State Legislatures Expand Consumer Protections on Pricing and Repair Rights

As consumers navigate increasingly complex marketplace interactions, 22 states have introduced 74 bills since November 2024 addressing deceptive trade practices and purchasing transparency. This legislative wave focuses on three core objectives: mandating clear pricing disclosures, expanding repair rights for purchased goods, and protecting against fraudulent financial practices. From New York's security freeze notifications to Washington's wheelchair repair mandates, these proposals collectively represent the most significant state-level consumer protection efforts since the 2010 Dodd-Frank reforms.

Core Policy Objectives

At least 18 bills mirror Maryland's HB194, requiring retailers to refund return shipping costs for defective items. Connecticut's HB06856 takes this further by mandating price reductions when manufacturers reduce product sizes - a practice known as 'shrinkflation.' The right-to-repair movement gains momentum through bills like Washington's SB5680, which requires manufacturers to provide repair documentation for mobility devices, directly benefiting individuals with physical disabilities.

Stakeholder Impacts

Consumers gain protections against hidden fees under Hawaii's SB1035 requiring all-inclusive ticket pricing, while older adults benefit from Maryland's HB332 enhancing wire transfer fraud safeguards. Businesses face new compliance layers - Nevada's SB332 imposes penalties for bad-faith copyright claims, and Illinois' HB385 regulates digital tipping interfaces.

Regional Approaches

Coastal states show distinct priorities:

• Northeast: New York's S06446 leads on credit monitoring reforms
• Mid-Atlantic: Maryland targets digital advertising transparency through HB546
• West: Colorado's HB1010 creates price gouging protections for essential goods

State	Focus Area	Example Bill
NY	Credit Security	S06446
MD	Digital Ads	HB546
IL	Service Fees	HB2928

Implementation Challenges

Florida's S1274 reveals enforcement complexities by requiring real-time price accuracy checks at point-of-sale systems. Rhode Island's H5553 mandating equal digital/instore discounts faces pushback from retailers citing coupon fraud risks. The cluster's most amended provision - Maryland's repair documentation requirements in HB31 - has undergone 14 revisions to balance manufacturer IP concerns with disability access needs.

Future Outlook

Pending legislation in Illinois (HB3490) and California (AB566) suggests growing emphasis on repair rights for medical devices and digital privacy. While current bills focus on state-level enforcement, parallel proposals in 7 states create pressure for federal standardization - particularly around right-to-repair rules affecting 6.8 million Americans using powered mobility devices.

As Connecticut Attorney General William Tong recently testified, 'These measures represent a fundamental rebalancing of marketplace power dynamics.' With 63% of sampled bills advancing from committee as of March 2025, consumers can expect expanded protections but should prepare for potential price adjustments as businesses adapt to compliance costs.