FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 5296
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 28 L 15
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning regulation of locksmith services.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Conway, King, McAuliffe, Hasegawa and Chase).
Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor
House Committee on Business & Financial Services
Background: The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) prohibits unfair or deceptive practices in commerce. The CPA may be enforced by private legal action or through a civil action by the Attorney General. False advertising and false representation may constitute unfair and deceptive practices.
Summary: A locksmith cannot misrepresent the locksmith's geographic location by:
Listing a local telephone number in a local telephone directory or on an Internet website if calls to the number are routinely forwarded to a location outside the calling area covered by the directory and the listing does not conspicuously disclose the business' locality and state; or
Listing a business name in a local telephone directory or on an Internet website if the name misrepresents the geographic location of the business and the listing fails to disclose the locality and state of the business.
These misrepresentations are unfair and deceptive acts under the CPA.
Locksmiths must conspicuously display either the business license number or the unified business identifier account number on the business website and all advertising.
These provisions apply to those whose primary business is providing locksmith services and who represent himself or herself to the public as locksmiths.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 49 | 0 | |
House | 91 | 6 |
Effective: | July 24, 2015 |