ASSEMBLY, No. 1519

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 8, 1996

By Assemblymen IMPREVEDUTO and KELLY

An Act concerning gift certificates and supplementing P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. a. A gift certificate issued by a retail mercantile or service establishment for merchandise or service shall be valid until presented in exchange for that merchandise or service, or shall have any and all conditions and limitations: (1) disclosed to the purchaser of the gift certificate at the time of purchase and (2) conspicuously printed on the gift certificate.

    b. As used in this act, "gift certificate" means a written promise given in exchange for payment to provide merchandise or a service in a specified amount or of equal value to the bearer of the certificate.

    2. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations necessary to implement this act.

    3. It is an unlawful practice and a violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) to violate the provisions of this act.

    4. This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment, except that section 2 shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill requires a gift certificate issued by a retail mercantile or service establishment to be valid until redeemed by the bearer unless the conditions and limitations of the gift certificate are fully disclosed to the purchaser and are conspicuously printed on the gift certificate. A "gift certificate" is a written promise given in exchange for payment to provide merchandise or service in a specific amount or of equal value to the bearer of the certificate.

Requires gift certificates to be valid until redeemed unless conditions and limitations are fully disclosed.