Bill > HB1996

This bill amends the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to expand protections against deceptive business practices by adding a new provision that prohibits making solicitations for goods or services using a document that looks like an invoice without clearly stating that it is not a request for payment. The bill also renumbers existing provisions and makes technical adjustments to cross-references. Specifically, the legislation adds a new subsection (xxii) to the definition of unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices, which broadly covers any fraudulent or deceptive conduct that could cause confusion or misunderstanding. The changes aim to prevent businesses from using misleading documents that might trick consumers into believing they owe money when they do not. The new provision will apply to solicitations occurring on or after the bill's effective date, which is 60 days after enactment. The bill maintains existing exemptions for media entities who publish advertisements in good faith without knowledge of their false or deceptive nature, ensuring that unintentional publication of misleading content does not automatically trigger legal penalties.

Business and Industry

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb1996