Georgia Lawmakers Propose Bill to Require Businesses to Allow Active-Duty Military Out of Contracts

Georgia lawmakers want to make it easier for active duty service members to get out of civil contracts, like gym memberships and television subscriptions.

House Bill 25, introduced by State Representative Dave Belton, seeks to eliminate instances where service members are not able to get out of certain contracts when their military orders change.

The bi-partisan measure is co-sponsored by state representatives Bill Hitches, Al Williams, Shaw Blackmon, Mike Glanton, and Josh Bonner. Williams and Glanton are Democrats.

In the bill, ‘active duty’ is defined as “a member of the regular or reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, the Georgia National Guard, or the Georgia Air  National Guard on ordered federal duty for a period of 90 days or longer.”

HB 25 creates an entirely new code section by prescribing OCGA 13-1-16 and allowing service members to terminate contracts if the contract is for:

• television, video, or audio programming or internet access through wireline facilities or a satellite
• A membership to a health spa, or gym

The provisions would only allow the cancellation of a contract if military orders to relocate for a period of service of at least 90 days were ordered and to a location that does not support the ability of the service member to receive identical contracted services under the contract.

The service member must also provide the military orders and at least 30 days notice.

The bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

You can read the bill below. (If you’re having trouble loading the PDF, click here)