As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Arbitration service provider" means any person or entity that administers, facilitates, or provides arbitration services in the Commonwealth.

"Consumer" means an individual who seeks, uses, or acquires, by purchase or lease, any goods or services for personal, family, or household purposes.

"Drafting party" means the company or business that included a pre-dispute arbitration provision in a contract with a consumer or employee. "Drafting party" includes any third party relying upon or otherwise subject to the arbitration provision other than the employee or consumer.

"High-volume arbitration service provider" means any arbitration service provider that conducts more than 100 arbitrations per calendar year that arise from a pre-dispute arbitration agreement involving a Virginia-connected transaction.

"Neutral arbitrator" means an arbitrator who is (i) selected jointly by the parties or by the arbitrators selected by the parties or (ii) appointed by the court when the parties or arbitrators selected by the parties fail to select an arbitrator jointly.

"Pre-dispute arbitration agreement" means an agreement to arbitrate a dispute between a consumer and a business or between an individual employed in the Commonwealth and that individual's employer that had not yet arisen at the time of making such agreement.

"Virginia-connected transaction" means any transaction, agreement, or dispute that arises out of, relates to, or is otherwise connected with activities, relationships, or events occurring within the Commonwealth, including any arbitration ordered by a state or federal court located in the Commonwealth.

2026, c. 490.