New 'Click To Cancel' Subscriptions Bill Introduced In PA

HARRISBURG, PA — A Democratic state legislator from Montgomery County is introducing legislation that would require online service providers to offer consumer notification prior to an automatic subscription renewal.

State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146, introduced this week H.B. 2511, also known as 'Click to Cancel' legislation, which is aimed at improving Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act.

Ciresi says that services providers should be transparent about subscription renewal terms and allow consumers to cancel services exclusively online if they initially subscribed to a service through the Internet.

"I firmly believe that subscriptions should be transparent and easy to understand, and that consumers should be able to cancel them as easily as they can begin a subscription," Ciresi said in a statement.

Ciresi said that many consumers today find that their online subscriptions automatically renew without them being notified or even aware, and that service providers often make consumers "jump through hoops just to cancel their subscription, such as by forcing them to call or speak to an online representative before they can end the service."

"When it [the legislation] is passed, consumers in Pennsylvania will be better protected from companies' subscription practices that have burdened them with fees for subscriptions they no longer want or aware of," Ciresi stated. "It is time we provided greater transparency to consumers regarding their subscription services and empower them to cancel subscriptions they no longer want with limited hassle."

Ciresi said the measure has bipartisan support. It has been referred to the state House Consumer Affairs Committee where it awaits action.