Senate subcommittee advances HOA harassment bill after constituent testimony of alleged long-running abuse

The Senate housing subcommittee voted to recommend reporting SB 803, a bill that defines a form of homeowners‑association harassment tied to discriminatory grounds and proposes remedies including whistleblower protections.

Sponsor Senator Deeds introduced the measure and called a constituent, Tanisha Hudson of Charlottesville, to testify about an ongoing four‑year dispute with her HOA. Hudson described construction defects alleged during association‑managed siding work that she said led to property damage and targeted harassment after she pursued legal remedies. "We need whistleblower protections because since I pointed this out ... they have targeted me," Hudson said.

Committee members asked substantive questions about the bill’s language — particularly the phrase "other conduct" included in the definition of harassment — and about the required showing to establish a claim. The sponsor said much of the language mirrors statutes used in Colorado and that the bill did not create novel causes of action beyond existing discrimination standards. A motion to report the bill carried with one member abstaining to pursue follow‑up discussions with the patron.

Supporters framed the bill as a tool to protect residents who flag safety and construction defects from retaliation; members emphasized that, to pursue a claim, plaintiffs would still need to prove discrimination under enumerated protected classes.