Unsubscribe Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
Introduced
Summary
Stronger consumer protections for negative-option contracts. The bill requires clear disclosures, express informed consent, time limits on automatic renewals, and simple cancellation for subscriptions and trial-to-paid conversions.
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- Families and consumers gain clearer notices and easier exits. Merchants must get express informed consent before charging, send at least annual and pre-charge notices, and provide an easy online cancellation link; if a contract has a cancellation window, consumers must get a notice 2 to 7 days before the last day to cancel.
- Merchants and service providers face new operational rules. Sellers must keep verification of consent for at least 3 years, cannot automatically renew beyond the preliminary period without new consent, and must disclose trial cost, recurring price, and total cost for the term.
- Federal and state enforcers share power. The Federal Trade Commission treats violations as unfair or deceptive acts and can write rules, and states may bring enforcement actions while federal law only preempts conflicting state rules and preserves stronger state protections.
This Act applies to contracts entered into or amended one year after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Clear definitions for subscriptions
This bill would define key terms that decide which subscription-like offers are covered. It would require that consent be an affirmative act (for example, clicking a button or checking a box) and would bar consent inferred from silence, pre-checked boxes, or interfaces built to trick you. It would explicitly cover automatic renewals, continuity plans, and free-to-pay conversions. These definitions would guide how merchants must get and prove consent.
Easy cancellation and renewal limits
This bill would require an easy way to cancel subscription-style offers. Online contracts would need a direct link to an electronic cancellation form. Paper or phone plans would need a cancellation method like the one used to join, or another practicable option. Merchants would have to send notices at least once a year while the contract is active and, if there is a cancellation window, notify you 2 to 7 days before the last day to cancel. After a short trial ends, merchants could not auto-renew for a longer period than the trial unless you give fresh, clear consent.
Rules for free trial conversions
This bill would require merchants to tell you and get your clear consent before charging you after a free or discounted introductory offer. Merchants would have to disclose the intro price, the recurring price that will start after the trial, and the total 12-month cost when known. They would also have to notify you before the first post-trial charge and give direct access to the easy cancellation method.
Stronger pre-charge consent rules
This bill would stop merchants from charging your card for subscription-style offers unless they clearly disclose the main terms before payment and get your express informed consent. Merchants would need to keep proof of that consent for at least 3 years unless they can show their systems make unauthorized charges impossible. If enacted, this would reduce surprise charges from subscriptions and similar offers.
Enforcement and state-federal rules
This bill would let the Federal Trade Commission treat violations as unfair or deceptive acts and use its normal enforcement powers and penalties. States could also sue companies for violations on behalf of residents, but they must give notice to the FTC and usually could not sue a defendant while a federal action is pending. The bill would keep stronger state consumer protections in place unless they actually conflict with the federal rules, though timing differences are treated as conflicts.
One-year delay before changes
This bill would apply only to contracts entered into or changed after 1 year from enactment. Existing contracts would follow the old rules until you next enter into or amend them after that one-year date. This delays both consumer protections and merchant compliance for one year.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Amodei (NV)
NV • R
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Nehls
TX • R
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov