Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §1210, as amended by PL 2001, c. 471, Pt. E, §1, is further amended to read:

§1210. Charges after trial period

In a sale agreed to by telephone, a merchant may not charge a consumer for a good or service after a trial period unless, prior to the charge, the consumer expressly agreed to be charged for the good or service if the consumer does not cancel the sale. At least 15 days prior to any charge, the merchant shall send a consumer a clearly written description of the agreement, the good or service being purchased, the amount being charged and the calendar date the consumer will be charged for the good or service if the consumer does not cancel the sale. This notice also must provide the specific steps by which the consumer can cancel the agreement by both mail and telephone or alternatively by a toll-free telephone number. The merchant has the burden of proving that the consumer expressly agreed to this arrangement and that the required written notices were provided within the time limits set forth in this section.

SUMMARY

This bill allows merchants to provide consumers who have already agreed over the telephone to be charged for a good or service after a trial period with a written notice detailing the specific steps for cancellation of the purchase using a toll-free telephone number.