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Read. Follow. Verify.Pennsylvania requires clear disclosures and renewal notices for automatic renewal service contracts
Last action · January 10, 2025: Referred to COMMERCE, Jan. 10, 2025Sponsors: Scott Conklin and 18 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Pennsylvania legislation requires vendors to clearly disclose automatic renewal terms in service contracts and provide written or electronic notice 30 to 60 days before any cancellation deadline. If a vendor or contract is acquired by a new owner, the must notify consumers of the change within 60 days and provide an opportunity to opt out.
Consumers gain the legal right to void s and treat non-compliant renewals as unfair trade practices, while service vendors must retain electronic proof of renewal notices for six years following the term expiration.
- Automatic renewal contracts, commonly called negative option subscriptions, have historically generated consumer complaints regarding unexpected charges and difficult cancellation procedures. context
- Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law serves as the primary statute for prosecuting deceptive business practices in the Commonwealth. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Consumers
Consumers receive mandatory advance notices, clear disclosures, and cancellation rights regarding automatic contract renewals.
Vendors
Vendors must update contract disclosures, send scheduled renewal reminders, and retain proof of notification for six years.
Acquirers
Acquirers of businesses or contracts must notify consumers of ownership changes within 60 days and provide opt-out opportunities.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must a vendor notify me before my contract automatically renews?
What happens if a vendor fails to comply with the automatic renewal disclosure rules?
Are all types of service contracts covered under this act?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 10, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to COMMERCE, Jan. 10, 2025
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 14 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Unfair Trade Practices
The bill explicitly ties violations of automatic renewal rules to the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, granting enforcement authority to the Attorney General and district attorneys.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.palegis.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy30Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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