Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

February 5, 2026

 

H. 4635

 

Introduced by Rep. B. Newton

 

S. Printed 2/5/26--H.

Read the first time January 13, 2026

 

________

 

The committee on House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4635) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 44-79-60, relating to physical fitness service contracts, so as to allow the use of electronic notification, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

S.H. DAVIS for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill would amend Section 44-79-60(4) to allow for physical fitness providers to give automatic renewal notices via electronic means.

 

The Department of Consumer Affairs indicates that this bill will have no expenditure impact, as it does not change the responsibilities of the agency.

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

_______

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-79-60, RELATING TO PHYSICAL FITNESS SERVICE CONTRACTS, SO AS TO ALLOW THE USE OF ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION FOR AUTOMATIC RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 44-79-60(4) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (4) provide for an automatic renewal option, for a duration of no longer than one month, which to be enforceable must be disclosed in bold type of at least fourteen-point font on the front page of the contract and must be initialed by the customer. The customer will be given the ability to opt-in to the automatic renewal provision at the time the initial contract is executed by initialing an opt-in provision. Near the expiration of the initial contract, the facility shall notify the customer electronically or in writing at the customer's last known address of the automatic renewal option which the customer selected at the time the initial contract was executed. Price may not increase or decrease in an automatically renewed contract without written notice to the customer of at least thirty but not more than sixty days prior to the effective date of the change in price;

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----