THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	827
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Section 481B-5.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.  By amending subsection (a) to read:

     "(a)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

     "Ancillary charges" includes all charges paid to the merchant that are necessary for the use of the goods for their purchased purpose and all sums paid for agreements for service, warranty, or replacement.

     "Conspicuous sign" means a sign posted in the merchant's place of business in a location reasonably calculated to bring the sign to the attention of purchasers before a purchaser makes a purchase.

     "Exchange" means a transaction between a merchant and a purchaser in which a previously purchased item is exchanged for another item.

     "Full amount of the payment" includes the amount paid for the returned goods, including any ancillary charges or taxes incident to the purchase of the returned goods, and without any deduction for restocking of the merchant's inventory, or for administration of the refund, exchange, or merchandise credit.

     "Merchandise credit" means the crediting to the purchaser of the full amount of the payment upon return of the goods and allowing the purchaser to purchase goods from the merchant with the merchandise credit, or applying to the purchaser's credit account with the merchant, in the amount of the merchandise credit.

     "Merchant" means any person engaged in the business of offering goods for sale to purchasers at retail.

     "Merchant in the State" means any merchant that:

     (1)  Is created under the laws of the State, including but not limited to chapter 414, 414D, 415A, 425, 425E, or 428;

     (2)  Is authorized to transact business in the State; or

     (3)  Possesses a current unexpired Hawaii general excise tax license.

     "Proof of purchase" means a sales slip, receipt, credit card slip, or any other documentation that substantiates the sale of the goods from the merchant and the amount of payment.

     "Purchaser" means a natural person who is returning goods that were purchased or received primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

     "Refund" means the return to the purchaser of the full amount of the payment upon return of the goods, in accordance with this section.

     "Repacking and transportation charges" means the charges for repacking, pick up, and transportation of goods previously delivered, unpacked, and set up by the merchant at the direction of the purchaser.

     "Return" or "return of goods" means the acceptance by the merchant of goods from a purchaser, whether for refund, merchandise credit, or exchange, and includes the cancellation of a custom or special order before the merchant is obligated to make payment on the order and the cancellation of a layaway."

     2.  By amending subsection (l) to read:

     "(l)  Any return policies adopted by the merchant pursuant to this section that limits the purchaser's ability to obtain a refund shall not apply if the goods were damaged or defective prior to the time of sale, unless the merchant was aware of the damage or defect and notified the purchaser of the damage or defect in writing prior to the time of sale.  No warranty policy adopted by a merchant in the State shall require a purchaser to pay an additional fee to obtain a repair, replacement, or refund for goods returned pursuant to the warranty."

     SECTION 2.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

Report Title:

Merchandise; Returns; Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices; Warranty Policy; Repair; Replacement; Refund

 

Description:

Prohibits a merchant in the State from adopting a warranty policy that requires a purchaser to pay an additional fee to obtain a repair, replacement, or refund for goods returned pursuant to the warranty.  Defines "merchant in the State".  (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.