Bill Text: VA HB911 | 2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Automatic renewal offers and continuous service offers; penalties.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-30 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0704) [HB911 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-HB911-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 17.8, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-207.45 through 59.1-207.49, as follows:
§59.1-200. Prohibited practices.
A. The following fraudulent acts or practices committed by a supplier in connection with a consumer transaction are hereby declared unlawful:
1. Misrepresenting goods or services as those of another;
2. Misrepresenting the source, sponsorship, approval, or certification of goods or services;
3. Misrepresenting the affiliation, connection, or association of the supplier, or of the goods or services, with another;
4. Misrepresenting geographic origin in connection with goods or services;
5. Misrepresenting that goods or services have certain quantities, characteristics, ingredients, uses, or benefits;
6. Misrepresenting that goods or services are of a particular standard, quality, grade, style, or model;
7. Advertising or offering for sale goods that are used, secondhand, repossessed, defective, blemished, deteriorated, or reconditioned, or that are "seconds," irregulars, imperfects, or "not first class," without clearly and unequivocally indicating in the advertisement or offer for sale that the goods are used, secondhand, repossessed, defective, blemished, deteriorated, reconditioned, or are "seconds," irregulars, imperfects or "not first class";
8. Advertising goods or services with intent not to sell them as advertised, or with intent not to sell at the price or upon the terms advertised.
In any action brought under this subdivision, the refusal by any person, or any employee, agent, or servant thereof, to sell any goods or services advertised or offered for sale at the price or upon the terms advertised or offered, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this subdivision. This paragraph shall not apply when it is clearly and conspicuously stated in the advertisement or offer by which such goods or services are advertised or offered for sale, that the supplier or offeror has a limited quantity or amount of such goods or services for sale, and the supplier or offeror at the time of such advertisement or offer did in fact have or reasonably expected to have at least such quantity or amount for sale;
9. Making false or misleading statements of fact concerning the reasons for, existence of, or amounts of price reductions;
10. Misrepresenting that repairs, alterations, modifications, or services have been performed or parts installed;
11. Misrepresenting by the use of any written or documentary material that appears to be an invoice or bill for merchandise or services previously ordered;
12. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, using in any manner the words "wholesale," "wholesaler," "factory," or "manufacturer" in the supplier's name, or to describe the nature of the supplier's business, unless the supplier is actually engaged primarily in selling at wholesale or in manufacturing the goods or services advertised or offered for sale;
13. Using in any contract or lease any liquidated damage clause, penalty clause, or waiver of defense, or attempting to collect any liquidated damages or penalties under any clause, waiver, damages, or penalties that are void or unenforceable under any otherwise applicable laws of the Commonwealth, or under federal statutes or regulations;
13a. Failing to provide to a consumer, or failing to use or include in any written document or material provided to or executed by a consumer, in connection with a consumer transaction any statement, disclosure, notice, or other information however characterized when the supplier is required by 16 C.F.R. Part 433 to so provide, use, or include the statement, disclosure, notice, or other information in connection with the consumer transaction;
14. Using any other deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, or misrepresentation in connection with a consumer transaction;
15. Violating any provision of §3.2-6512, 3.2-6513, or 3.2-6516, relating to the sale of certain animals by pet dealers which is described in such sections, is a violation of this chapter;
16. Failing to disclose all conditions, charges, or fees relating to:
a. The return of goods for refund, exchange, or credit. Such disclosure shall be by means of a sign attached to the goods, or placed in a conspicuous public area of the premises of the supplier, so as to be readily noticeable and readable by the person obtaining the goods from the supplier. If the supplier does not permit a refund, exchange, or credit for return, he shall so state on a similar sign. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any retail merchant who has a policy of providing, for a period of not less than 20 days after date of purchase, a cash refund or credit to the purchaser's credit card account for the return of defective, unused, or undamaged merchandise upon presentation of proof of purchase. In the case of merchandise paid for by check, the purchase shall be treated as a cash purchase and any refund may be delayed for a period of 10 banking days to allow for the check to clear. This subdivision does not apply to sale merchandise that is obviously distressed, out of date, post season, or otherwise reduced for clearance; nor does this subdivision apply to special order purchases where the purchaser has requested the supplier to order merchandise of a specific or unusual size, color, or brand not ordinarily carried in the store or the store's catalog; nor shall this subdivision apply in connection with a transaction for the sale or lease of motor vehicles, farm tractors, or motorcycles as defined in § 46.2-100;
b. A layaway agreement. Such disclosure shall be furnished to the consumer (i) in writing at the time of the layaway agreement, or (ii) by means of a sign placed in a conspicuous public area of the premises of the supplier, so as to be readily noticeable and readable by the consumer, or (iii) on the bill of sale. Disclosure shall include the conditions, charges, or fees in the event that a consumer breaches the agreement;
16a. Failing to provide written notice to a consumer of an existing open-end credit balance in excess of $5 (i) on an account maintained by the supplier and (ii) resulting from such consumer's overpayment on such account. Suppliers shall give consumers written notice of such credit balances within 60 days of receiving overpayments. If the credit balance information is incorporated into statements of account furnished consumers by suppliers within such 60-day period, no separate or additional notice is required;
17. If a supplier enters into a written agreement with a consumer to resolve a dispute that arises in connection with a consumer transaction, failing to adhere to the terms and conditions of such an agreement;
18. Violating any provision of the Virginia Health Club Act, Chapter 24 (§59.1-294 et seq.);
19. Violating any provision of the Virginia Home Solicitation Sales Act, Chapter 2.1 (§59.1-21.1 et seq.);
20. Violating any provision of the Automobile Repair Facilities Act, Chapter 17.1 (§59.1-207.1 et seq.);
21. Violating any provision of the Virginia Lease-Purchase Agreement Act, Chapter 17.4 (§59.1-207.17 et seq.);
22. Violating any provision of the Prizes and Gifts Act, Chapter 31 (§59.1-415 et seq.);
23. Violating any provision of the Virginia Public Telephone Information Act, Chapter 32 (§59.1-424 et seq.);
24. Violating any provision of §54.1-1505;
25. Violating any provision of the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers' Warranty Adjustment Act, Chapter 17.6 (§59.1-207.34 et seq.);
26. Violating any provision of §3.2-5627, relating to the pricing of merchandise;
27. Violating any provision of the Pay-Per-Call Services Act, Chapter 33 (§59.1-429 et seq.);
28. Violating any provision of the Extended Service Contract Act, Chapter 34 (§59.1-435 et seq.);
29. Violating any provision of the Virginia Membership Camping Act, Chapter 25 (§59.1-311 et seq.);
30. Violating any provision of the Comparison Price Advertising Act, Chapter 17.7 (§59.1-207.40 et seq.);
31. Violating any provision of the Virginia Travel Club Act, Chapter 36 (§59.1-445 et seq.);
32. Violating any provision of §§46.2-1231 and 46.2-1233.1;
33. Violating any provision of Chapter 40 (§54.1-4000 et seq.) of Title 54.1;
34. Violating any provision of Chapter 10.1 (§58.1-1031 et seq.) of Title 58.1;
35. Using the consumer's social security number as the consumer's account number with the supplier, if the consumer has requested in writing that the supplier use an alternate number not associated with the consumer's social security number;
36. Violating any provision of Chapter 18 (§6.2-1800 et seq.) of Title 6.2;
37. Violating any provision of §8.01-40.2;
38. Violating any provision of Article 7 (§32.1-212 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 32.1;
39. Violating any provision of Chapter 34.1 (§59.1-441.1 et seq.);
40. Violating any provision of Chapter 20 (§6.2-2000 et seq.) of Title 6.2;
41. Violating any provision of the Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act, Chapter 46 (§59.1-525 et seq.);
42. Violating any provision of Chapter 47 (§59.1-530 et seq.);
43. Violating any provision of §59.1-443.2;
44. Violating any provision of Chapter 48 (§59.1-533 et seq.);
45. Violating any provision of Chapter 25 (§6.2-2500 et seq.) of Title 6.2;
46. Violating the provisions of clause (i) of subsection B of §54.1-1115;
47. Violating any provision of §18.2-239;
48. Violating any provision of Chapter 26 (§59.1-336 et seq.);
49. Selling, offering for sale, or manufacturing for sale a children's product the supplier knows or has reason to know was recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. There is a rebuttable presumption that a supplier has reason to know a children's product was recalled if notice of the recall has been posted continuously at least 30 days before the sale, offer for sale, or manufacturing for sale on the website of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This prohibition does not apply to children's products that are used, secondhand or "seconds";
50. Violating any provision of Chapter 44.1 (§59.1-518.1 et seq.);
51. Violating any provision of Chapter 22 (§6.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 6.2;
52. Violating any provision of §8.2-317.1;
53. Violating subsection A of §9.1-149.1;
54. Selling, offering for sale, or using in the construction, remodeling, or repair of any residential dwelling in the Commonwealth, any drywall that the supplier knows or has reason to know is defective drywall. This subdivision shall not apply to the sale or offering for sale of any building or structure in which defective drywall has been permanently installed or affixed;
55. Engaging in fraudulent or improper or dishonest conduct as
defined in §54.1-1118 while engaged in a transaction that was initiated (i)
during a declared state of emergency as defined in §44-146.16 or (ii) to
repair damage resulting from the event that prompted the declaration of a state
of emergency, regardless of whether the supplier is licensed as a contractor in
the Commonwealth pursuant to Chapter 11 (§54.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 54.1;
and
56. Violating any provision of Chapter 33.1 (§59.1-434.1 et seq.); and
57. Violating any provision of Chapter 17.8 (§59.1-207.45 et seq.).
B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to invalidate or make unenforceable any contract or lease solely by reason of the failure of such contract or lease to comply with any other law of the Commonwealth or any federal statute or regulation, to the extent such other law, statute, or regulation provides that a violation of such law, statute, or regulation shall not invalidate or make unenforceable such contract or lease.
§59.1-207.45. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Automatic renewal" means a plan or arrangement in which a paid subscription or purchasing agreement is automatically renewed at the end of a definite term for a subsequent term.
"Automatic renewal offer terms" means the following clear and conspicuous disclosures:
1. That the subscription or purchasing agreement will continue until the consumer cancels;
2. The description of the cancellation policy that applies to the offer;
3. The recurring charges that will be charged to the consumer's credit or debit card or payment account with a third party as part of the automatic renewal plan or arrangement and that the amount of the charge may change, if that is the case, and the amount to which the charge will change, if known;
4. The length of the automatic renewal term or that the service is continuous, unless the length of the term is chosen by the consumer; and
5. The minimum purchase obligation, if any.
"Clear and conspicuous" or "clearly and conspicuously" means in larger type than the surrounding text, or in contrasting type, font, or color to the surrounding text of the same size, or set off from the surrounding text of the same size by symbols or other marks, in a manner that clearly calls attention to the language. In the case of an audio disclosure, "clear and conspicuous" or "clearly and conspicuously" means in a volume and cadence sufficient to be readily audible and understandable.
"Consumer" means any individual who seeks or acquires, by purchase or lease, any goods, services, money, or credit for personal, family, or household purposes.
"Continuous service" means a plan or arrangement in which a subscription or purchasing agreement continues until the consumer cancels the service.
"Supplier" has the same meaning ascribed thereto in §59.1-198.
§59.1-207.46. Making automatic renewal or continuous service offer to consumer; affirmative consent required; disclosures; prohibited conduct.
A. No supplier making an automatic renewal or continuous service offer to a consumer in the Commonwealth shall do any of the following:
1. Fail to present the automatic renewal offer terms or continuous service offer terms in a clear and conspicuous manner before the consumer becomes obligated on the automatic renewal or continuous service offer and in visual proximity, or in the case of an offer conveyed by voice, in temporal proximity, to the request for consent to the offer.
2. Charge the consumer's credit or debit card or the consumer's account with a third party for an automatic renewal or continuous service without first obtaining the consumer's affirmative consent to the agreement containing the automatic renewal offer terms or continuous service offer terms.
3. Fail to provide an acknowledgment that includes the automatic renewal or continuous service offer terms, cancellation policy, and information regarding how to cancel in a manner that is capable of being retained by the consumer. If the offer includes a free trial, the supplier shall also disclose in the acknowledgment how to cancel and allow the consumer to cancel before the consumer pays or becomes obligated to pay for the goods or services.
B. A supplier making automatic renewal or continuous service offers shall provide a toll-free telephone number, an electronic mail address, a postal address only when the supplier directly bills the consumer, or another cost-effective, timely, and easy-to-use mechanism for cancellation that shall be described in the acknowledgment specified in subdivision A 3.
C. In the case of a material change in the terms of the automatic renewal or continuous service offer that has been accepted by a consumer in the Commonwealth, the supplier shall provide the consumer with a clear and conspicuous notice of the material change and provide information regarding how to cancel in a manner that is capable of being retained by the consumer.
D. The requirements of this section shall apply only prior to the completion of the initial order for the automatic renewal or continuous service, except:
1. The requirement in subdivision A 3 may be fulfilled after completion of the initial order; and
2. The requirement in subsection C shall be fulfilled prior to implementation of the material change.
§59.1-207.47. When goods, wares, merchandise, or products deemed a gift.
In any case in which a supplier sends any goods, wares, merchandise, or products to a consumer under a continuous service agreement or automatic renewal of a purchase without first obtaining the consumer's affirmative consent as described in §59.1-207.46, the goods, wares, merchandise, or products shall for all purposes be deemed an unconditional gift to the consumer, who may use or dispose of the same in any manner he sees fit without any obligation whatsoever on the consumer's part to the supplier, including any obligation or responsibility for shipping any goods, wares, merchandise, or products to the supplier.
§59.1-207.48. Exemptions.
This chapter shall not apply to:
1. Any service provided by a supplier or its affiliate where either the supplier or its affiliate is doing business pursuant to a franchise issued by a political subdivision of the Commonwealth or a license, franchise, certificate, or other authorization issued by the State Corporation Commission to a public service company or public utility pursuant to Title 56;
2. Any service provided by a supplier or its affiliate where either the supplier or its affiliate is regulated by the State Corporation Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
3. Alarm company operators that are regulated pursuant to § 15.2-911;
4. A bank, bank holding company, or the subsidiary or affiliate of either, or a credit union or other financial institution, licensed under federal or state law;
5. Any home protection company regulated by the State Corporation Commission pursuant to Chapter 26 (§38.2-2600 et seq.) of Title 38.2;
6. Any home service contract provider regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to Chapter 33.1 (§ 59.1-434.1 et seq.); or
7. Any health club registered pursuant to the Virginia Health Club Act (59.1-294 et seq.).
§59.1-207.49. Enforcement; penalties.
Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a prohibited practice under the provisions of §59.1-200 and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§59.1-196 et seq.). However, if a supplier makes a good faith effort to comply with the requirements of this chapter, the supplier shall not be subject to either a civil penalty under §59.1-206 or damages under §59.1-204.
2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on January 1, 2019.
