Ideas

Back

Bob Duff
Senate Majority Leader | Norwalk, CT

Consumer Protection Legislation

Idea Category: 2025 Ideas Challenge, Improving Quality of Life

2025 Ideas Challenge Entry

Senate Bill 3 aims to address various consumer issues that were limiting Connecticut residents' access to privacy, transparency, and affordability.

Senate Bill 3 first tackles junk fees—undisclosed charges added to goods or services—by making it an unfair trade practice to (1) advertise or offer a price that omits mandatory fees (excluding government taxes) and (2) impose excessive or deceptive mandatory fees.
Second, the bill regulates internet-connected home appliances, TVs, and toys with cameras or microphones that could eavesdrop on consumers for targeted advertising. It requires these devices to provide an initial privacy notice to the consumer before activating the microphone, allowing the consumer to opt out of camera or microphone use. It also prohibits the sale or use of any recordings collected via voice recognition for advertising unless the consumer explicitly opts in.
Third, Senate Bill 3 creates a statutory right to repair by requiring electronic and appliance manufacturers to make available the documentation, parts and tools needed to maintain, modify, or repair these devices.
Fourth, this bill requires municipalities to use ".gov" domains instead of ".org" domains.
Fifth, this bill addresses price gouging by amending Connecticut's existing price gouging statute so that it applies to the entire supply chain, not just retailers, as it previously did.
Sixth, Senate Bill 3 makes it easier for Connecticut consumers to cancel subscription by requiring that businesses with automatic renewal or continuous service provisions to (1) send consumers an annual reminder with certain information; and (2) enable consumers to stop the renewal or services through a website, email, or telephone.
Finally, Senate Bill 3 addresses junk fees for long-term housing rentals by requiring a landlord advertising, displaying, or offering a dwelling unit for rent to include any fee, charge, or cost that the tenant is required to pay on a periodic basis, except for pet fees, processing fees, utility costs that are submetered, and fees charged for additional services like replacing a key.

Impact or how it will be measured:

Senate Bill 3 addresses key security and affordability concerns for Connecticut residents. Its junk fee provisions protect consumers from surprise charges, such as undisclosed fees revealed only at the end of an Airbnb booking. The bill also safeguards against eavesdropping devices; for example, microphones and cameras in electronics that monitor conversations for targeted ads—a practice publicly acknowledged by Cox Media Group—are now restricted unless consumers opt in.

The bill further supports affordability and sustainability through the right-to-repair, reducing costs, extending product life, and lowering electronic waste. Requiring municipalities to use “.gov” domains enhances cybersecurity, protecting against attacks like the 2022 Plainfield breach. Price-gouging provisions allow investigations across the supply chain, not just at retailers, addressing rising costs of goods since the pandemic. By balancing privacy, accountability, transparency, and affordability, the bill ensures residents are protected while fostering technological innovation.