BILL NUMBER: S8811
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to the attorney
general's ability to protect New Yorkers from unfair, deceptive and
abusive business practices; and to repeal certain provisions of such law
relating thereto
 
PURPOSE:
This is a chapter amendment to L.2025, c.708, to repeal the legislative
intent, redefine the scope of substantial injury, and make technical
amendments.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This legislation amends the underlying chapter amendment by removing the
legislative intent, repealing the provision that allowed substantial
injury to apply to non-consumers, change timeline of response to notice
from five business days to ten calendar days, and makes technical amend-
ments.
 
EXISTING LAW:
None.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation is a negotiated change to the underlying chapter. The
"Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable (FAIR) busi-
ness practices act" ("the FAIR Business Practices Act" or "underlying
chapter") updates the Attorney General's powers to enforce New York's
consumer protection laws by adding federal authorities that are present-
ly at risk of falling into disuse.
The underlying chapter brings the Attorney General's consumer protection
authority into line with now-47 states that outlaw unfair business prac-
tices, and updates enforcement mechanisms not touched since 1980.
It also augments the Attorney General's powers to protect consumers and
businesses in the wake of the federal government's attempted dismantle-
ment of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB protected New
Yorkers from abusive acts perpetrated by businesses).
The Attorney General's Office anticipates that the statute will help
stop a range of unscrupulous business practices that cost New Yorkers
more money, such as lenders, including auto lenders, mortgage servicers,
and student loan servicers that deceptively steer borrowers into higher
cost loans. The new law will also reduce unnecessary and hidden fees,
stop unfair billing practices by health care companies, and prevent
companies from taking advantage of New Yorkers with limited English
proficiency.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Chapter amendment to Chapter 708 of the Laws of 2025. S.8416 and
A.8427-A, both passed the Senate and Assembly, respectfully, in June
2025.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a
chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the general business law, in
relation to the Attorney General's ability to protect New Yorkers from
unfair, deceptive, and abusive business practices, as proposed in legis-
lative bills numbers S.8416 and A.8427-A, takes effect.