An act to add Chapter 22.9 (commencing with Section 22685) to Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to consumer protection. business.
Summary
SB 637 would add a new chapter to the Business and Professions Code governing “consumer review platforms.” The bill defines key terms such as consumer review, consumer testimonial, consumer review platform, and covered business, and then prohibits a covered business from making a consumer review platform available in California unless the platform allows a business to opt out of being the subject of consumer reviews or consumer testimonials. In practical terms, the measure would regulate online platforms that host or display business reviews or testimonial-style content.
The bill is framed as a consumer protection measure, but its operative provision is directed at the design and availability of review platforms rather than at traditional seller-consumer contracts. It would create a new statutory requirement for businesses that operate such platforms in the state, potentially affecting how online review and testimonial features are offered, moderated, or disabled for businesses that choose to opt out.
Impact
SB 637 would create new provisions in Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, specifically a new Chapter 22.9 beginning at Section 22685. It would impose a new compliance obligation on businesses that make consumer review platforms available in California, requiring an opt-out mechanism for businesses that are the subject of reviews or testimonials. The bill would therefore affect online platforms, review services, and businesses that rely on consumer feedback systems, while also potentially influencing how consumer-generated content is displayed in the state.
Sentiment
The available record shows limited formal debate, with no committee transcript excerpts and no recorded votes included in the materials provided. The bill advanced at least to the Senate Judiciary Committee stage and was later returned to the Secretary of the Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. Based on the text alone, the measure appears to have been introduced as a consumer protection initiative, but the absence of recorded discussion makes it difficult to identify broader support or opposition from the legislative record provided.
Contention
The main policy tension in SB 637 is between consumer review transparency and business control over online reputation. Supporters would likely view the bill as giving businesses more protection from unwanted reviews or testimonial use, while critics may see it as restricting consumer speech, limiting the usefulness of review platforms, or creating operational burdens for online platforms. The bill’s broad definitions of consumer review and consumer testimonial could also be a point of contention, because they may reach a wide range of ratings, comments, and promotional content.
An act to add Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 17370) to Part 2 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to business regulations.
An act to add Article 10 (commencing with Section 1980) to Chapter 4 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts. amend Section 84513 of the Government Code, relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974.
An act to add Chapter 22.9 (commencing with Section 22682) to Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, and to add Chapter 5.4 (commencing with Section 11530) to Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to business.
An act to repeal and add Article 14 (commencing with Section 2340) of Chapter 5 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.