Senate Bill No. 1248 seeks to strengthen consumer protections in Connecticut by establishing clear guidelines for businesses that offer consumer goods and services, particularly regarding pricing transparency and automatic renewal agreements. Effective July 1, 2026, the bill prohibits businesses from advertising prices that exclude mandatory fees, requiring all fees and charges to be disclosed at the time of advertisement, with exceptions for certain taxes and fees. It also amends existing laws on automatic renewals, mandating that businesses provide consumers with clear disclosures about recurring charges and the terms of agreements before renewal. The bill replaces the requirement for a toll-free number with the option for businesses to provide a telephone number or online means for consumers to manage their agreements, emphasizing that businesses cannot charge for automatic renewals without affirmative consent.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for landlords, mandating that all periodic fees be included in the advertised rent and establishing a standardized rental terms summary form to be provided to tenants. It makes criminal lockouts illegal without a court order and imposes civil penalties for landlords who violate these provisions. The effective dates for various sections of the bill range from July 1, 2026, to October 1, 2025. Overall, SB1248 aims to enhance transparency in pricing and consumer agreements while ensuring that tenants are adequately informed of their rights and responsibilities.

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