The bill H.699, introduced by Representative Priestley, aims to enhance consumer protection in Vermont by amending existing statutes to explicitly prohibit abusive acts or practices in commerce. The proposed changes include the addition of a new definition for "abusive acts or practices," which encompasses any conduct that materially interferes with a consumer's understanding of the risks, costs, terms, or conditions of a product or service, or takes unreasonable advantage of a consumer's lack of understanding or reliance on a seller. This amendment seeks to provide clearer guidelines for what constitutes abusive behavior in commercial transactions.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Attorney General adopt rules to enforce these new provisions regarding abusive acts or practices, alongside existing regulations on unfair methods of competition and deceptive acts. The violation of any rules established by the Attorney General will serve as prima facie evidence of an unfair or deceptive act in commerce. The bill is set to take effect upon passage, thereby allowing for immediate implementation of these consumer protections.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 9-2453