Prohibits contracts for the purchase or financing of a dog or cat from online websites from including provisions allowing repossession of the animal.
Impact
If enacted, A01672 would significantly impact how pet sales and financing programs operate in New York. It will disallow terms in contracts that would allow for the repossession of pets in cases of non-payment, effectively reinforcing the view that pets should not be subject to the same repossession laws applicable to personal property. This change aligns with a broader trend toward enhancing animal rights and welfare standards across the state.
Summary
The bill A01672 proposes to amend the general business law of New York, specifically by prohibiting certain contracts for the purchase or financing of dogs and cats from including provisions that permit the repossession of these animals. It aims to protect the interests of pet owners by ensuring that pets cannot be treated as mere collateral in financial agreements. The legislation highlights a growing recognition of animals as sentient beings deserving of better protection within commercial transactions.
Conclusion
The introduction of A01672 reflects an important legislative push towards the humane treatment of animals in commercial contexts. It embodies a shifting landscape in consumer protection laws, envisioning a future where the commodification of animals through financing contracts is scrutinized and limited. The bill stands as a testament to evolving societal values that prioritize the welfare of pets over traditional business practices.
Contention
While the bill has received favorable votes from the Assembly Codes Committee, it may face some contention regarding the implications for sellers and lenders who deal with pet sales. Stakeholders in the pet industry might express concerns that restricting repossession clauses could limit their ability to recoup losses if a buyer fails to meet payment obligations. Moreover, some may argue this could lead to increased costs for consumers, as businesses may raise prices to accommodate the higher risk of default.
Same As
Prohibits contracts for the purchase or financing of a dog or cat from online websites from including provisions allowing repossession of the animal.
Prohibits contracts for the purchase or financing of a dog, cat, or rabbit from including provisions allowing repossession of the animal; provides that such provisions apply to the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits through an online website.
Nullifies agreements which prohibits a dealer, who either directly or through an affiliate owns a service station including the tanks and pumps or where a dealer provides environmental pollution insurance coverage for the tanks and pumps of not less than one million dollars in the aggregate and who dedicates a tank for sale of unbranded motor fuel, or any provision of a franchise with a refiner which prohibits a distributor from purchasing or selling unbranded motor fuel from a person or firm other than the refiner or limits the quantity of such unbranded motor fuel to be purchased from another person or firm or any provision of a franchise which directly or indirectly discourages a dealer or distributor from purchasing or selling such unbranded motor fuels from another person or firm.
Prohibits health insurers from requiring that the insured purchase prescribed drugs from a mail order pharmacy or pay a co-payment fee when such purchases are not made from a mail order pharmacy if a similar fee is not charged for drugs from a mail order pharmacy.
Prohibits third-party food delivery services from charging a food service establishment a delivery fee or other fees that total more than a certain percent of the total purchase price of an online order.
Prohibits third-party food delivery services from charging a food service establishment a delivery fee that totals more than a certain percent of the total purchase price of an online order.
Prohibits the city school district from reimbursing charter schools for leasing a privately owned or other publicly owned facility, and prohibits charter school employee contracts from including a non-disclosure agreement.