S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2027
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 15, 2015
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Introduced by M. of A. DINOWITZ, GOTTFRIED, GALEF, BRAUNSTEIN, MAGNAREL-
LI, ABINANTI, OTIS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judi-
ciary
AN ACT to amend the general obligations law, in relation to requiring
contractees to waive their rights relating to the making of certain
statements about contractors
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The general obligations law is amended by adding a new
section 5-336 to read as follows:
S 5-336. AGREEMENTS REQUIRING CONTRACTEES TO WAIVE THEIR RIGHTS IN
RELATION TO EXPRESSING CERTAIN OPINIONS ABOUT CONTRACTORS VOID AND UNEN-
FORCEABLE. 1. (A) A CONTRACT OR PROPOSED CONTRACT FOR THE SALE OR LEASE
OF CONSUMER GOODS OR SERVICES MAY NOT INCLUDE A PROVISION WAIVING THE
CONSUMER'S RIGHT TO MAKE ANY STATEMENT REGARDING THE SELLER OR LESSOR OR
ITS EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS, OR CONCERNING THE GOODS OR SERVICES.
(B) IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL TO THREATEN OR TO SEEK TO ENFORCE A PROVISION
MADE UNLAWFUL UNDER THIS SECTION, OR TO OTHERWISE PENALIZE A CONSUMER
FOR MAKING ANY STATEMENT PROTECTED UNDER THIS SECTION.
2. ANY WAIVER OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION IS CONTRARY TO PUBLIC
POLICY, AND IS VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE.
3. ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A CIVIL
PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST
VIOLATION, AND FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE SECOND AND FOR EACH SUBSE-
QUENT VIOLATION, TO BE ASSESSED AND COLLECTED IN A CIVIL ACTION BROUGHT
BY THE CONSUMER, BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OR BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR
CITY ATTORNEY OF THE COUNTY OR CITY IN WHICH THE VIOLATION OCCURRED.
WHEN COLLECTED, THE CIVIL PENALTY SHALL BE PAYABLE, AS APPROPRIATE, TO
THE CONSUMER OR TO THE GENERAL FUND OF WHICHEVER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY
BROUGHT THE ACTION TO ASSESS THE CIVIL PENALTY.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04985-01-5
A. 2027 2
4. IN ADDITION, FOR A WILLFUL, INTENTIONAL, OR RECKLESS VIOLATION OF
THIS SECTION, A CONSUMER OR PUBLIC PROSECUTOR MAY RECOVER A CIVIL PENAL-
TY NOT TO EXCEED TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.
5. THE PENALTY PROVIDED BY THIS SECTION IS NOT AN EXCLUSIVE REMEDY,
AND DOES NOT AFFECT ANY OTHER RELIEF OR REMEDY PROVIDED BY LAW. THIS
SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT OR LIMIT A PERSON OR BUSINESS
THAT HOSTS ONLINE CONSUMER REVIEWS OR COMMENTS FROM REMOVING A STATEMENT
THAT IS OTHERWISE LAWFUL TO REMOVE.
S 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.