Oregon's House of Representatives has passed HB 3605, addressing deceptive home solicitation practices. The bill allows consumers to sue sellers who engage in improper door-to-door sales tactics. According to the official press release, the legislation also provides the Attorney General with additional authority to enforce home solicitation sales regulations.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Willy Chotzen of Southeast Portland, addresses the need for stronger legal protections against individuals who take advantage of the privacy of one's home with deceptive selling tactics. Chotzen was quoted saying, "If someone comes to your home – the place where you deserve to feel most safe – you shouldn’t have to endure being tricked or deceived by a bad actor," in a statement obtained by House Democrats of the Oregon Legislature. With the HB 3605, the state law will be amended to categorize violations of the Home Solicitation Sales Act (HSSA) as violations of the Unlawful Trade Practices Act (UTPA).
The Home Solicitation Sales Act (HSSA), a consumer protection law established over fifty years ago, grants customers the right to cancel a home solicitation sale within three days. This applies to any sales, leases, or rentals of goods or services conducted outside the seller's business premises. Further supporting the bill, Rep. Nathan Sosa of Greater Hillsboro added, "This isn’t about making it more difficult to sell things door-to-door. It is about empowering consumers to stand up for themselves if they are subjected to unlawful sales tactics," as stated in the press release.
Rep. Farrah Chaichi noted the vulnerability of certain groups, including older adults and non-English speakers, who may be more susceptible to high-pressure and deceptive sales tactics. In a statement, Chaichi told House Democrats of the Oregon Legislature, "Our most vulnerable consumers, especially older adults, who are more often home during the day, and non-English speakers, are most likely to fall victim to high pressure and deceptive sales tactics. We must do better for them." The alarming statistics from the National Institute of Health and the Federal Bureau of Investigation highlight the seriousness of financial exploitation targeting older adults.
The bill is currently awaiting a decision in the Senate. If passed, it would provide Oregon residents with enhanced protections against coercive and deceptive sales tactics at their homes.
