This bill prohibits third-party restaurant reservation services from advertising, listing, promoting, or selling reservations for food service establishments without a written agreement with the establishment. It defines a food service establishment as any place providing food for individual portion service, whether for free or sold, and regardless of where consumption occurs. The bill also clarifies that a third-party restaurant reservation service is any website, mobile application, or internet service that arranges reservations for customers at food service establishments and is not owned by the establishment itself.
Violations of this bill can result in civil penalties of up to $500 for each infraction, accruing daily for each establishment involved. Additionally, individuals charged fees by a third-party service in violation of the bill can pursue civil action in the Superior Court for various remedies, including injunctive relief and actual damages. The bill stipulates that any legal action must be initiated within one year of the alleged violation. This legislation aligns with similar laws enacted in Illinois.