Amendment SSA1-SB190

SB190-SSA1,3,10 b. If the contract does not provide for periodic payments, a portion of the amount due under the contract that is proportional to the portion of the renewed contract term that elapsed before the termination takes effect.

SB190-SSA1,3,15 11. A contract that permits a customer to terminate an automatically renewed or extended contract period by giving the seller notice of the customer's intention to terminate the contract period, if the contract does not require the customer to give notice to the seller more than one month before the date of the customer's intended termination.

SB190-SSA1,3,16 12. A contract to which a federal, state, or local government entity is a party.

SB190-SSA1,3,20 (b) "Customer" means a person who conducts business in this state and who is the lessee under a business contract that is entered into for the lease of business equipment or the purchaser under a business contract that is entered into for the purchase of business services.

SB190-SSA1,3,22 (c) "Seller" means the provider of a business service or the lessor of business equipment under a business contract.

SB190-SSA1,4,2 (2) Disclosure required. (a) Subject to par. (d), if a business contract provides that the contract will be automatically renewed or extended for an additional period unless the customer declines renewal or extension, and the duration of the additional period is more than one month, the seller shall do one of the following:

SB190-SSA1,4,5 1. At the time the customer enters into the contract, present to the customer a copy of a form including the disclosures required under par. (b) and obtain the customer's signature on the form.

SB190-SSA1,4,8 2. Include the disclosures required under par. (b) in the contract in a conspicuous manner and obtain the customer's initials on the contract on a page on which a disclosure appears.

SB190-SSA1,4,9 (b) A disclosure required under par. (a) shall contain all of the following:

SB190-SSA1,4,11 1. A statement that the contract will be renewed or extended unless the customer declines renewal or extension.

SB190-SSA1,4,13 2. A statement indicating the duration of the additional contract period that would result from an automatic renewal or extension period.

SB190-SSA1,4,15 3. A statement indicating whether an increase in charges to the customer will apply upon an automatic renewal or extension.

SB190-SSA1,4,17 4. A description of action the customer must take to decline renewal or extension.

SB190-SSA1,4,18 5. The date of the deadline for the customer to decline renewal or extension.

SB190-SSA1,4,21 (c) If a seller fails to comply with par. (a), an automatic renewal or extension provision in the contract is not enforceable, and the contract terminates at the end of the current contract term.

SB190-SSA1,4,23 (d) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a contract in effect on the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], or to subsequent renewals of such a contract.

SB190-SSA1,5,6 (3) Notice required. If a business contract that has an initial term of more than one year provides that the contract will be automatically renewed or extended for an additional term of more than one year, unless the customer declines renewal or extension, the provision is not enforceable against the customer and the contract will terminate at the end of the current contract term unless the seller provides to the customer, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the deadline for the customer to decline renewal or extension, a written notice containing all of the following:

SB190-SSA1,5,8 (a) A statement that the contract will be renewed or extended unless the customer declines renewal or extension.

SB190-SSA1,5,9 (b) The deadline for the customer to decline renewal or extension.

SB190-SSA1,5,11 (c) A description of any increase in charges to the customer that will apply after renewal or extension.

SB190-SSA1,5,13 (d) A description of action that the customer must take to decline extension or renewal.

SB190-SSA1,5,15 (4) Manner of giving notice. A seller or a person acting on behalf of the seller shall give the written notice required under sub. (3) by any of the following methods:

SB190-SSA1,5,18 (a) By mailing a copy of the notice by regular U.S. mail to the customer at the customer's last-known business address, unless the contract requires the customer to notify the seller by certified mail of the customer's intent to cancel.

SB190-SSA1,5,20 (b) By mailing a copy of the notice by registered or certified mail to the customer at the customer's last-known business address.

SB190-SSA1,5,22 (c) By giving a copy of the notice personally to an owner, officer, director, or managing agent of the customer's business.

SB190-SSA1,5,25 (d) By including the notice on the first page of a monthly invoice sent to the customer. Notice under this paragraph shall be prominently displayed in bold face type and in a type size no smaller than 12-point.

SB190-SSA1,6,3 (e) By sending a facsimile to the customer to the customer's last-known facsimile number, if the contract permits the customer to use this method to notify the seller that the customer declines renewal or extension of the contract.

SB190-SSA1,6,7 (f) By sending an electronic mail message to the customer at the customer's last-known electronic mail address, if the contract permits the customer to use this method to notify the seller that the customer declines renewal or extension of the contract.

SB190-SSA1,6,10 (g) By sending the notice via a recognized overnight courier service, if the contract permits the customer to use this method to notify the seller that the customer declines renewal or extension of the contract.

SB190-SSA1,6,16 (5) Unenforceable terms. No business contract between a seller and a customer may require that the customer permit the seller to match any offer the customer receives from or makes to another seller for services to be provided after the end of the stated term of the contract or renewal period of the contract. A provision in a business contract that violates this subsection is void and unenforceable.

SB190-SSA1,6,18 (6) Remedies. (a) Any of the following customers may bring an action or counterclaim for damages against a seller:

SB190-SSA1,6,22 1. A customer who has notified a seller that the customer declines renewal or extension of a business contract to which sub. (3) applies, if the seller has failed to give notice as required under subs. (3) and (4) and the seller has refused to terminate the contract as requested by the customer.

SB190-SSA1,6,24 2. A customer against whom a seller has attempted to enforce a provision in a business contract that is unenforceable under sub. (5).

SB190-SSA1,7,2 (b) A customer who prevails in an action or counterclaim under par. (a) is entitled to damages in either of the following amounts:

SB190-SSA1,7,4 1. An amount that equals twice the amount of the damages incurred by the customer.

SB190-SSA1,7,6 2. An amount that equals twice the amount of the periodic payment specified in the contract or $1,000, whichever is less.

SB190-SSA1,7,9 (c) Notwithstanding the limitations in s. 814.04 (1), the court shall award a customer who prevails in an action or counterclaim under this subsection costs, including reasonable attorney fees.

SB190-SSA1,7,11 (d) A seller is not liable in an action or counterclaim under this subsection if the court finds either of the following:

SB190-SSA1,7,12 1. All of the following:

SB190-SSA1,7,14 a. The seller has established and implemented written procedures for complying with this section.

SB190-SSA1,7,17 b. The seller's failure to comply with subs. (3) and (4), or the seller's attempt to enforce a provision that is void and unenforceable under sub. (5), was not willful or malicious.

SB190-SSA1,7,19 c. The seller has refunded any amounts paid by the customer after the date of the renewal or extension until the date on which the business contract is terminated.

SB190-SSA1,7,23 2. The customer requested, in writing, renewal or extension of the contract that is the basis for the customer's action or counterclaim against the seller, and the customer was aware of the terms under which the contract would be renewed or extended.

SB190-SSA1, s. 2 Section 2. Initial applicability.

SB190-SSA1,8,3 (1) This act first applies to contracts for the lease of business equipment or for providing business services that are entered into, modified, or renewed on the effective date of this subsection.

SB190-SSA1, s. 3 Section 3. Effective date.

SB190-SSA1,8,6 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 12th month beginning after publication.

SB190-SSA1,8,7 (End)