What's happening
This bill requires magazine publishers to include a clear customer service phone number on all subscription billing statements.
Why it matters
Empowers consumers to resolve issues more easily. By requiring a clear and conspicuous customer service phone number on magazine billing statements, subscribers can more quickly address problems like incorrect charges, unwanted renewals, or delivery issues.
Increases publisher accountability. Magazine publishers will be more directly accessible, making it harder for them to avoid or delay customer complaints, which may lead to better service standards.
Reduces the risk of subscription scams or confusion. Clear contact information helps consumers verify the legitimacy of magazine offers and billing, potentially reducing fraud and misunderstandings about subscription terms.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Magazine Customer Service Number
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Signed chap.474
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.367
- Substituted for A5228
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.462
Show 2 earlier actions
- Referred to consumer protection
- 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.
Require Magazine Phone Numbers
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5517
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose
This bill would allow readers to contact customer service representative upon receipt of a billing statement or invoice.
Summary of specific provisions
Subdivision 1-a of the bill would amend Section 335-a of the General Business Law to ensure readers are provided with a customer service telephone number in a clear and conspicuous, manner to allow easy access to the magazine's publisher.
Justification
Section 335 (a) of the General Business Law does not require publishers, who sell magazine by subscription, to disclose their customer service telephone number on billing statements or invoices. Often consumers are sent unwanted and unsolicited magazines subscriptions as a result of other subscriptions they may have ordered, or simply because another individual filled out a subscription card which can be easily found in most magazine publications and sent it to the publisher. Some consumers have reported receiving numerous subscriptions they did not request and then are left to reach the publisher which can often prove difficult. This proposed amendment would facilitate the much needed customer service relationship between readers and publishers of -magazines sold by subscription.
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.