[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) applauded the Senate’s bipartisan passage of the CHIPS plus legislation today with several provisions he championed to help address sexual harassment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and to support researchers from historically underrepresented populations early in their career:
“This momentous measure is the most impactful technology step in recent history for high-tech job creation and economic growth in our state and others. It will spur innovation, fight inflation, and increase high-tech manufacturing and jobs—in Connecticut and around the country. At my urging, it includes provisions to fight sexual harassment in STEM fields and to support young scientists whose careers have been impacted by the pandemic. This legislation will make it easier for women and other underrepresented groups to thrive by tackling the deep inequities that exist in STEM fields. I urge the House to swiftly advance this bill to support the next generation of talented scientists and to invest in American invention and progress.”
· Curbing Sexual Harassment in STEM Fields: The CHIPS plus legislation includes language Blumenthal introduced and fought for to improve the understanding of factors contributing to sexual harassment in STEM fields, examine impacts of harassment on individuals, and develop policy guidelines to mitigate this harassment. A landmark 2018 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that sexual harassment is wide-spread in higher education institutions and contributes to loss of talented, highly-trained individuals in STEM.
Among the provisions fought for by Blumenthal, the legislation would award grants through the National Science Foundation (NSF) to deepen understanding of the factors contributing to and consequences of sexual and sex-based harassment across institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations and to examine approaches to reduce their frequency and impact. It would also direct NSF to enter into an agreement with the National Academies to update the National Academies’ research conduct report to include updated standards and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a working group to develop a set of policy guidelines for federal research agencies.
· Supporting Early-Career and Underrepresented Researchers: At Blumenthal’s urging, the CHIPS plus legislation includes language to support early-career researchers whose employment opportunities have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including those at minority-serving institutions and women and minorities underrepresented in STEM fields. The provisions would create a new two-year pilot program for postdoctoral fellows at the National Science Foundation to prevent the loss of research talent due to job market disruptions caused by the economic decline like the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes language that makes available mentoring and professional development support for post-doctoral researchers.
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong released the following statement regarding a $4.25 billion agreement framework with Teva Pharmaceuticals and states regarding the generic drug manufacturer’s role in the opioid epidemic. Specific details of the settlement are still being finalized. Precise state allocations have yet to be disclosed, although the agreement would follow the same basic allocation structure as previous opioid settlements, including the landmark $26 billion agreement with opioid distributors and Johnson & Johnson.
“This $4.25 billion agreement with Teva is a significant breakthrough in our fight to hold the entire addiction industry accountable for the devastation of the opioid epidemic. While we are still negotiating final details with Teva over precise terms, this agreement would provide yet another infusion of critical resources to combat the opioid crisis here in Connecticut,” said Attorney General Tong.
Today’s announcement has no impact on the ongoing multistate price-fixing case Connecticut is leading against Teva.
Legislation would help address gun violence epidemic by tackling proliferation of automatic gun conversion devices and seizing profits from illegal trafficking
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined eight of their Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to combat the increased use and proliferation of dangerous gun conversion devices. The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act would help tackle the ongoing gun violence epidemic by requiring federal law enforcement to coordinate efforts to prevent the importation and trafficking of “auto-sears” — and other illegal gun modification devices that can convert semi-automatic weapons into fully-automatic weapons — and seize all profits that come from the illegal trafficking of these devices.
“Gun conversion devices like auto-sears take a deadly weapon and make it even deadlier. After a quick and cheap installation, you transform a semi-automatic weapon into one that sprays bullets like a machine gun. This bill would crack down on the illegal trafficking of these devices and stop their proliferation,” said Murphy.
“This measure will crack down on dangerous firearm modification devices that threaten public safety,” said Blumenthal. “Access to cheap, easy to use conversion tools allows common firearms to be turned into fully-automatic weapons of war. Our legislation will prevent trafficking and seize the profits of wrongdoers intent on causing harm – key efforts needed to address our nation’s gun violence epidemic.”
The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2022 would:
Direct the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of the Treasury to develop a coordinated national strategy to prevent or intercept the importation and trafficking of automatic gun conversion devices;
Ensure that proceeds from the illegal trafficking of automatic gun devices are subject to forfeiture; and
Require that the Attorney General include data and information about illegal gun modification devices in the Justice Department’s annual firearms trafficking report.
Auto-sears and other gun conversion devices can be installed in about a minute, and 3-D printed or purchased online for less than $20. An investigation by The Trace and VICE News this March found that federal prosecutions involving gun conversion devices have increased over eight-fold from 2017-2021. Additionally the investigation reported that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) seized 1,500 weapons modified with auto sears in 2021, a five-fold increase from the year before .
“These updates to Connecticut’s criminal justice statutes make juvenile arrest and delinquency proceedings swifter with more information for courts to review, provide more intensive responses to the small number of juveniles with serious and repeated charges, and restructure motor vehicle theft laws to focus on people with prior offenses,” Governor Lamont said. “This bipartisan legislation shows the good that comes when policymakers on both sides of the aisle seek common ground to develop solutions together. Connecticut is a safe state, and keeping it safe requires continuous policy improvements and investments in needed areas.”
At the start of the legislative session, Governor Lamont introduced legislation (Senate Bill 16) containing several provisions that were later incorporated into this public act as state lawmakers hammered out bipartisan agreement. Several provisions included in Public Act 22-115 are:
Makes juvenile arrest and delinquency proceedings swifter and more effective
Requires youth who are arrested but not detained to be brought before the court within five business days.
Increases from six to eight hours the amount of time a youth can be held if police are awaiting a judicial ruling on a detention order or are trying to locate a parent or guardian.
Grants municipal police officers investigating a juvenile access to electronic records containing statewide pending charges and 90 days of prior arrest records.
Allows courts to formally order that a youth be assessed for services.
Provides more intensive responses to the small number of juveniles with serious, repeated charges
Expands the special juvenile probation docket to include homicide and firearm crimes.
Allows courts to order GPS monitoring for a youth charged with a second or subsequent motor vehicle offense.
Focuses motor vehicle theft penalties on people with prior offenses
Establishes a new structure for motor vehicle thefts with penalties that grow more serious for subsequent offenses rather than basing penalties on the value of the vehicle.
In addition to this legislation, the budget adjustment bill that Governor Lamont signed into law this spring (Public Act 22-118) makes several significant investments, using American Rescue Plan Act authorizations and state appropriations, to increase public safety, including:
$11.4 million for law enforcement-led strategies and partnerships to trace recovered firearms to their source, reduce stolen cars and violence, expand support for communities experiencing increases in violent crime, and promote safety on rural roads;
$7.5 million for community- and public- health-led strategies to prevent and reduce gun violence;
$4.1 million for upgrades to forensic science technology to speed up and improve the investigation and clearing of criminal cases; and
$3.3 million to provide at-risk juveniles with access to services and diversion programs.
HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed into law Public Act 22-115, which updates Connecticut’s criminal justice statutes to enable law enforcement and the courts to provide swifter, more effective responses to youth charged with repeated motor vehicle theft and other crimes. Combined with increased investments in the recently approved state budget, the improved responses implemented under the law will help connect youth with services and treatment to reduce recidivism.
“These updates to Connecticut’s criminal justice statutes make juvenile arrest and delinquency proceedings swifter with more information for courts to review, provide more intensive responses to the small number of juveniles with serious and repeated charges, and restructure motor vehicle theft laws to focus on people with prior offenses,” Governor Lamont said. “This bipartisan legislation shows the good that comes when policymakers on both sides of the aisle seek common ground to develop solutions together. Connecticut is a safe state, and keeping it safe requires continuous policy improvements and investments in needed areas.”
At the start of the legislative session, Governor Lamont introduced legislation (Senate Bill 16) containing several provisions that were later incorporated into this public act as state lawmakers hammered out bipartisan agreement. Several provisions included in Public Act 22-115 are:
Makes juvenile arrest and delinquency proceedings swifter and more effective
Requires youth who are arrested but not detained to be brought before the court within five business days.
Increases from six to eight hours the amount of time a youth can be held if police are awaiting a judicial ruling on a detention order or are trying to locate a parent or guardian.
Grants municipal police officers investigating a juvenile access to electronic records containing statewide pending charges and 90 days of prior arrest records.
Allows courts to formally order that a youth be assessed for services.
Provides more intensive responses to the small number of juveniles with serious, repeated charges
Expands the special juvenile probation docket to include homicide and firearm crimes.
Allows courts to order GPS monitoring for a youth charged with a second or subsequent motor vehicle offense.
Focuses motor vehicle theft penalties on people with prior offenses
Establishes a new structure for motor vehicle thefts with penalties that grow more serious for subsequent offenses rather than basing penalties on the value of the vehicle.
In addition to this legislation, the budget adjustment bill that Governor Lamont signed into law this spring (Public Act 22-118) makes several significant investments, using American Rescue Plan Act authorizations and state appropriations, to increase public safety, including:
$11.4 million for law enforcement-led strategies and partnerships to trace recovered firearms to their source, reduce stolen cars and violence, expand support for communities experiencing increases in violent crime, and promote safety on rural roads;
$7.5 million for community- and public- health-led strategies to prevent and reduce gun violence;
$4.1 million for upgrades to forensic science technology to speed up and improve the investigation and clearing of criminal cases; and
$3.3 million to provide at-risk juveniles with access to services and diversion programs.
Harris Jewelry Required to Provide Refunds, Stop Collecting Debt, and Correct Bad Credit Scores for More Than 46,000 Servicemembers and Veterans Nationwide
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today announced a $34.2 million settlement between 18 states, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Harris Jewelry that will provide refunds and relief to 46,000 servicemembers and veterans deceived and defrauded by the national jewelry retailer.
The jewelry company used false promises of charity and deceptive marketing ploys to lure active-duty servicemembers to their financing program, falsely claiming that investing in this program would improve servicemembers’ credit scores. Instead, service members were tricked into obtaining high-interest loans on overpriced, poor-quality jewelry that saddled them with thousands of dollars of debt and worsened their credit. The agreement requires Harris Jewelry to refund tens of thousands of servicemembers for warranties they were tricked into purchasing, to stop collecting millions of dollars of debt, to correct bad credit scores, and dissolves all of Harris Jewelry’s businesses. This agreement also requires Harris Jewelry to pay $1 million to all 18 states.
Over 100 Connecticut service members and veterans will receive $128,964.50 in refunds and debt relief, and the State of Connecticut will collect a $50,000 penalty.
“Harris Jewelry preyed on active-duty servicemembers, luring them into bad loans and warranties for overpriced cheap jewelry. Harris Jewelry lied about charitable donations, lied about credit scores, lied about their low-quality products, and scammed American heroes out of millions of dollars. Our agreement forces them out of business and requires direct refunds and debt relief to tens of thousands of service members. We have begun reaching out to 100 servicemembers and veterans in Connecticut who we know were victims of this egregious scam and are entitled to relief. There may be more. If you were a Harris Jewelry customer, contact our office immediately,” said Attorney General Tong.
“As a veteran and member of the Army Reserve, I have heard from many victims scammed out of funds, trapped in a cycle of debt because of scams like that perpetrated by Harris Jewelry. My thanks to Attorney General Tong and his staff and to the multistate team co-led by New York and the FTC for their work to recover millions of dollars for members of our military and bring an end to Harris Jewelry and its victimization of our nation’s heroes, the protectors of our freedom and democracy. Harris Jewelry targeted these heroes who volunteer to serve and sacrifice for our nation by scamming them out of hard-earned dollars and ruining their credit. Harris Jewelry’s scam was even more despicable as it was veiled with a patriotic pitch and falsely claimed to support veteran charities all with the goal of effectively stealing service members’ money. This Consent Order sends a strong message that state Attorneys General and the FTC will not tolerate such illegal predatory behavior,” said Connecticut Veterans Affairs Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi.
Connecticut consumers who believe they may have been a victim of this Harris fraud should file a consumer complaint online (https://www.dir.ct.gov/ag/complaint/) and provide the Harris store address and/or town where the store was located, the time frame of purchase, and consumer address at the time of purchase. The Office of the Attorney General will assist consumers in navigating the claims process.
Harris Jewelry, headquartered in Hauppauge, New York, operated retail stores near and on military bases around the country. Their business model was designed to primarily target and service people in the military. A multi-state investigation found that local servicemembers were enticed into retail stores through a marketing scheme, dubbed “Operation Teddy Bear,” in which Harris Jewelry advertised teddy bears in military uniforms with promises of charitable donations. The multistate investigation found- that no legal contract was ever signed between Harris Jewelry and the charity it claimed to support. Moreover, consumers were given varying and conflicting information about the amount donated to the charity. Sometimes they were told all the proceeds would be donated, other times they were told only a portion would be donated.
In addition, Harris Jewelry offered servicemembers predatory lending contracts marketed to servicemembers as a way to build or improve their credit scores. The credit advanced to servicemembers through the Harris Program was not based on a consumer’s credit score, potential income, or other legitimate factors that banks consider. Rather, it was based on a servicemember’s branch of service, the amount of time they have remaining on the term of enlistment, and the category of merchandise they purchased. Servicemembers were led to believe that they were investing in the Harris Program and the jewelry they purchased was a gift from Harris Jewelry.
The jewelry itself was significantly overpriced and of poor quality. The multistate investigation found that the company dramatically inflated the retail price of its products, generally by multiplying its wholesale cost by six or seven times, and in some cases ten times the wholesale cost. For example, Harris Jewelry purchased its popular Mother’s Medal of Honor at $77.70 but sold it at $799. The jewelry was not worth the price and consumers often reported stones falling out, chains breaking, and the finish fading.
Harris offered servicemembers protection plans on the jewelry, which they claimed was optional but was added to nearly all eligible transactions without their awareness. The costs of the protection plans ranged from $39.99 to $349.99, depending on the retail price of the item. In some instances, the cost of the protection plan exceeded the wholesale cost Harris paid for the item. Protection plans were added to a consumer’s retail installment contract as a routine practice without disclosure to the consumer.
With the inflated purchase price, protection plans, taxes, shipping and handling fees, teddy bears, and other fees, service members were charged more than they were initially told. Using the $799 Mother’s Medal of Honor as an example, service members were charged $79.99 for a protection plan, taxes, and other fees, bringing the total principal cost to $974.31. At a 14.99 percent interest rate over a 10-month period, the total amount paid by a servicemember ended up being $1,039.26 for the Mother’s Medal of Honor.
Harris Jewelry used charity pleas as a marketing tactic to dupe servicemembers into high-priced, deceptive in-house financing contracts for vastly overpriced jewelry. The jewelry was of poor quality, the prices were highly inflated, finance contracts had hidden fees, and the payments were directly tied to the military paydays.
According to today’s consent order, Harris Jewelry violated the FTC Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Military Lending Act, the Holder Rule; and state laws in connection with jewelry sales and financing to members of the military.
Specifically, attorneys general and FTC allege that Harris Jewelry:
• Made false or unsubstantiated claims that financing jewelry purchases through the company would result in higher credit scores: The company told servicemembers that they would achieve a significant improvement in their credit score by entering into a retail installment contract with Harris Jewelry when, in fact, that was not true in many instances.
• Misrepresented that the protection plan was required to finance purchases: In connection with the sale of jewelry and military-themed gifts, Harris Jewelry offered a protection plan that covered ring and watch sizing, battery replacements, and repairs. In several instances, the company gave the false impression that the protection plan was not optional or was required to finance the purchase when it was in fact optional.
• Failed to provide written disclosures and meet authorization requirements for contracts as required by law: Harris Jewelry failed to include written disclosures in its retail installment contracts as required by the Truth in Lending Act and Military Lending Act and meet authorization requirements as required by the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Its internet and print ads also failed to include the required Truth in Lending disclosure. The company also failed to provide written notice as required by the FTC’s Holder Rule in its contracts and failed to make oral disclosures at the time of sale as required by the Military Lending Act.
Today’s agreement requires Harris Jewelry to stop collecting $21,307,229 in outstanding debt that is held by 13,426 service members and to provide $12,872,493 in refunds to 46,204 servicemembers who paid for protection plans. Harris Jewelry is also required to vacate judgments against 112 consumers totaling $115,335.64 and delete any negative credit entries reported to consumer reporting agencies.
Servicemembers and veterans who entered into a predatory financing loan with Harris Jewelry between January 2014 and July 2022 will be eligible for restitution to the extent they paid for warranties. An independent monitor will be installed to oversee the relief and contact eligible servicemembers and veterans. Eligible service members and veterans will receive an email and letter in the mail at the last known address according to company records notifying them of this agreement and their eligibility, servicemembers will then have to claim their restitution.
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today announced a $1.8 million settlement with Eversource over alleged false and deceptive high-pressure tactics seeking to entice consumers to convert to natural gas.
“Eversource misled homeowners to get them to switch to natural gas. These high-pressure tactics are unacceptable coming from any business, much less a regulated utility. Eversource has already paid a $1.8 million civil penalty imposed by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), and now they will pay an additional $1.8 million to settle these serious consumer protection allegations,” said Attorney General Tong.
Attorney General Tong opened an investigation following a report by Hartford Courant columnist Kevin Rennie exposing notices from Eversource claiming homeowners would be unable to connect to natural gas once their road had been resurfaced due to a “paving moratorium.” The notices claimed, “Once your road has been resurfaced, it will be several years before the pavement can be opened again due to the town’s paving moratorium. We will not be able to provide a gas service line to your home during the moratorium. If your current heating equipment fails, or if you decide to install natural gas for any other reason after this deadline, you will not be able to connect to natural gas.”
Attorney General Tong and the Office of Consumer Counsel filed a petition with PURA seeking an investigation there, resulting in PURA imposing a $1.8 million civil penalty in 2021 for Eversource’s alleged failure to disclose whether certain gas expansion solicitations were funded by shareholders, ratepayers, or both. The Office of the Attorney General conducted its own investigation into whether Eversource’s claims were false and misleading, identifying multiple towns where no-such paving moratoria existed.
Today’s settlement addresses alleged violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act regarding unfair and deceptive marketing practices not previously covered by PURA’s penalty. Through today’s $1.8 million settlement, Eversource must pay $1.6 million to Operation Fuel to assist low-income ratepayers and $200,000 to the Attorney General for consumer education and enforcement purposes. Between PURA’s prior penalty and today’s additional $1.8 million settlement, Eversource must now pay a total of $3.6 million regarding these solicitations.
WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on President Biden’s Executive Order on climate to address extreme heat and boost offshore wind:
“More than 100 million people in 28 states are facing heat advisories and dangerously high, record-breaking temperatures this week. Energy infrastructure is straining to keep residents cool and wildfires are raging across 12 states. The climate crisis is here, and it’s only going to get worse if we don’t take bold action. I’m glad to see President Biden take steps to invest in offshore wind, protect communities already facing severe weather and other consequences of climate change, and help them respond when natural disasters inevitably strike. But in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to gut the EPA of its regulatory power, now more than ever, it’s on Congress to legislate solutions to this crisis,” said Murphy.
Department of Consumer Protection May Fine Up to $1,000 Per Day Against Manufacturers Who Fail to Comply with Lemon Law Arbitration Decisions
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong announced today that Jaguar Land Rover of North America will pay $26,500 for the company’s failure to comply with Connecticut’s Lemon Law.
Connecticut’s Automobile Warranty statute, commonly called the Lemon Law, helps owners of defective vehicles under 2 years old or with fewer than 24,000 miles. The statute provides a low-cost arbitration process to resolve disputes between vehicle owners and manufacturers.
In this case, a Connecticut consumer purchased a Range Rover Velar S. from Jaguar Land Rover. The vehicle suffered from a coolant pump failure, as well as a faulty infotainment touch screen, which blacked out at times and caused the running lights and rear camera to malfunction. The consumer filed a Lemon Law complaint, and the arbitrator found he was entitled to a full refund within 30 days of the decision, no later than January 26. Jaguar Land Rover did not comply until March 1, despite multiple notices and warnings.
Connecticut amended its Lemon Law statute in 2021 to allow the Department of Consumer Protection to levy a fine of up to $1,000 per day against manufacturers who fail to comply with an arbitrator’s decision within the specified deadline. This lawsuit was the first to be filed under that new statute.
“Jaguar Land Rover sold this consumer a lemon, riddled with multiple failures from the start. Connecticut’s Lemon Law helps vehicle owners resolve disputes over these kinds of defective car purchases with no lawyer needed. This consumer filed a complaint and Jaguar Land Rover was ordered to provide a full refund. Jaguar dragged its feet. When a Lemon Law arbitration award is issued, those deadlines are the law, and we will not hesitate to protect consumers against manufacturers who ignore their obligations,” said Attorney General Tong.
“DCP repeatedly notified Jaguar of their duty to comply with the state’s Lemon Law program by providing the consumer with a refund by the date specified by the arbitrator.” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “When a manufacturer fails to comply with deadlines set by the arbitrator, consumers are harmed by not receiving the benefit of their award, which often means making additional lease or loan payments during the delay. This lawsuit should send a strong message that there will be consequences for a car manufacturer that does not timely comply with a Lemon Law arbitration award.”
June 4 marked the 40th anniversary of Connecticut’s Lemon Law program, which was the first of its kind in the United States. Since then, the Lemon Law program has returned almost $70 million in refunds and replacement vehicles to Connecticut consumers. In the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the Lemon Law program closed 59 cases, and returned almost $2 million to consumers in refunds or returns. In 2021, 77 consumers applied to the Lemon Law program for assistance.
For more information on Connecticut’s Lemon Law and to file a complaint visit ct.gov/dcp/lemon. Consumers who need assistance can also email DCP.LemonLaw@ct.gov or call (860) 713-6120 or the toll-free line (800) 538-CARS (2277).
This press release was made possible by the 2022 Center of Excellence:
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong urged consumers to be wary of potentially deceptive door hangers asking residents to provide water samples for testing. These door hangers are not affiliated with any government public health authority or any official water quality warning or advisory.
The Office of the Attorney General has received complaints regarding plastic bags left on consumers’ front doorknobs (known as “door hangers”) at homes in Colchester, Farmington and Hartford. The door hangers contain a survey card with the heading “Connecticut Safe Water” and a telephone number, together with a plastic vial. The card requests consumers to complete a survey and fill the vial with a sample of their home’s tap water for testing. The door hangers do not identify the nature of the solicitor’s business and have caused confusion among consumers. The Office of the Attorney General has written to the company responsible for leaving the door hangers to request further information to address concerns that the solicitations may be deceptive.
“Door hanger solicitations may be lawful, but it’s never okay to deceive or confuse consumers. These door hangers are not affiliated with any government agency, and there is absolutely no requirement to provide a water sample. If you have been misled or harmed by these hangers, I want to know,” said Attorney General Tong.
This issue was brought to the attention of the Office of the Attorney General by the AARP. “AARP CT Fraud Watch Network Volunteers received suspicious solicitations at their homes and reported it up the chain to the AARP state office. Our work with the Coalition for Elder Justice in CT (CEJC) allowed for effective reporting to the Office of the Attorney General and the CT Department of Consumer Protection, resulting in quick action by both agencies. This action helps to prevent misleading advertising and consumers needlessly sharing personal data with potentially deceptive companies. This kind of collaboration is what makes our work in Connecticut successful and proves that if you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam,” said Nora Duncan, AARP CT State Director.
“Businesses should be clear about the services they provide and whether their goal is ultimately to sell you a product,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle Seagull. “Consumers should be cautious of door-to-door solicitations, and always do their own independent research before providing information or purchasing a product based on door-to-door solicitations.”
Are door hangers legal in CT?
While there are laws that regulate solicitors who sell consumer goods and services door-to-door, there is no law prohibiting solicitors from leaving door hangers. This is true even though the presence of door hangers on a doorknob for a long period of time may signal that the consumer is out of town. Most municipalities in Connecticut require door-to-door solicitors to obtain a permit before engaging in door-to-door sales.
Door-to-door solicitors in Connecticut are required to comply with the Home Solicitation Sales Act (the “Act”), which applies to transactions involving consumer goods and services that occur anywhere other than the seller’s own place of business. The Act gives consumers the right to cancel a home solicitation sale until midnight of the third business day following the transaction.
The Act also requires home solicitation sales agreements to be signed and dated by the buyer. The contracts must state a buyer’s cancellation rights and be written in the same language used during the oral presentation. A separate “Notice of Cancellation” must accompany them. The notice must state a buyer’s rights, the transaction date, and the last possible day to cancel.
The Home Solicitation Sales Act also prohibits sellers from engaging in certain deceptive practices. For example, sellers may not include provisions in contracts that waive a consumer’s rights or misrepresent a buyer’s right to cancel.
