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S.B. 147

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Mon, Feb 20, 2006 at 11:14 AM by ddonat. -->              1     

DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2006 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Dan R. Eastman

             6     
House Sponsor: Roger E. Barrus

             7     

             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill addresses various provisions administered by the Division of Consumer
             11      Protection.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    increases the maximum amount of an administrative fine under Title 13, Chapter
             15      15, Business Opportunity Disclosure Act;
             16          .    expands the definition of a credit services organization under Title 13, Chapter 21,
             17      Credit Services Organizations Act;
             18          .    increases the maximum amount of an administrative fine under Title 13, Chapter
             19      21, Credit Services Organizations Act;
             20          .    narrows the definition of a health spa under Title 13, Chapter 23, Health Spa
             21      Services Protection Act;
             22          .    clarifies an exemption from bond requirements under Title 13, Chapter 23, Health
             23      Spa Services Protection Act;
             24          .    eliminates references limiting an exemption from Title 13, Chapter 34, Utah
             25      Postsecondary Proprietary School Act, to Utah schools;
             26          .    clarifies an exemption under Title 13, Chapter 34, Utah Postsecondary Proprietary
             27      School Act, for aviation training; and



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             28
         .     makes technical changes.
             29      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             30          None
             31      Other Special Clauses:
             32          This bill provides an immediate effective date.
             33      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             34      AMENDS:
             35          13-15-6, as last amended by Chapter 85, Laws of Utah 1995
             36          13-21-2, as last amended by Chapter 55, Laws of Utah 2004
             37          13-21-8, as last amended by Chapter 83, Laws of Utah 1995
             38          13-23-2, as last amended by Chapter 18, Laws of Utah 2005
             39          13-23-6, as last amended by Chapter 18, Laws of Utah 2005
             40          13-34-105, as last amended by Chapter 242, Laws of Utah 2005
             41      REPEALS:
             42          13-25a-110, as enacted by Chapter 263, Laws of Utah 2003
             43     

             44      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             45          Section 1. Section 13-15-6 is amended to read:
             46           13-15-6. Failure to file disclosures -- Relief where seller fails to comply with
             47      chapter -- Relief where division granted judgment or injunction -- Administrative fines.
             48          (1) If a seller fails to file the disclosures required under Section 13-15-4 , or fails after
             49      demand by the division to file the disclosure within 15 days, the division, consistent with
             50      Section 13-2-5 , shall begin adjudicative proceedings and shall issue a cease and desist order.
             51          (2) Any purchaser of a business opportunity from a seller who does not comply with
             52      this chapter is entitled, in an appropriate court of competent jurisdiction, to rescission of the
             53      contract, to an award of a reasonable attorney's fee and costs of court in an action to enforce the
             54      right of rescission, and to the amount of actual damages or $2,000, whichever is greater.
             55          (3) In the event the division is granted judgment or injunctive relief in an appropriate
             56      court of competent jurisdiction, the division, in addition to any other relief, is entitled to an
             57      award of reasonable attorney's fees, costs of court, and investigative fees.
             58          (4) (a) In addition to other penalties under this chapter, and to its other enforcement



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             59
     powers under Title 13, Chapter 2, Division of Consumer Protection, the division director may
             60      impose an administrative fine of up to [$1,000] $2,500 for each violation of this chapter.
             61          (b) All money received through administrative fines imposed under this section shall
             62      be deposited in the Consumer Protection Education and Training Fund created by Section
             63      13-2-8 .
             64          Section 2. Section 13-21-2 is amended to read:
             65           13-21-2. Definitions -- Exemptions.
             66          As used in this chapter:
             67          (1) "Buyer" means an individual who is solicited to purchase or who purchases the
             68      services of a credit services organization.
             69          (2) "Credit reporting agency" means a person [that] who, for a monetary fee, dues, or
             70      on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the practice of
             71      assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for
             72      the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third persons.
             73          (3) (a) "Credit services organization" means a person who, with respect to the
             74      extension of credit by others, sells, provides, or performs, or represents that the person can or
             75      will sell, provide, or perform, in return for the payment of money or other valuable
             76      consideration any of the following services:
             77          (i) improving a buyer's credit record, history, or rating;
             78          (ii) obtaining an extension of credit for a buyer;
             79          (iii) providing advice, assistance, instruction, or instructional materials to a buyer with
             80      regard to either Subsection (3)(a)(i) or (ii);
             81          (iv) providing debt reduction or debt management plans;
             82          (v) [represent] representing itself or its employee as a debt professional or credit
             83      counselor; or
             84          (vi) [negotiate] negotiating with a buyer's creditor.
             85          (b) "Credit services organization" does not include:
             86          (i) a person authorized to make loans or extensions of credit under the laws of this state
             87      or the United States who is subject to regulation and supervision by this state or the United
             88      States and who derives at least 35% of the person's income from making loans and extensions
             89      of credit;



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House Committee Amendments 2-20-2006 dd/crp
             90
         (ii) a depository institution:
             91          (A) as defined in Section 7-1-103 ; or
             92          (B) that is regulated or supervised by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
             92a      H. [ and ] or .H
             93      the National Credit Union H. [ Association ] Administration .H ;
             94          (iii) a person licensed as a real estate broker by this state if the person is acting within
             95      the course and scope of that license;
             96          (iv) a person licensed to practice law in this state if:
             97          (A) the person renders the services described in Subsection (3)(a) within the course and
             98      scope of the person's practice as an attorney; and
             99          (B) the services described in Subsection (3)(a) are incidental to the person's practice as
             100      an attorney;
             101          (v) a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the
             102      Commodity Futures Trading Commission if the broker-dealer is acting within the course and
             103      scope of that regulation; or
             104          (vi) a credit reporting agency if the services described in Subsection (3)(a) are
             105      incidental to the credit reporting agency's services.
             106          (4) "Extension of credit" means the right to defer payment of debt or to incur debt and
             107      defer its payment, offered or granted primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.
             108          Section 3. Section 13-21-8 is amended to read:
             109           13-21-8. Burden of proving exception -- Penalties -- Court's criminal and
             110      equitable jurisdiction -- Prosecution.
             111          (1) (a) Any waiver by a buyer of any part of this chapter is void.
             112          (b) Any attempt by a credit services organization to have a buyer waive rights given by
             113      this chapter is a violation of this chapter.
             114          (2) In any proceeding involving this chapter, the burden of proving an exemption or an
             115      exception from a definition is upon the person claiming the exemption or exception.
             116          (3) (a) Any person who violates this chapter is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
             117          (b) Any district court of this state has jurisdiction to restrain and enjoin the violation of
             118      this chapter.
             119          (4) The attorney general, any county attorney, any district attorney, or any city attorney
             120      may prosecute misdemeanor actions or institute injunctive or civil proceedings, or both, under



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House Committee Amendments 2-20-2006 dd/crp
             121
     this chapter.
             122          (5) The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this chapter are not exclusive
             123      and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties provided by law.
             124          (6) (a) In addition to other penalties under this section, the division director may issue a
             125      cease and desist order and impose an administrative fine of up to [$1,000] $2,500 for each
             126      violation of this chapter.
             127          (b) All money received through administrative fines imposed under this section shall
             128      be deposited in the Consumer Protection Education and Training Fund created by Section
             129      13-2-8 .
             130          Section 4. Section 13-23-2 is amended to read:
             131           13-23-2. Definitions.
             132          As used in this chapter:
             133          (1) "Consumer" means a purchaser of health spa services for valuable consideration.
             134          (2) "Division" means the Division of Consumer Protection.
             135          (3) (a) "Health spa" means any person, partnership, joint venture, corporation,
             136      association, or other entity that, for a charge or fee, provides as one of its primary purposes
             137      services or facilities that are purported to assist patrons to improve their physical condition or
             138      appearance through:
             139          (i) aerobic conditioning;
             140          (ii) strength training;
             141          (iii) fitness training; H. or
             142           [ (iv) yoga training;
             143          (v) pilates training; or
] .H

             144          (vi) other exercise.
             145          (b) "Health spa" includes any establishment designated:
             146          (i) as a "health spa";
             147          (ii) as a "spa";
             148          (iii) as an "exercise gym";
             149          (iv) as a "health studio";
             150          (v) as a "health club";
             151          (vi) as a "personal training facility"; H. or



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House Committee Amendments 2-20-2006 dd/crp
             152
          [ (vii) as a "yoga facility";
             153          (viii) as a "pilates facility"; or
] .H

             154          (ix) with any other similar terms.
             155          (c) "Health spa" does not include:
             156          (i) any facility operated by a licensed physician at which the physician engages in the
             157      practice of medicine;
             158          (ii) any facility operated by a [health care provider,] hospital, intermediate care facility,
             159      or skilled nursing care facility;
             160          (iii) any public or private school, college, or university;
             161          (iv) any facility owned or operated by the state or its political subdivisions; [or]
             162          (v) any facility owned or operated by the United States or its political subdivisions[.];
             163      or
             164          (vi) instruction offered by an individual if:
             165          (A) the individual offering the instruction does not utilize another individual as an
             166      employee or independent contractor; and
             167          (B) a patron is not granted the use of a facility containing exercise equipment.
             168          (4) "Health spa services" means any service provided by a health spa, including athletic
             169      facilities, equipment, and instruction.
             170          Section 5. Section 13-23-6 is amended to read:
             171           13-23-6. Exemptions from bond, letter of credit, or certificate of deposit
             172      requirement.
             173          A health spa that offers no paid-in-full membership, but only memberships paid for by
             174      installment contracts is exempt from the application of [Section] Subsections 13-23-5 (2)
             175      through (5) if:
             176          (1) each contract contains the following clause: "If this health spa ceases operation and
             177      fails to offer an alternate location within five miles, no further payments under this contract
             178      shall be due to anyone, including any purchaser of any note associated with or contained in this
             179      contract.";
             180          (2) all payments due under each contract, including down payments, enrollment fees,
             181      membership fees, or any other payments to the health spa, are in equal monthly installments
             182      spread over the entire term of the contract; and



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             183
         (3) the term of each contract is clearly stated and is not capable of being extended.
             184          Section 6. Section 13-34-105 is amended to read:
             185           13-34-105. Exempted institutions.
             186          (1) This chapter does not apply to the following institutions:
             187          (a) a Utah institution directly supported, to a substantial degree, with funds provided
             188      by:
             189          (i) the state;
             190          (ii) a local school district; or
             191          (iii) other Utah governmental subdivision;
             192          (b) an institution that offers instruction exclusively at or below the 12th grade level;
             193          (c) a lawful enterprise that offers only professional review programs, such as C.P.A.
             194      and bar examination review and preparation courses;
             195          (d) a [Utah] private, postsecondary educational institution that is owned, controlled,
             196      operated, or maintained by a bona fide church or religious denomination, which is exempted
             197      from property taxation under the laws of this state;
             198          (e) subject to Subsection (3), a [Utah] school or institution that is accredited by a
             199      regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of
             200      Education;
             201          (f) subject to Subsection (4), a business organization, trade or professional association,
             202      fraternal society, or labor union that:
             203          (i) sponsors or conducts courses of instruction or study predominantly for bona fide
             204      employees or members; and
             205          (ii) does not, in advertising, describe itself as a school;
             206          (g) an institution that exclusively offers general education courses or instruction solely
             207      remedial, avocational, nonvocational, or recreational in nature, that does not:
             208          (i) advertise occupation objectives; or
             209          (ii) grant educational credentials;
             210          (h) an institution that offers only workshops or seminars:
             211          (i) lasting no longer than three calendar days; and
             212          (ii) for which academic credit is not awarded;
             213          (i) an institution that offers programs:



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             214
         (i) in barbering, cosmetology, real estate, or insurance[, or flying]; and
             215          (ii) that are regulated and approved by a state or federal governmental agency; [and]
             216          (j) an education provider certified by the Division of Real Estate under Section
             217      61-2c-103 [.];
             218          (k) an institution that offers aviation training if the institution:
             219          (i) (A) is approved under Part 141, Federal Aviation Regulations, 14 C.F.R. Chapter
             220      141; or
             221          (B) provides aviation training under Part 61, Federal Aviation Regulations, 14 C.F.R.
             222      Chapter 61; and
             223          (ii) exclusively offers aviation training that a student fully receives within 24 hours
             224      after the student pays any tuition, fee, or other charge for the aviation training; and
             225          (l) an institution that provides emergency medical services training if all of the
             226      institution's instructors, course coordinators, and courses are approved by the Department of
             227      Health.
             228          (2) (a) If available evidence suggests that an exempt institution under this section is not
             229      in compliance with the standards of registration under this chapter and applicable division
             230      rules, the division shall contact the institution and, if appropriate, the state or federal
             231      government agency to request corrective action.
             232          (b) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply to an institution exempted under Subsection (1)(e).
             233          (3) An institution, branch, extension, or facility operating within the state that is
             234      affiliated with an institution operating in another state must be separately approved by the
             235      affiliate's regional or national accrediting agency to qualify for the exemption described in
             236      Subsection (1)(e).
             237          (4) For purposes of Subsection (1)(f), a business organization, trade or professional
             238      association, fraternal society, or labor union is considered to be conducting the course
             239      predominantly for bona fide employees or members if it hires a majority of the persons who:
             240          (a) successfully complete its course of instruction or study with a reasonable degree of
             241      proficiency; and
             242          (b) apply for employment with that same entity.
             243          Section 7. Repealer.
             244          This bill repeals:



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             245
         Section 13-25a-110, Advisory group.
             246          Section 8. Effective date.
             247          If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
             248      upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
             249      Constitution Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
             250      the date of veto override.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-13-05 10:12 AM


Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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