Bill > H1593

This bill, concerning contracts for consumer goods or services, prohibits "non-disparagement clauses," which are provisions in contracts that prevent consumers from making negative statements about a seller, lessor, their employees, or the goods or services themselves. It makes it illegal to include such clauses, threaten to enforce them, or penalize consumers for making protected statements, deeming any attempt to waive these rights void and unenforceable as it goes against public policy. Violators face civil penalties, with a first offense costing up to $2,500 and subsequent offenses up to $5,000, and even higher penalties of up to $10,000 for willful, intentional, or reckless violations, with these penalties recoverable by the consumer or the government. This bill clarifies that these penalties are in addition to other legal remedies and does not prevent platforms hosting online reviews from removing content that is otherwise lawful to remove.