GIFT CARDS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES STATUTES AND LEGISLATION
Posted February 16, 2016, 4:43:46 PM ∙ By Admin Web ∙ 12482 Views
Heather Morton1/14/2015
PLEASE NOTE: Please note the summaries should be used for general informational purposes and not as a legal reference. NCSL is unable to answer questions or provide guidance to citizens or businesses regarding gift cards and gift certificate laws and practices. If you have questions regarding issuing or redeeming a gift card or gift certificate or a retailer's practices, please contact an attorney or the Office of the Attorney General in your state.
NCSL Contact: Heather Morton, Denver
In 2009, Congress passed the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, which set consumer protections for gift cards based on many state laws.
The law provides that gift cards cannot expire within five years from the date they were activated and generally limits inactivity fee on gift cards except in certain circumstances, such as if there has been no transaction for at least 12 months.
The federal law creates a floor for regulation and leaves room for state regulation on redeeming gift cards for cash and unclaimed property provisions.
FEDERAL STATUTES
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009, Public Law 111-24
Eco-Gift Card Act, Public Law 111-209
Delays certain disclosure requirements in the Credit CARD Act of 2009 until January 31, 2011, as specified.
Please check the below link to be taken directly to the state's statutory information.