What's happening
This bill prohibits car rental companies in New York from requiring customers to own a credit card to rent or operate a vehicle.
Why it matters
Expands consumer access. By prohibiting car rental companies from requiring credit card ownership, the bill allows more people—such as those who only have debit cards or use alternative payment methods—to rent vehicles, making car rentals accessible to a broader population.
Reduces financial discrimination. The bill helps prevent unfair barriers for individuals who may not qualify for or choose not to use credit cards, supporting equity for young adults, recent immigrants, and others with limited or no credit history.
Clarifies who can drive rentals. The bill introduces a clear definition of "authorized driver," ensuring that spouses, emergency drivers, and specifically named individuals on the rental agreement are all explicitly permitted, potentially reducing confusion and disputes.
May impact business practices. Rental companies might need to update their payment, deposit, and security procedures to accommodate customers without credit cards, which could influence costs, policies, and customer service approaches.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Rental Credit Card Bias
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2343
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GANTT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to the rental of motor vehicles
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs c and d of subdivision 1 of section 391-1 of the general business law, as added by chapter 573 of the laws of 1980 and such section as redesignated by chapter 694 of the laws of 1995, are amended and two new paragraphs e and f are added to read as follows:
c. "Motor vehicle" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto by section one hundred twenty-five of the vehicle and traffic law; [and]
d. "Credit card" shall mean any credit card, credit plate, charge plate or other identification card or device which is issued by a person to another person as the holder thereof, and may be used by such holder to obtain a cash advance or a loan or credit, or to purchase or rent property or services on the credit of the person issuing the credit card or of the holder[.];
e. "Authorized driver" shall mean: (i) the person to whom the vehicle is rented if a licensed driver; (ii) such person's spouse if licensed and at least eighteen years of age; (iii) any person who operates the vehicle during an emergency situation to a medical facility; or (iv) any licensed driver expressly listed on the rental agreement as an authorized driver; and
f. "Rental agreement" means any written agreement setting forth terms and conditions governing the authorized driver's use of a rental vehicle, as defined in section one hundred thirty-seven-a of the vehicle and traffic law, for a period not to exceed thirty continuous days.
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 391-l of the general business law, as added by chapter 573 of the laws of 1980 and such section as redesignated by chapter 694 of the laws of 1995, is amended to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00733-01-9
A. 2343 2
2. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, association or corporation engaged in the business of renting motor vehicles to refuse to rent such vehicle to any person solely on the requirement of ownership of a credit card or require any person to own a credit card in order to operate a vehicle or enter into a rental agreement.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
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.