SB 637
Consumer review platforms.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Judiciary
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill establishes regulations regarding consumer review platforms operating in California. It prohibits businesses from offering platforms that don't allow businesses to opt out of being reviewed by consumers. The bill defines key terms like ‘consumer review platform’ and ‘consumer testimonial’ to ensure clarity and protect consumer rights. It aims to ensure businesses have control over how they are represented in consumer reviews.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘consumer review platform’ as an online platform for displaying consumer reviews of businesses.
- Defines ‘consumer testimonial’ as advertising messages reflecting consumer experiences.
- Requires businesses offering review platforms in California to allow businesses to opt out of being reviewed.
- Establishes a ‘covered business’ as any business using such a platform.
- Specifies that a ‘consumer review’ includes a consumer rating without accompanying text.
- Adds Chapter 22.9 to the Business and Professions Code relating to consumer review platforms.
- Expresses the Legislature's intent to enact legislation related to consumer protection.
- Clarifies that the platform must be dedicated to receiving and displaying consumer evaluations.
Who is affected
- Businesses operating in California
- Consumers in California
- Online platforms used for consumer reviews
- Review platform providers
Notable changes
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
SB637:v98#DOCUMENT
Bill Start
| Amended IN Senate March 24, 2025 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 637
| Introduced by Senator Grayson |
| February 20, 2025 |
An act to add Chapter 22.9 (commencing with Section 22685) to Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to consumer protection. business.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 637, as amended, Grayson. Consumer protection. Consumer review platforms.
Existing law prohibits a contract, or proposed contract, for the sale or lease of consumer goods or services from including a provision waiving the consumer’s right to make a statement regarding the seller or lessor, or its employees or agents, or concerning the goods or services.This bill would prohibit a business from making a consumer review platform available in the state that does not allow a business to opt out of being the subject of consumer reviews or consumer testimonials on the consumer review platform. The bill would define “consumer review platform” to mean an online platform, or a portion of an online platform, that is dedicated to enabling a consumer to see or hear consumer reviews of, or consumer testimonials with respect to, particular businesses that consumers have submitted to the online platform.
Existing law contains various provisions for the purpose of protecting consumers, including, among others, provisions regulating financial institutions and businesses generally, protecting privacy, and providing for consumer legal remedies.
This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to consumer protection.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 22.9 (commencing with Section 22685) is added to Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:
CHAPTER 22.9. Consumer Review Platforms22685. As used in this chapter:(a) “Consumer review” means a consumer’s evaluation, or a purported consumer’s evaluation, of a product, service, or business that is submitted by the consumer, or purported consumer, and that is published on an internet website or platform dedicated in whole, or in part, to receiving and displaying those evaluations, including a consumer rating that does not include text or narrative.(b) “Consumer review platform” means an online platform, or a portion of an online platform, that is dedicated to enabling a consumer to see or hear consumer reviews of, or consumer testimonials with respect to, particular businesses that consumers have submitted to the online platform.(c) “Consumer testimonial” means an advertising or promotional message, including oral statements, demonstrations, or depictions of the name, signature, likeness, or other identifying personal characteristics of an individual, that consumers are likely to believe reflects the opinions, beliefs, or experiences of a consumer who has purchased, used, or otherwise had experience with a product, service, or business.(d) “Covered business” means a business entity that makes a consumer review platform available in the state.22686. A covered business shall not make a consumer review platform available in the state that does not allow a business to opt out of being the subject of consumer reviews or consumer testimonials on the consumer review platform.
SECTION 1.
It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to consumer protection.