Senate Bill No. 1248 seeks to strengthen consumer protections in Connecticut by establishing clear guidelines for businesses that offer consumer goods and services, effective July 1, 2026. The bill prohibits businesses from advertising prices that exclude mandatory fees or costs, requiring all fees to be disclosed at the time of advertisement, with exceptions for certain taxes and variable fees. It also amends existing laws on automatic renewal provisions, mandating that businesses provide consumers with the means to prevent automatic renewals or terminate services, and eliminates the requirement for a toll-free number, allowing for electronic or postal communication instead. Violations of these provisions will be classified as unfair or deceptive trade practices.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for online consumer agreements, ensuring that businesses allow consumers to cancel automatic renewals easily and without offline actions. It mandates annual reminders about renewal terms and requires businesses to maintain phone availability during business hours. For landlords, the bill updates definitions and requires that all periodic fees be included in advertised rent, with exceptions for certain variable costs. It also mandates the creation of a standardized rental terms summary form by January 1, 2026, to be included in rental agreements. Overall, SB1248 aims to create a more transparent marketplace and enhance consumer rights while imposing penalties for non-compliance.

Statutes affected:
Governor's Bill: 42-158ff
GL Joint Favorable: 42-158ff
File No. 330: 42-158ff