S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1533
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
January 10, 2017
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Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the civil practice law and rules, in relation to claims
relating to consumer goods
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 501 of the civil practice law and rules, as amended
by chapter 532 of the laws of 1963, is amended to read as follows:
§ 501. Contractual provisions fixing venue. Subject to the provisions
of subdivision two of section [510] FIVE HUNDRED TEN AND SUBDIVISION
THREE OF SECTION FIVE HUNDRED FOURTEEN OF THIS ARTICLE, written agree-
ment fixing place of trial, made before an action is commenced, shall be
enforced upon a motion for change of place of trial.
§ 2. The civil practice law and rules is amended by adding a new
section 514 to read as follows:
§ 514. ACTIONS RELATING TO CONSUMER GOODS. 1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS
SECTION, "CONSUMER GOODS" SHALL MEAN GOODS, WARES, PAID MERCHANDISE OR
SERVICES PURCHASED OR PAID FOR BY A CONSUMER, THE INTENDED USE OR BENE-
FIT OF WHICH IS INTENDED FOR THE PERSONAL, FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD PURPOSES
OF SUCH CONSUMER.
2. IN ANY CONTRACT INVOLVING THE SALE, LEASE OR OTHERWISE PROVIDING OF
CONSUMER GOODS, ANY PORTION OF THE CONTRACT OR ANY CLAUSE WHICH PURPORTS
TO DESIGNATE, RESTRICT, OR LIMIT THE VENUE IN WHICH A CLAIM SHALL BE
ADJUDICATED OR ARBITRATED SHALL BE DEEMED VOID AS AGAINST PUBLIC POLICY.
NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO AFFECT THE VALIDITY OF ANY
OTHER ASPECT OF A CONTRACT.
3. IN ANY ACTION OR ARBITRATION INVOLVING THE SALE, LEASE OR OTHERWISE
PROVIDING OF CONSUMER GOODS, IN ADDITION TO THE VENUE PROVISIONS
CONTAINED WITHIN SECTION FIVE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE, THE PLACE
OF TRIAL OR ARBITRATION SHALL TAKE PLACE IN THE COUNTY WHERE THE CONSUM-
ER RESIDES.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
have become a law, and shall apply to all actions and arbitration
proceedings which have not been commenced prior to such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01277-01-7