S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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11119--B
I N A S S E M B L Y
May 18, 2010
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Introduced by M. of A. PHEFFER, REILICH, DelMONTE -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection --
committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
recommitted to said committee -- reported and referred to the Commit-
tee on Codes -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted
as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to cancellation of
membership camping contracts
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section
654-a to read as follows:
S 654-A. CANCELLATION OF MEMBERSHIP CAMPING CONTRACTS. 1. FOR THE
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
MEANINGS:
A. "ADULT CARE FACILITY" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS SUCH TERM IS
DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-ONE OF SECTION TWO OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES
LAW, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION THE TERM
"ADULT CARE FACILITY" SHALL NOT INCLUDE A SHELTER FOR ADULTS;
B. "DOMESTIC PARTNER" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS SUCH TERM IS
DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION TWENTY-NINE HUNDRED
NINETY-FOUR-A OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW.
C. "RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS
SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT
HUNDRED ONE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW; AND
D. "SHELTER FOR ADULTS" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS SUCH TERM IS
DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-THREE OF SECTION TWO OF THE SOCIAL
SERVICES LAW.
2. A. UPON THE EXPIRATION OF THE CANCELLATION PERIOD PROVIDED UNDER
SECTION SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE, A PURCHASER OF A MEMBER-
SHIP CAMPING CONTRACT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL SUCH CONTRACT UNDER
THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
(1) THERE IS A MATERIAL BREACH OF CONTRACT BY THE MEMBERSHIP CAMP-
GROUND OPERATOR TO PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AS SET
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD17325-11-0
A. 11119--B 2
FORTH AND IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN THE MEMBERSHIP CAMPING CONTRACT. A
NATURAL DISASTER OR PHENOMENA, FAILURE OR SHORTAGE OF ELECTRIC POWER OR
OTHER SOURCE OF ENERGY, UNAUTHORIZED OR ILLEGAL ACTS, LABOR STRIKES OR
DISPUTES DISRUPTING OPERATIONS, OR GOVERNMENTAL, JUDICIAL, OR LAW
ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS SHALL NOT BE A BASIS FOR CANCELLATION, UNLESS THE
MEMBERSHIP CAMPGROUND OPERATOR FAILS TO DILIGENTLY RESTORE SUCH SERVICES
AND PROGRAMS WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME; OR
(2) THE PURCHASER HAS RELOCATED TO A PERMANENT RESIDENCE NOT LESS THAN
FIVE HUNDRED MILES FROM THE CAMPGROUND OR THE LOCATION OF ANY OTHER
CAMPGROUND AVAILABLE TO THE PURCHASER PURSUANT TO ONE OR MORE RECIPROCAL
PROGRAMS OUTLINED IN THE MEMBERSHIP CAMPING CONTRACT; OR
(3) THE PURCHASER, OR THE PURCHASER'S SPOUSE OR DOMESTIC PARTNER
CURRENTLY RESIDES IN OR IS NOTIFIED OF AND ACCEPTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO
COMMENCE OCCUPANCY IN AN ADULT CARE FACILITY OR A RESIDENTIAL HEALTH
CARE FACILITY AND THE PURCHASER PROVIDES A COPY OF SUCH NOTIFICATION OR
PROOF OF RESIDENCY TO THE OPERATOR; OR
(4) THE PURCHASER OR THE PURCHASER'S SPOUSE OR DOMESTIC PARTNER
RECEIVES A WRITTEN CERTIFICATION FROM A PHYSICIAN STATING THAT THE
PURCHASER OR THE PURCHASER'S SPOUSE OR DOMESTIC PARTNER IS BEDRIDDEN,
HOUSEBOUND, OR SIMILARLY PHYSICALLY UNABLE DUE TO AILMENT OR INJURY TO
VISIT THE CAMPGROUND AND MATERIALLY UTILIZE ANY OF THE SERVICES AND
PROGRAMS AS OUTLINED IN THE MEMBERSHIP CAMPING CONTRACT, AND SUCH CONDI-
TION IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE TEMPORARY. THE PURCHASER MUST PROVIDE A COPY
OF SUCH CERTIFICATION TO THE OPERATOR; OR
(5) THE PURCHASER OF A CONTRACT SIGNED BY MORE THAN ONE PURCHASER
PROVIDES TO THE OPERATOR A COPY OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING, WITHIN SIX
MONTHS OF ITS ISSUANCE, INVOLVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY ANOTHER SIGNATORY
OF THE SAME CONTRACT: (A) A VALID DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENT REPORT FORM
AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FIFTEEN OF SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED
THIRTY-SEVEN OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; (B) A VALID POLICE REPORT; (C) A
VALID ORDER OF PROTECTION; OR (D) A SIGNED AFFIDAVIT FROM A LICENSED
MEDICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, EMPLOYEE OF A COURT ACTING WITH-
IN THE SCOPE OF HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL WORKER, A RAPE CRISIS
COUNSELOR AS DEFINED IN SECTION FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN OF THE CIVIL
PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, OR ADVOCATE ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN AGENCY THAT
ASSISTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS. PARAGRAPH D OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL
NOT APPLY TO A PURCHASER CANCELING UNDER THIS SUBPARAGRAPH. A CLAIM FOR
TERMINATION UNDER THIS SUBPARAGRAPH SHALL BE MADE IN GOOD FAITH. TERMI-
NATION UNDER THIS SUBPARAGRAPH SHALL REQUIRE, AND THE PROVISION OF ANY
OF THE ITEMS IN (A) THROUGH (D) OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, FOR THE PURPOSES
OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, SHALL BE PRESUMPTIVE EVIDENCE OF THE CONTINUED
EXISTENCE OF A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL HARM TO THE
PURCHASER OR PURCHASER'S CHILD. PROVISION OF ANY OF THE ITEMS IN (A)
THROUGH (D) OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH SHALL GIVE THE OPERATOR, AT ITS OPTION,
THE RIGHT TO INVESTIGATE AND, BASED ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN SUCH
ITEMS, IF HE OR SHE DETERMINES THAT THE SAFETY OF CAMPGROUND USERS OR
EMPLOYEES WOULD BE ENDANGERED BY ALLOWING THE PURCHASER THAT IS NOT
EXERCISING HIS OR HER RIGHTS UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION TO REMAIN AUTHORIZED
TO USE THE CAMPGROUND FACILITIES, THE OPERATOR SHALL PROVIDE WRITTEN
NOTICE OF SUCH DETERMINATION TO SUCH PURCHASER WHICH SHALL INFORM SUCH
PURCHASER OF HIS OR HER RIGHT TO RESPOND IN WRITING TO THE OPERATOR
WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF RECEIPT OF SUCH NOTICE. UPON EXPIRATION OF THE
THIRTY DAY PERIOD, IF THE OPERATOR REASONABLY DETERMINES THAT THE
RESPONSE FROM THE PURCHASER NOT EXERCISING HIS OR HER RIGHTS UNDER THIS
SUBDIVISION IS INSUFFICIENT, THE OPERATOR MAY TERMINATE THE CONTRACT OF
SUCH PURCHASER.
A. 11119--B 3
B. WHEN A PURCHASER CANCELS A CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION
SUCH PURCHASER SHALL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE PAID THE PURCHASE PRICE OF HIS
OR HER MEMBERSHIP IN FULL, AS WELL AS ALL OUTSTANDING FEES, DUES, OR ANY
OTHER PAYMENTS DUE AT THE TIME OF CANCELLATION AND FOR NINETY DAYS THER-
EAFTER. HOWEVER, IF ALL OF THE PURCHASERS WHO SIGNED THE CONTRACT DIE,
THE RELEVANT ESTATE OR ESTATES SHALL BE RELIEVED OF ANY FURTHER OBLI-
GATION UNDER THE CONTRACT NOT THEN DUE AND OWING.
C. WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF THE INTENT TO CANCEL A MEMBERSHIP CAMP-
GROUND CONTRACT SHALL BE SIGNED BY THE PURCHASER OR HIS OR HER LEGALLY
DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE AND DELIVERED TO THE OPERATOR BY CERTIFIED
MAIL DULY ADDRESSED TO THE OPERATOR. SUCH NOTIFICATION SHALL INCLUDE A
WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT CERTIFIES THAT THE REPRESENTATIONS ARE TRUE AND
CORRECT, AND CONTAIN NO MATERIAL OMISSIONS OF FACT TO THE BEST KNOWLEDGE
AND BELIEF OF THE PERSON SUBMITTING THE CERTIFICATION.
D. IN THE EVENT THAT THE MEMBERSHIP CAMPGROUND CONTRACT IS SIGNED BY
MORE THAN ONE PURCHASER, AND ONE OR MORE PURCHASERS MEET THE REQUIRE-
MENTS TO CANCEL PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION, EVERY PURCHASER UNDER THE
CONTRACT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT PROVIDED THE OTHER
PURCHASER OR PURCHASERS SO NOTIFY THE OPERATOR BY SIGNING AND DELIVER-
ING, AT THE SAME TIME, THE SAME CANCELLATION NOTICE REQUIRED BY PARA-
GRAPH C OF THIS SUBDIVISION SIGNED BY THE PURCHASER OR PURCHASERS MEET-
ING THE CANCELLATION REQUIREMENTS, IN WHICH CASE ALL SUCH PURCHASER OR
PURCHASERS WHO SIGN THE CANCELLATION NOTICE SHALL BE RELIEVED OF ANY
FURTHER OBLIGATION UNDER THE CONTRACT EXCEPT FOR THOSE OBLIGATIONS
OUTLINED IN PARAGRAPH B OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
S 2. Subdivision 2-a of section 653 of the general business law, as
amended by chapter 489 of the laws of 1990, is amended to read as
follows:
2-a. The following statement, in bold letters of at least ten point
type, which advises the purchaser of the right to cancel the contract
under section six hundred fifty-four of this article shall be contained
in the contract:
YOU MAY CANCEL THIS MEMBERSHIP CONTRACT WITHOUT ANY PENALTY,
FORFEITURE, OR FURTHER OBLIGATION WITHIN THREE (3) BUSINESS DAYS
FROM THE DATE THAT YOU EXECUTE SAID CONTRACT. FOR ADDITIONAL RIGHT
OF CANCELLATION SEE THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.
Immediately following the above right of cancellation notice, the
instructions below shall be given in the same type as the print for the
contract text.
"Notice of cancellation shall be in writing subscribed by the purchas-
er OR HIS OR HER LEGALLY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE and hand delivered
or mailed BY CERTIFIED MAIL to the membership campground operator at the
address stated herein and postmarked not later than three business days
from the date of execution of said contract. Such notice shall be accom-
panied by the original or copies of the membership camping contract and
all supporting documentation."
S 3. Subdivision 2 of section 653 of the general business law is
amended by adding a new paragraph o to read as follows:
O. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT, IN BOLD LETTERS OF AT LEAST TEN POINT TYPE
WHERE IN CAPITAL LETTERS BELOW, WHICH ADVISES THE PURCHASER OF THE RIGHT
TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT UNDER SECTION SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR-A OF THIS
ARTICLE, SHALL BE CONTAINED IN THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT:
ADDITIONAL RIGHT OF CANCELLATION: AFTER THREE (3) BUSINESS DAYS FROM
THE DATE THAT YOU EXECUTE SAID CONTRACT YOU MAY CANCEL FOR ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING REASONS:
A. 11119--B 4
(1) A MATERIAL BREACH IN THE PROVISION OF THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND
PROGRAMS SET FORTH IN THE MEMBERSHIP CAMPING CONTRACT; OR
(2) YOU HAVE RELOCATED TO A PERMANENT RESIDENCE NOT LESS THAN FIVE
HUNDRED MILES FROM A CAMPGROUND OR OTHER FACILITY WHERE YOU CAN USE YOUR
MEMBERSHIP; OR
(3) YOU, YOUR SPOUSE, OR YOUR DOMESTIC PARTNER CURRENTLY RESIDES IN OR
ARE NOTIFIED OF AND ACCEPT THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENCE OCCUPANCY IN AN
ADULT CARE FACILITY OR A RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY; OR
(4) YOU, YOUR SPOUSE, OR YOUR DOMESTIC PARTNER ARE CERTIFIED BY A
PHYSICIAN AS PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO VISIT THE RESORT AND MATERIALLY USE
THE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AS OUTLINED IN THE CONTRACT; OR
(5) YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PERPETRATED BY ANOTHER
SIGNATORY OF THE SAME CONTRACT.
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ABOVE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION NOTICE, THE
INSTRUCTIONS BELOW SHALL BE GIVEN IN THE SAME TYPE AS THE PRINT FOR THE
CONTRACT TEXT.
"NOTICE OF CANCELLATION SHALL BE IN WRITING SUBSCRIBED BY THE PURCHAS-
ER OR HIS OR HER LEGALLY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE AND SENT BY CERTIFIED
MAIL TO THE MEMBERSHIP CAMPGROUND OPERATOR AT THE ADDRESS STATED HEREIN.
SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE ORIGINAL OR COPIES OF THE
MEMBERSHIP CAMPING CONTRACT AND ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. IF YOU ARE
EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL AFTER THREE BUSINESS DAYS, SUCH NOTIFI-
CATION SHALL ALSO INCLUDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT CERTIFIES THAT THE
REPRESENTATIONS ARE TRUE AND CORRECT, AND CONTAIN NO MATERIAL OMISSIONS
OF FACT TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF."
S 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.