What's happening
This bill requires magazine publishers to include a clearly visible customer service phone number on every subscription billing statement.
Why it matters
Empowers consumers to resolve issues more easily. By requiring a clearly visible customer service phone number on every subscription billing statement, subscribers are given a direct way to address problems like missed issues, billing errors, or unwanted renewals.
Promotes accountability and transparency in the magazine industry. Publishers would be legally obligated to provide a contact point, making it harder for them to ignore or delay addressing customer complaints.
Could reduce consumer frustration and improve trust. Easy access to customer service may lead to higher satisfaction among readers, potentially improving the reputation of publishers who comply and making it harder for less reputable companies to hide from dissatisfied customers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Magazine Phone Numbers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Substituted by S5517
- Ordered to third reading cal.367
- Advanced to third reading cal.219
- Reported
- Reported referred to codes
- Referred to consumer affairs and 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.
Require Magazine Customer Service Number
Signed by Governor · Sponsor David Carlucci
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5228
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 7, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. DINOWITZ, GALEF, ABINANTI, M. G. MILLER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, CROUCH, PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring publishers of magazine subscriptions to disclose on the billing statements a customer service telephone number
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 335-a of the general business law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. Every publisher of a magazine sold by subscription shall disclose by a notice on the billing statement or invoice of each magazine, mailed pursuant to subscription, a customer service telephone number. Such notice shall be printed or written in a clear and conspicuous form.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03561-01-7
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.