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Bill

S 310

An act relating to subscription renewal notifications

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Beck and 15 co-sponsors

Requires explicit opt-in and 30–60 day advance notices for long-term auto-renewals, plus clear termination channels and an annual termination-right notice.

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 310

Summary: S.310 (2025-2026) – An act relating to subscription renewal notifications (Vermont)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes consumer protection requirements for indefinite auto-renewal subscriptions.
  • Requires annual notification to consumers of their right to terminate certain subscriptions.
  • Aims to ensure clearer disclosure and easier opt-out for subscriptions renewing beyond one month.

Key provisions and changes

Automatic renewal standards (9 V.S.A. § 2454a, as amended)

  • For contracts between a consumer and a seller/lessor with an initial term of one year or longer that renew for a subsequent term longer than one month:
    • Renewal shall not occur automatically unless:
    • The contract clearly and conspicuously states the automatic renewal terms in plain, unambiguous language in bold-face type.
    • The consumer affirmatively opt-in to the automatic renewal (explicit action to accept the renewal provision).
    • If the consumer opts in, the seller/lessor must provide written or electronic notice to the consumer that includes:
      • Timing: not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the earliest of the renewal date, termination date, or the date by which cancellation must be provided.
      • Content: the date the contract will terminate and a clear statement that it will renew automatically unless canceled on or before the termination date; the length and any additional terms of the renewal period.
  • These requirements apply to the activation of ongoing auto-renewals for substantial-term contracts, ensuring consumers are informed well in advance.

Consumer termination access and methods

  • Sellers/lessors must provide:
    • A toll-free phone number, a valid email address, and a postal address (if the seller directly bills the consumer), or another cost-effective, timely, and easy-to-use cancellation mechanism.
    • If the consumer accepted the contract online, the seller must allow termination online (which can include an email-based termination option provided by the seller that the consumer can send without extra information).

Compliance and enforcement

  • Violations constitute an unfair and deceptive act in commerce under Vermont’s consumer protection laws (8 V.S.A. § 2453).

Exclusions

  • The act does not apply to:
    • Contracts with financial institutions (as defined by 8 V.S.A. § 11101) or with credit unions (8 V.S.A. § 30101).
    • Insurance contracts (8 V.S.A. § 3301a).

Annual renewal notice requirement (new subsection)

  • For contracts with an initial term of one month or longer that renew indefinitely without termination by the consumer, the seller/lessor must provide an annual notice of the right to terminate.
  • This annual notice must comply with the same notice provisions in subsection (b).

Affected parties

  • Consumers entering into long-term auto-renewal agreements (initial term ≥ 1 year, or indefinite renewals).
  • Sellers and lessors offering such subscription contracts.
  • Financial institutions, credit unions, and insurance contracts are specifically exempt.

Effective date and timeline

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.

Practical implications

  • Consumers gain clearer disclosures about auto-renewal terms and a guaranteed opportunity to cancel with advance notice.
  • Businesses must implement robust opt-in procedures, maintain accessible cancellation channels, and provide timely renewal/cancellation notices.
  • The bill strengthens Vermont’s consumer protection framework for subscription-based services and may reduce “silent renewals” or inadvertent renewals.

Notable details

  • Renewal notices must be provided 30–60 days before the earliest of renewal date, termination date, or cancellation deadline.
  • Renewal notices must include the renewal date, explicit statement of auto-renewal unless canceled, and renewal period length/terms.
  • Online termination must be available if the contract was accepted online.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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