Connecticut’s Updated Automatic Renewal Law Adds New Requirements for Fitness Operators

New rules require annual renewal reminders, easier cancellation options, and action within one business day on qualifying cancellation requests left by voicemail.

Fitness facility operators in Connecticut face new requirements for notifying members about automatic renewals and processing cancellation requests under changes that took effect July 1.

One of the most notable changes for fitness operators involves cancellation requests made by voicemail. Beginning July 1, covered businesses must:

• Send consumers an annual reminder about automatically renewing agreements, including information about the goods or services covered, the frequency and cost of renewal, and instructions for cancellation
• Provide consumers with an easy way to cancel
• Allow consumers who enter into agreements online to cancel online without requiring an offline action
• Provide an online cancellation option, accessible email address, or telephone number, as required under the law
• Promptly process cancellation requests without obstructing or delaying consumers
• Cancel an automatically renewing agreement within one business day when a consumer leaves a voicemail requesting cancellation and provides sufficient information to process the request

The one-business-day voicemail requirement is particularly important for fitness operators. Facilities should make sure voicemail messages are monitored regularly and that internal procedures allow qualifying cancellation requests to be handled within the required timeframe.

Businesses that fail to comply may be engaging in an unfair trade practice and may be subject to investigation by the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General and Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

Fitness facility operators in Connecticut should review their membership agreements, automatic renewal notices, and cancellation procedures to ensure they comply with the updated requirements. Operators can review the full requirements in Connecticut’s automatic renewal law.