Council Adopts Model Legislation to Strengthen Consumer Protection Laws

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Legislative Exchange Council has adopted model legislation for state consumer protection acts that would require private action plaintiffs to show proof that the alleged violation caused their injury.

The ALEC, which touts itself as a nonpartisan membership organization of state legislators, adopted the Model Act on Private Enforcement of Consumer Protection Statute because consumer protection acts (CPAs) "are being frequently used to stretch tort law and expand liability in unanticipated and unpredictable ways, improperly regulating entire industries through litigation."

"CPAs were meant to provide citizens with a means for recovery in claims involving typical …