What's happening
This bill requires retail stores using electronic systems to track returns or exchanges to clearly notify customers and imposes penalties for violations.
Why it matters
Increases transparency for consumers. by requiring stores to alert customers if their returns or exchanges are being electronically tracked, helping buyers make more informed decisions and protecting privacy.
Empowers customers with remedies. if a store fails to provide the required notice, buyers can demand a cash refund or store credit for up to 20 days after purchase (as long as the item isn't used or damaged), giving consumers added leverage.
Creates financial consequences for non-compliance. , imposing civil penalties of $100 to $500 per violation, which incentivizes stores to follow the rules and reinforces consumer protection standards.
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
Retailers using electronic return-tracking systems
They would have to conspicuously disclose that they track buyers’ return or exchange frequency and volume, or face civil penalties of $100 to $500 per violation.
Shoppers whose returns or exchanges are tracked
They would receive notice of the tracking and, if a retailer fails to disclose it, could choose a cash refund or credit for unused, undamaged merchandise for up to 20 days after purchase.
Retail store managers and staff
They would need to ensure tracking notices appear on item labels or signs at cash registers, within view of registers, or at each public entrance.
Headline styles
Post Store Return Policies
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
7 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Ordered to third reading cal.42
- Advanced to third reading cal.172
- Reported
- Reported referred to codes
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
498
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PERRY, COLTON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. AUBRY, RIVERA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to public notification of tracking return policy
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 218-b to read as follows:
§ 218-b. Disclosure; electronic tracking of returns or exchanges. 1. Every retail mercantile establishment that utilizes an electronic system to record and monitor the frequency and volume of a buyer's return or exchange of goods, wares, or merchandise shall conspicuously post, in the following manner, a notice clearly indicating the use of such system:
(a) on a label attached to the item itself; or
(b) on a sign affixed to each cash register or point of sale; or
(c) on a sign so situated as to be clearly visible to the buyer from the cash register; or
(d) on a sign posted at each store entrance used by the public.
2. Any retail mercantile establishment that violates this section shall be liable, for a period of up to twenty days from the date of purchase, to the buyer for a cash refund or credit, at the buyer's option, provided that the merchandise has not been used or damaged by the buyer.
3. Any retail mercantile establishment that violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars for each violation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06337-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.