Senator Deeds: Fighting for Virginia's Consumers

Every day there are millions of transactions between individuals and businesses in Virginia, and the truth is the vast majority of them are good for everyone. Because of low taxes and regulation, Virginia is rated the best state in the country to do business. Senator Deeds believes we need to continue that approach.

At the same time, there are sometimes unscrupulous people who take advantage of Virginians who are buying their first home or taking out a loan during tough times in order to make ends meet. Identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in the country, leaves more Virginians each year in financial ruin. And some of the most vulnerable members of society, our seniors, often aren't in a position to protect themselves from fraud and abuse.

That's why Senator Deeds has spent almost two decades in the legislature fighting for fair and sensible consumer protections that keep business thriving. Whether it's buying a new home, finding the right doctor for our health care needs, moving into a long-term care or nursing facility, or enjoying the freedom of shopping online, we have a leader working every day for us in Senator Deeds.

Protecting Homeowners from Dishonest Lenders

Before the sub-prime mortgage lending crisis made national headlines, Senator Deeds was fighting for legislation to protect homeowners from irresponsible lenders. Consumer protection advocates and his colleagues in Richmond have turned to Deeds to lead the way on lending reform.

Senator Deeds knows that our consumer protection statutes are meaningless if there aren't tough penalties for those who knowingly break the law. He's worked tirelessly in the General Assembly for tougher sanctions on lenders whose dishonest tactics force a homeowner to default on their loan.

He also wrote the most comprehensive lending reform package in a generation after the sub-prime mortgage lending crisis unraveled, threatening to put our economy into recession. Under the Deeds legislative package:

• Lenders have a fiduciary duty to ensure that homeowners are offered the best home loan for which they qualify
• No more prepayment penalties that trap homeowners in loans that force them into bankruptcy, allowing them to refinance their mortgage and save their family's finances
• Requires background checks for anyone who has access to a homeowners personal financial information
• Eliminates hidden costs and fees that don't come due until after a homeowner is locked into a loan they were told they could afford

Protecting Vulnerable Seniors

Senator Deeds wrote the law creating penalties for nursing homes that neglect their financial obligations: such as failing to pay for essential food, drugs, staff or insurance. And, passed legislation to require that assisted living facilities post the rights and responsibilities of residents and facilities.

Deeds knows that we can't put an end to abuse in our nursing homes and adult care facilities without giving a voice to the voiceless: abused senior citizens. That's why he wrote legislation to improve training for adult care employees and make it even easier for residents and visitors to assist in reporting and preventing abuse.

Fighting for Better and Safer Healthcare

When Virginia's laws regulating the disciplinary standards for doctors needed updating, Senator Deeds took on the challenge. Because of his work, it's now much easier to find, report and discipline doctors who provide substandard care.

Deeds has also championed legislation to bring us another step closer to find a cure for cancer:

• Wrote legislation to give women at high genetic risk of breast cancer health insurance coverage for preventative surgery
• Paved the way for a statewide cancer registry to assist in data collection, research and determination of statistical survival rates in Virginia

Did You Know?

An identity thief could steal the personal financial information of thousands of Virginians and only face a misdemeanor punishment. That's why Senator Deeds has been fighting for tougher penalties for identity theft and sponsored legislation to make it so the more they steal, the more time an identity thief spends in prison.

On Payday Loans

"Since Virginia opened the doors to payday lenders in 2002 we've seen how outrageous interest rates and unfair loan terms can drive families into a cycle of debt. I support a 36 percent cap on payday loans and other reforms that give Virginians with bad credit a chance to get back on track." -Senator Deeds