§7003 Specific Exceptions

Summary

The law says some contracts and records are not covered by the general rule. It excludes things like wills and testamentary trusts; family law matters such as adoption and divorce; most of the Uniform Commercial Code in any State, except sections 1–107 and 1–206 and Articles 2 and 2A; court papers and notices needed for court cases (briefs, pleadings, orders); certain consumer notices (for example, ending utility service like water, heat, or power; default, foreclosure, repossession, eviction, or the right to cure on a loan or rental for a person’s primary residence; ending health or life insurance benefits, excluding annuities; and product recalls or serious product failures that threaten safety); and documents that must go with hazardous or toxic materials. The Secretary of Commerce, through the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, must study these exceptions for 3 years and report to Congress within 3 years after June 30, 2000. A federal regulatory agency can remove an exception in its own area if, after giving notice, taking public comment, and publishing a finding, it decides the exception is no longer needed to protect consumers and removing it will not increase the material risk of harm.