Civil actions filed on behalf of multiple persons; types of class actions.

Civil actions filed on behalf of multiple persons;award of damages in action for employer retaliation. Providesthat on a motion of any party, a circuit court may enter an ordercertifying a class or joining, coordinating, consolidating, or transferringcivil actions upon finding that separate civil actions brought bya plaintiff on behalf of multiple similarly situated persons involvecommon questions of law or fact and arise out of the same transactionor occurrence. Currently, the circuit court may enter such orderfor such separate civil actions if such actions are brought by sixor more plaintiffs. The bill alsoprovides that in a civil action for retaliation of an employer againstan employee, the court or jury may order the reinstatement of theemployee to a similar or equivalent position and compensation forlost wages, benefits, and remuneration, as well as reasonable attorneyfees and costs, and may award treble damages upon a finding thatsuch act of retaliation by an employer against an employee was willful. The bill directs the Supreme Court of Virginiato promulgate rules no later than November 1, 2024, governing the certification of a class or the joining, coordinating, consolidating,or transferring of civil actions filed on behalf of multiple persons.The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.