What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 61
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.379
- 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.
Restricts automatic renewal of contracts for electronic and life safety alarm services
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Robin Schimminger
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4231
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to automatic renewal of contracts for electronic and life safety alarm services
Purpose of the bill
To make it less likely that alarm contracts and life assist contracts will be inadvertently cancelled due to oversight of customer.
Summary of specific provisions
Adds a new section 69-xx to the General Business Law to provide that automatic renewal provisions will be unlawful unless certain requirements are met.
Justification
Under current law, notice of the automatic extension or renewal of an electronic and life safety alarm service must be given by certified mail. This is both costly for the alarm company and can be inconvenient for the customer if they are not available to receive the certified mail. In addition to the inconvenience if the customer is at work when mail is delivered, the customer may be travelling, hospitalized, or away from home for an extended period. In such event, the result can be the unintentional cancellation of an alarm monitoring/servicing contract, leaving the customer's home or health in jeopardy without his or her knowledge. This bill provides for automatic renewal if certain consumer protections are followed, so that customers who would prefer automatic renewal can be assured of a continuation of their service.
Prior legislative history
2009-10- S.7230/A.10043-JUDICIARY/Judiciary 2011-12 - S.5201/A.4338-A - PASSED SENATE/Judiciary 2013-14 - S.2443 - PASSED SENATE
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.