The Pennsylvania House Communications & Technology Committee has approved two bills aimed at bolstering consumer protections for residents enrolled in automatically renewing subscription services.

The measures now move to the full House for further consideration.

The legislation targets so-called “negative option” subscription plans, which automatically renew unless a consumer cancels.

The proposed bills would:

   •Require companies to provide clear, conspicuous notifications before each automatic renewal.

   •Mandate transparency about renewal terms and cancellation policies.

   •Ensure subscribers can easily cancel services online through a “click to cancel” feature, eliminating the need for lengthy phone calls or navigating confusing processes.

House Bill 129 (Rep. Lisa Borowski) would require pre-renewal reminders and clear disclosure of subscription terms and cancellation instructions so consumers are not caught off guard by recurring charges.

House Bill 1299 (Rep. Joe Ciresi) would establish the “click to cancel” rule for online subscriptions and require companies to be transparent about free gifts and trial periods, ensuring consumers are aware of future charges and have a straightforward way to opt out.

Majority Chair Rep. Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery) emphasized the importance of the bills: “By requiring transparency in companies’ communications about their subscriptions, consumers will save money by being aware of the ‘strings attached’ to certain subscriptions and having adequate time to cancel subscriptions they no longer want prior to automatic renewals”.

The committee’s action reflects a growing legislative focus on empowering consumers and curbing misleading business practices in Pennsylvania’s digital marketplace.