BILL NUMBER: SB 1154	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Figueroa

                        JANUARY 27, 2004

   An act to add Chapter 23.5 (commencing with Section 22730) to
Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to consumer
rebates.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1154, as introduced, Figueroa.  Consumer rebates.
   Existing law regulates various business activities and practices.

   This bill would impose certain requirements on companies and
retailers that offer consumer rebates, including that a company mail
a rebate to a consumer not later than 30 days from when the company
received the rebate request.  The bill would require a rebate offered
directly by a retailer on a product the retailer sells to be
redeemed at the time of the product's purchase.  The bill would
require, with an exception, a company that offers a rebate to accept
as valid proof of purchase a copy of the receipt for the purchase of
the product.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  no.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Chapter 23.5 (commencing with Section 22730) is added
to Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:

      CHAPTER 23.5.  CONSUMER REBATES

   22730.  (a) Except as specified in subdivision (b), a copy of a
receipt for the purchase of a product sent to a company offering a
rebate shall be sufficient proof of purchase for a rebate request.
The company shall have the right to reject a rebate request based
upon a copy of a receipt only if the company has a reasonable belief
that the consumer submitting the rebate request is attempting to
commit fraud or has already received the offered rebate.
   (b) A company may require an original receipt as proof of purchase
only if it has an agreement with its retailers to provide consumers
with a duplicate original receipt for the product for which the
rebate is offered.
   22731.  A rebate offer or advertisement shall conspicuously
disclose a telephone number on the rebate form that a consumer may
call to check the status of his or her rebate request.
   22732.  A rebate offered directly by a retailer on a product the
retailer sells shall be redeemed at the time of the product's
purchase.
   22733.  A company may require the consumer to write the model
number or other identifying number on the rebate form only if the
receipt does not reveal the product name, type, model, or other
identifying number.
   22734.  A company that offers a rebate shall allow at least 60
days from the time of purchase for the rebate request to be submitted
by the consumer.
   22735.  Upon receipt of a valid rebate request, a company shall
mail the rebate check not later than 30 days from the date the
company receives the rebate request.
   22736.  A company offering a rebate shall not require personal
information other than the consumer's name, address, and home phone
number.
   22737.  A company offering a rebate shall provide a rebate
redemption form with the product, or at the time and place the
consumer purchases the product.