Subcommittee advances 14‑day pay‑or‑quit bill aimed at preventing evictions

Delegate Price argued House Bill 15 would reduce evictions by extending the statutory pay‑or‑quit period for nonpayment from five days to 14 days. Sponsor and supporting witnesses said the longer window, used during the COVID era, often made the difference for tenants who are paid multiple times per month or who can cobble together funds through family, community fundraising or service providers.

Supporters included faith groups, eviction‑prevention program staff, student networks and charities; the Virginia Interfaith Center, the Virginia Catholic Conference, the 4kids eviction‑reduction pilot program and the Virginia Student Power Networkall offered testimony describing how the additional days allow time to secure assistance and avert homelessness. A person experiencing homelessness (Dr. Elise Osterweil) described how a short notice period and lack of affordable housing options led to prolonged instability.

The subcommittee voted to report HB15; the clerk recorded a roll call and the bill was reported by a vote of 7 to 3.