H-0864.2

HOUSE BILL 1476

ByRepresentatives Stanford, Appleton, and Fitzgibbon

AN ACT Relating to contracts for dogs and cats; and adding a new section to chapter 63.10 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 63.10 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A contract offered or entered into on or after the effective date of this section to transfer ownership of a dog or cat in which ownership is contingent upon the making of payments over a period of time subsequent to the transfer of possession of the dog or cat, or that provides for or offers the option of transferring ownership of the dog or cat at the end of a lease term, is void and unenforceable.

(2) A contract entered into on or after the effective date of this section for the payment to repay a loan for the purchase of a dog or cat, whereby a security interest is granted in the dog or cat purchased, is void and unenforceable.

(3) In addition to any other remedies provided by law, the consumer taking possession of a dog or cat transferred under a contract described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section is deemed the owner of the dog or cat and is also entitled to the return of all amounts the consumer paid under the contract.

(4) Nothing in this section may be construed to apply to contracts for payments to repay an unsecured loan for the purchase of a dog or cat.

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