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 for sale, and includes various forms of service such as on-premises dining or takeout. The bill specifies 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 act 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 act can pursue civil action in the Superior Court for injunctive relief, actual damages, attorney's fees, and other remedies deemed appropriate by the court. The bill also establishes a one-year statute of limitations for bringing actions related to violations. This legislation aligns with similar laws enacted in Illinois.