Relates to the right to cancel a membership campground contract

BILL NUMBER:S157

Title of bill

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to cancellation of membership campground contracts

Purpose or general idea of bill

Provides members of membership campgrounds grounds to surrender those memberships

Summary of specific provisions

Amends Section 654 of the general business law by adding a new subdivision 3 specifying conditions which will allow membership in a membership campground to be surrendered.

Justification

Many New Yorkers purchase memberships in membership campgrounds to enjoy the facilities and conveniences offered. unfortunately, some contracts include provisions that lock in the purchaser under conditions that can be considered unconscionable. Additionally, these contracts may not even allow a member to resign their membership, even as life changes may have made it impossible for that person to continue to use those facilities. This bill addresses the issue by providing the ability for members of membership campgrounds to resign their memberships under limited circumstances. Persons who have relocated at least 500 miles from the membership campground or have been certified by a physician as being unable for medical reasons to continue to use those facilities will be allowed to resign provided that they are current with all dues or fees owed to that campground. In addition, the bill will allow a person who has been a member in good standing for at least five years to resign their membership as well. Taken together, these will provide consumer safeguards while still protecting the ability of membership campgrounds to count on long term usage and membership for their own planning purposes.

Prior legislative history

S.4859/S.6507 of 2009-2010; Referred to Consumer Protection

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

None.

Effective date

Immediately.