VA SB493

Requires sellers to clearly disclose automatic renewal terms before purchase, including cancellation deadlines, recurring charges, and renewal term lengths, with disclosures that must be "unavoidable" on websites and apps.

Mandates sellers obtain affirmative consumer consent before charging for automatic renewals or continuous services, and provide written acknowledgment of terms that consumers can retain.

Requires a "cost-effective, timely, and easy-to-use" cancellation mechanism that allows consumers to cancel through the same method used to sign up (online purchases must have online cancellation options).

Extends protections to small businesses (250 or fewer employees or under $10 million in annual gross receipts) in addition to individual consumers.

Adds violations of these automatic renewal requirements to the list of prohibited practices under Virginia's Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-200), enabling enforcement through existing consumer protection mechanisms.