Pennsylvania House Bill 989 expands consumer cancellation rights to online and app-based purchases

Original title: An Act amending the act of December 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387), known as the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, further providing for contracts and effect of rescission.

Last action · March 24, 2025: Referred to CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY AND UTILITIES, March 24, 2025Sponsors: Kristine Howard and 10 others

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What This Bill Would Do

House Bill 989 expands Pennsylvania's consumer protection laws to allow buyers to cancel online or app-initiated purchases of $25 or more within three business days, matching existing rules for in-person and phone sales. Sellers must provide cancellation forms in both English and the language principally used in the sales presentation, and refund payments within ten business days of receiving a cancellation notice.

Why it matters

Online shoppers gaining a statutory three-day cooling-off period means digital purchases over $25 made via websites or software applications now carry the same cancellation and refund rights as in-person or telephone solicitations.

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.

Directly affected

Consumers

Consumers gain a statutory three-day right to cancel online and app-based purchases of $25 or more and receive refunds within ten business days.

Directly affected

Sellers and merchants

Sellers using websites or software applications must provide dual-language receipts, email contact information, and specific cancellation forms, and process refunds within ten business days.

Key Facts

Expands the three-day right of rescission for sales of $25 or more to include purchases initiated by a buyer via an internet website or software application.
Requires sellers to provide a completed receipt or contract copy in English and in the language principally used during the oral or online sales presentation.
Mandates that receipts or contracts include the physical and email address of the seller, along with a boldface cancellation notice of at least ten points.
Requires sellers to return any traded-in property, payments made, or negotiable instruments within ten business days following receipt of a cancellation notice.

Show all 7 facts

Allows consumers to retain or dispose of delivered goods without further obligation if they make the goods available and the seller fails to pick them up within twenty days of the cancellation notice.
Specifies that cancellation notices may be delivered via signed and dated written notice, telegram, or email.
Sets an effective date of 60 days after final enactment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of purchases are covered under this bill?

The bill covers sales of goods or services priced at $25 or more that are sold as a result of an in-person or telephone contact at a residence, or initiated by a buyer via an internet website or software application.

How long do I have to cancel a covered transaction?

A consumer may cancel the transaction at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction.

What must the seller return if a purchase is cancelled?

The seller must return any property traded in, any payments made under the contract or sale, and any executed by the buyer within ten business days following receipt of the cancellation notice.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

1 action

Mar 24, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY AND UTILITIES, March 24, 2025

Version history

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