An Act Regarding the Cancellation of Subscription Services
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0771
Committee Amendment CA_A_H143 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "~" to H.P. 576, L.D. 771, Bill, "An Act 
Regarding the Cancellation of Subscription Services" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec.1. 10 MRSA c. 205-B is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 205-B 
AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIPTION RENEW AL 
§1210-C. Cancellation of subscriptions 
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings. 
A. 
"Automatic subscription renewal" means an agreement to provide any of the 
following goods or services for a specified time and price that is automatically 
renewed at the end of a definite term for a subsequent term unless the consumer 
cancels the agreement: 
(1) Online magazines, journals and periodicals; 
(2) Online media players: 
(3) Mobile apps: 
(4) Social networking services; 
(5) Internet game services: and 
(6) Online software. 
B. 
"Extended automatic subscription renewal" means an automatic subscription 
renewal with a specified subscription te1m of 12 months or more, in which the 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
\1\. If !. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A, to H.P. 576, L.D. 771 
subscription automatically renews for a specified term of more than one month unless 
the consumer cancels the subscription. 
C. 
"Internet game service" means an online service that provides information, 
software, data, text, photographs, graphics, audio or video that may be accessed by a 
consumer on a paid subscription basis for the purpose of allowing that consumer to 
play a single-player or multiplayer game through the Internet or to download a game 
for that consumer to play offline. "Internet game service" does not include online 
gambling or other gaming in which a person participates to win money. 
D. "Mobile app" means a software application designed to be operated on a mobile 
device such as a smartphone. 
E. 
"Online media player" means an online service that delivers audio or video 
content. 
F. "Online software" means software provided by an online application. 
G. "Seller" means a person who sells, leases or offers to sell or lease automatic 
subscription renewals or extended automatic subscription renewals and does not 
include an entity providing only the host platform on the website of an Internet game 
service. 
H. "Social networking service" means an online service that facilitates the building 
of social relations and the sharing of information among specified groups of people. 
2. Method of cancellation of automatic subscription renewal. A seller may not 
make an automatic subscription renewal offer to a consumer in this State unless the seller 
presents that consumer with an easily accessible disclosure of the methods that the 
consumer may use to cancel the subscription. 
The seller must provide for online 
cancellation of the subscription by any means of communicating information over a 
computer network. If a phone number is also provided for the purposes of cancellation of 
the subscription, the number must be toll-free and must be prominently displayed in the 
disclosure. 
3. 
Extended automatic subscriptions. 
A seller may not make an extended 
automatic subscription renewal offer to a consumer in this State unless the seller notifies 
the consumer of the automatic renewal. Notice must be provided to the consumer no less 
than 30 days and no more than 60 days before the cancellation deadline pursuant to the 
automatic subscription renewal. The notice must be provided in the same manner as the 
manner used by the consumer to purchase the subscription. The notice must disclose 
clearly and conspicuously: 
A. That unless the consumer cancels the subscription it will automatically renew; 
and 
B. 
Where the consumer can obtain details regarding the automatic subscription 
renewal and cancellation procedure. 
4. Application. This chapter applies only to an agreement entered into or renewed 
after January 1, 2020 under which a seller makes an automatic subscription renewal or 
extended automatic subscription renewal offer to a consumer in this State. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
' "·. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"//" to H.P. 576, L.D. 771 
§1210-D. Violation 
1. Violations. A violation of this section is a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade 
Practices Act. 
2. 
Exceptions. An action may not be brought under the Maine Unfair Trade 
Practices Act if a seller violates this chapter as the result of an error and provides a full 
refund or credit for all amounts billed to or paid by the consumer from the date of the 
subscription renewal until the date of the termination of the subscription or the date of the 
subsequent notice ofrenewal, whichever occurs first.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment strikes and replaces the bill to reallocate the provisions of the bill to 
a different chapter of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10. This amendment also adds 
online software to the list of services falling under the bill's provisions and adds a 
definition for "online software," "extended automatic subscription renewal" and "seller." 
It adds a requirement that if a phone number is provided for the purposes of cancellation 
of the subscription, the phone number must be toll-free and must be prominently 
displayed in the disclosure. It adds a requirement for prior notice ofrenewal for extended 
automatic subscription renewals. 
It adds language exempting sellers from actions 
brought under the Unfair Trade Practices Act if the seller's failure to comply was the 
result of an error and the seller compensates the consumer. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/19/19 feac 
LD 771 
LR 1855(02) 
An Act Regarding the Cancellation of Subscription Services 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,A, ( /-/- /Y J) 
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new cases filed in the court system does not require 
additional funding at this time. 
The collection of additional filing fees and civil penalties may increase General Fund and other dedicated revenue by 
minor amounts. 
LR1855(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1