New York updates consumer law with FAIR Business Practices Act

STATEWIDE — NEW YORK HAS enacted its first major overhaul of consumer protection law in 45 years with the signing of the FAIR Business Practices Act, expanding the state’s authority to crack down on unfair and abusive business conduct. 

Attorney General Letitia James in a statement, joined by Sen. Leroy Comrie and Assemblymember Micah Lasher, said the law modernizes General Business Law §349, which previously barred only deceptive practices.

Signed Dec. 20 by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the measure targets predatory lending, junk fees, abusive debt collection and misleading billing, while strengthening protections for small businesses and consumers with limited English proficiency. Lawmakers say the update brings New York in line with most states by banning unfair and abusive conduct, not just deception. 

The statute passed the Legislature in June.

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