CHAPTER 339

H.P. 1084 - L.D. 1479

An Act To Protect Maine Consumers from Hidden Fees and

Charges

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 33 MRSA §1952, sub-§§4-A and 5-A are enacted to read:

4-A.__Face value.__"Face value" means the original purchase price or original issued value of a gift obligation if unused or, if partially used, the remaining balance prior to the deduction of any service charges, fees or dormancy charges.

5-A.__Gift obligation.__"Gift obligation" means an obligation of a business association arising from a transaction between the business association and a consumer to provide goods or services at a future date.__This includes, but is not limited to, a gift certificate, gift card, on-line gift account or other representation or evidence of the obligation.

Sec. 2. 33 MRSA §1953, sub-§1, ¶G, as amended by PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. T, §21, is further amended to read:

G. A gift certificate obligation, 3 years after December 31st of the year in which the certificate was sold; the gift obligation occurred.__A period of limitation may not be imposed on the owner's right to redeem the gift obligation.__The amount unclaimed is the price paid by the purchaser for face value of the gift certificate obligation, except that