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History
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Authorizes the attorney general to bring an action for violation of the prohibitions concerning unlawful selling practices and specifies damages awardable
In Senate Committee · Consumer Protection · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7283
Title of bill
An act to authorize John Leslie Bergmann to apply for and receive service credit, for service in the employment of a participating employer in the New York state and local employees' retirement system, in the New York city teachers' retirement system
Purpose of the bill
Authorizes the attorney general to bring an action to protect consumers who are sent unsolicited goods and later billed with their only recourse being sending back the goods at their own expense.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends section 396 of the general business law as it relates to authorizing the attorney general to take action against violations of the unsolicited and unordered good provisions. It allows the attorney general to recover damages of either the actual damages or up to $500 for each violation. The court may also award the costs of the action together with reasonable attorney's fees.
Justification
Consumers are sometimes sent unsolicited goods under the pretense that they will not be charged if they return the goods. This requires the consumer to both buy postage and the take the time and energy to pack up and mail out a product they never ordered in the first place. If consumers simply ignore the matter they are threatened with collection notices and credit report damage. This practice is deceptive and unethical and the Attorney General should be empowered to stop it.
Prior legislative history
A.2213 of 2011-12; A.8049 of 2009-10.
Fiscal implications for state
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to all selling practices pertaining to unordered goods.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.