,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-511","catch_line":"Credit standards discoverable","url":"\/6.2-511\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-511","metadata":false},{"id":71444,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-512","catch_line":"Election of remedies","url":"\/6.2-512\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-512","metadata":false},{"id":84188,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-513","catch_line":"Authority of Attorney General","url":"\/6.2-513\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-513","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":55425,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-500","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/6.2-500\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-500","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75877,"structure_id":14220,"section_number":"6.2-502","catch_line":"Notification of action on credit application","url":"\/6.2-502\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-502","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/6.2-501\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 589 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. Unfortunately, the 1977 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 794<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 1137<\/a> and 1140<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":263633,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68662,"identifier":"6.2-501","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-501","url":"\/6.2-501\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/6.2-501\/","token":"6.2\/I\/5\/6.2-501","dublin_core":{"Title":"Prohibited discrimination","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 6.2-501","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section, “age<\/span>” means being an individual who is at least 18 years of age<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any creditor<\/span> to discriminate against any applicant<\/span>, with respect to any aspect of a credit<\/span> transaction: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> On the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age<\/span>, disability, or status as a veteran provided that the applicant<\/span> has the capacity to contract<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Because all or part of the applicant<\/span>’s income derives from any public assistance or social services program. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> It shall not constitute discrimination for purposes of this chapter for a creditor<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To make an inquiry of marital status if such inquiry is for the purpose of ascertaining the creditor<\/span>’s rights and remedies applicable to the particular extension of credit<\/span> and not to discriminate in a determination of creditworthiness; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To make an inquiry of the applicant<\/span>’s age<\/span> or of whether the applicant<\/span>’s income derives from any public assistance or social services program if such inquiry is for the purpose of determining the amount and probable continuance<\/span> of income levels, credit<\/span> history, or other pertinent element of creditworthiness as provided in regulations of the Commission<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> To use any empirically derived credit<\/span> system which considers age<\/span> if such system is demonstrably and statistically sound in accordance with regulations of the Commission<\/span>, except that in the operation of such system the age<\/span> of an elderly applicant<\/span> may not be assigned a negative factor or value; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To make an inquiry or to consider the age<\/span> of an elderly applicant<\/span> when the age<\/span> of such applicant<\/span> is to be used by the creditor<\/span> in the extension of credit<\/span> in favor of such applicant<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> It is not a violation of this section for a creditor<\/span> to refuse to extend credit<\/span> offered pursuant to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Any credit<\/span> assistance program expressly authorized by law<\/span> for an economically disadvantaged class of persons<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Any credit<\/span> assistance program administered by a nonprofit organization for its members or an economically disadvantaged class of persons<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Any special purpose credit<\/span> program offered by a profit-making organization to meet special social needs which meets standards prescribed in regulations by the Commission<\/span>, if such refusal is required by or made pursuant to such program. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROHIBITED DISCRIMINATION (\u00a7 6.2-501)\n\nA. As used in this section, “age” means being an individual who is\nat least 18 years of age.\n\nB. It shall be unlawful for any creditor to discriminate against any applicant,\nwith respect to any aspect of a credit transaction:\n\n 1. On the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital\n status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related\n medical conditions, age, disability, or status as a veteran provided that the\n applicant has the capacity to contract; or\n\n 2. Because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public\n assistance or social services program.\n\nC. It shall not constitute discrimination for purposes of this chapter for a\ncreditor:\n\n 1. To make an inquiry of marital status if such inquiry is for the purpose of\n ascertaining the creditor’s rights and remedies applicable to the\n particular extension of credit and not to discriminate in a determination of\n creditworthiness;\n\n 2. To make an inquiry of the applicant’s age or of whether the\n applicant’s income derives from any public assistance or social services\n program if such inquiry is for the purpose of determining the amount and\n probable continuance of income levels, credit history, or other pertinent\n element of creditworthiness as provided in regulations of the Commission;\n\n 3. To use any empirically derived credit system which considers age if such\n system is demonstrably and statistically sound in accordance with regulations\n of the Commission, except that in the operation of such system the age of an\n elderly applicant may not be assigned a negative factor or value; or\n\n 4. To make an inquiry or to consider the age of an elderly applicant when the\n age of such applicant is to be used by the creditor in the extension of credit\n in favor of such applicant.\n\nD. It is not a violation of this section for a creditor to refuse to extend\ncredit offered pursuant to:\n\n 1. Any credit assistance program expressly authorized by law for an\n economically disadvantaged class of persons;\n\n 2. Any credit assistance program administered by a nonprofit organization for\n its members or an economically disadvantaged class of persons; or\n\n 3. Any special purpose credit program offered by a profit-making organization\n to meet special social needs which meets standards prescribed in regulations\n by the Commission, if such refusal is required by or made pursuant to such\n program.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 589, \u00a7 59.1-21.21:1; 2002, c. 747; 2010, c. 794; 2020, cc.\n1137, 1140.","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}}