Recent government initiatives at both state and federal levels are intensifying against so-called "junk fees" and hidden charges.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been at the forefront, proposing a new Trade Regulation Rule aimed at prohibiting unfair or deceptive practices relating to fees for goods or services such as misrepresenting the total costs of goods and services by omitting mandatory fees from advertised prices and misrepresenting the nature and purpose of fees.

State laws are also on the rise. California’s “Honest Pricing Law” or “Hidden Fee Statute” (SB-478), took effect on July 1, 2024, and requires “all-in pricing.” Under the new law, companies must include mandatory fees in advertised prices. A similar all-in pricing law goes into effect in Minnesota on January 1, 2025. Proposed legislation is pending in several other states.

These laws and regulations could lead to a major overhaul in how companies present advertised prices, pushing for more transparent all-in pricing in advertising and marketing practices. In this new webinar, Manatt will provide an in-depth look at the current regulatory landscape and discuss best practices for companies.

Key topics that will be covered include:

• Federal efforts to address “junk fees” including by the FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
• Current state laws in effect or imminent
• Dynamic pricing
• Best practices for companies to comply with new laws and regulations

Speakers

Christine Reilly, Partner, Consumer Protection
Justin Jones Rodriguez, Partner, Litigation and Consumer Protection
Patrice Ruane, Associate, Consumer Protection

Date and Time

Wednesday, October 30, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. PT
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET

CLE

This program has been approved for 1.0 NY CLE Areas of Professional Practice (transitional and non-transitional) and for 1.0 CA MCLE General credit.

If you would like to receive an audio transcript of this webinar due to accessibility issues, please email us at webinars@manatt.com.

This program does not constitute legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. Views expressed by presenters are strictly their own and should not be construed to be the views of Manatt or attributed to Manatt.