Datasets:

referencesource
/

gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state

cash_redemption_threshold stringclasses 10 values	covered_instruments stringlengths 36 1.44k	derived_fields listlengths 1 1	expiration_rule stringlengths 50 520	fee_rule stringlengths 71 797	id stringlengths 4 27	source stringlengths 48 111	source_quote stringlengths 164 2.45k	state stringlengths 4 29	statute_citation stringlengths 14 100	url stringlengths 73 96	verified_fields listlengths 2 5
less than fifteen dollars ($15)	This section does not apply to any of the following gift certificates issued on or after January 1, 1998, if the expiration date appears in capital letters in at least 10-point font on the front of the gift certificate: (1) A gift certificate that is distributed by the issuer to a consumer pursuant to an awards, loyalt...	[ "statute_citation" ]	unlawful for any person or entity to sell a gift certificate to a purchaser that contains any of the following: (1) An expiration date	(2) A service fee, including, but not limited to, a service fee for dormancy, except as provided in subdivision (f)	california	https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1749.5	It is unlawful for any person or entity to sell a gift certificate to a purchaser that contains any of the following: (1) An expiration date. (2) A service fee, including, but not limited to, a service fee for dormancy, except as provided in subdivision (f). (b) (1) A gift certificate sold after January 1, 1997, is red...	California	Cal. Civ. Code § 1749.5	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/california/	[ "cash_redemption_threshold", "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule", "state" ]
five dollars or less	(b) This section shall not apply to gift cards that are usable with multiple sellers of goods or services. This exception shall not apply to a gift card usable only with affiliated sellers of goods or services.	[ "statute_citation" ]	no expiration rule in this section: C.R.S. 6-1-722 bans fees and grants cash redemption but says nothing about expiration dates, so the federal five-year floor is the only limit	It is unlawful for any person or entity to sell to a purchaser a gift card that contains a service fee, a dormancy fee, an inactivity fee, a maintenance fee, or any other type of fee.	colorado	https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-06.pdf	(2) On and after August 11, 2010, the issuer shall redeem the remaining value of a gift card for cash if the amount remaining is five dollars or less on request of the holder.	Colorado	Colo. Rev. Stat. 6-1-722 (Colorado Consumer Protection Act), 2024 edition	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/colorado/	[ "cash_redemption_threshold", "covered_instruments", "fee_rule" ]
less than five dollars	“Gift card” does not include: (1) A general-use prepaid card, as defined in 12 CFR 1005.20(a)(3), as from time to time amended, (2) a gift certificate donated or sold below face value by a retailer to a charitable organization or nonprofit community organization, (3) a linked prepaid card, as defined in section 42-460a...	[ "statute_citation" ]	No person may sell or issue a gift certificate, as defined in section 3-56a, that is subject to an expiration date.	no fee restriction on a gift certificate in chapter 743cc, so the federal floor applies; the chapter bans expiration dates outright instead	connecticut	https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_743cc.htm	(a) No person may sell or issue a gift certificate, as defined in section 3-56a, that is subject to an expiration date. No gift certificate or any agreement with respect to such gift certificate may contain language suggesting that an expiration date may apply to the gift certificate.	Connecticut	Conn. Gen. Stat. 42-460 (expiration) and 42-461 (cash refund), Chapter 743cc	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/connecticut/	[ "cash_redemption_threshold", "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule" ]
none	a gift certificate may have an expiration date if it is provided to the recipient, or to a purchaser for transfer to the recipient, as part of a loyalty or promotional program when the recipient does not pay a separate identifiable charge for the certificate	[ "statute_citation" ]	may not have an expiration date, expiration period	any type of postsale charge or fee imposed on the gift certificate or credit memo, including, but not limited to, service charges, dormancy fees, account maintenance fees, or cash-out fees	florida	http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0501/Sections/0501.95.html	A gift certificate purchased or credit memo issued in this state may not have an expiration date, expiration period, or any type of postsale charge or fee imposed on the gift certificate or credit memo, including, but not limited to, service charges, dormancy fees, account maintenance fees, or cash-out fees. However, a...	Florida	Fla. Stat. § 501.95(2)(a)	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/florida/	[ "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
none	The face value of a gift certificate issued on or after January 1, 2008 may not be reduced in value and the holder of a gift certificate issued after January 1, 2008 may not be penalized in any way for non-use or untimely redemption of the gift certificate	[ "statute_citation" ]	no person shall sell a gift certificate that is subject to: (1) an expiration date earlier than 5 years after the date of issuance	no person shall sell a gift certificate that is subject to: (1) an expiration date earlier than 5 years after the date of issuance; or (2) a post-purchase fee	illinois	https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=081505050K2SS	(b) On or after January 1, 2008, no person shall sell a gift certificate that is subject to: (1) an expiration date earlier than 5 years after the date of issuance; or (2) a post-purchase fee. Any gift certificate issued prior to January 1, 2008 that is subject to a fee must contain a statement clearly and conspicuousl...	Illinois	815 ILCS 505/2SS(b)	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/illinois/	[ "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
once redeemed for at least 90 per cent of face value (non-reloadable), or when the value remaining is $5.00 or less (reloadable)	A gift certificate, as defined in section 1 of chapter 255D	[ "statute_citation" ]	shall be valid for not less than 7 years after its date of issuance	no state fee restriction stated in this section (federal floor applies)	massachusetts	https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleII/Chapter200A/Section5D	Section 5D. A gift certificate, as defined in section 1 of chapter 255D, sold or offered to be sold shall be valid for not less than 7 years after its date of issuance. The date of issuance and the expiration date shall be clearly identified on its face, subject to section 75C of chapter 266, or, if an electronic card ...	Massachusetts	Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 200A, § 5D	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/massachusetts/	[ "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule" ]
none: the act requires a retailer to accept a gift certificate worth less than the purchase price and apply it to the price, but grants no right to cash out a remaining balance	Subject to subsection (3), "gift certificate" means a written promise or a gift card or other electronic payment device that meets all of the following: (i) Is usable at a single retailer, is usable at an affiliated group of retailers that share the same name, mark, or logo, or is usable at multiple, unaffiliated retai...	[ "statute_citation" ]	A person engaged in the retail sale of goods or services shall not sell a gift certificate to a consumer that expires within a period of less than 5 years.	A person engaged in the retail sale of goods or services shall not charge an inactivity fee or other service fee to a consumer for the possession or use of a gift certificate. As used in this section, "service fee" does not include any fee charged to and paid by a consumer in connection with the sale of a gift certific...	michigan	https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-445-903g	Sec. 3g. A person engaged in the retail sale of goods or services shall not sell a gift certificate to a consumer that expires within a period of less than 5 years.	Michigan	Mich. Comp. Laws 445.903e, 445.903f and 445.903g (Michigan Consumer Protection Act, Act 331 of 1976)	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/michigan/	[ "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
none	shall not apply to gift certificates: (1) distributed to a consumer for loyalty, promotional, award, incentive, rebate, or other similar purposes without any money or other tangible thing of value being given by the consumer in exchange for the gift certificate or gift card; (2) that are sold below face value or at a v...	[ "statute_citation" ]	unlawful for any person or entity to sell a gift certificate that is subject to an expiration date	a service fee of any kind, including, but not limited to, a service fee for dormancy	minnesota	https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/325G.53	It is unlawful for any person or entity to sell a gift certificate that is subject to an expiration date or a service fee of any kind, including, but not limited to, a service fee for dormancy. § Subd. 3.Nonapplication. The provisions of this section shall not apply to gift certificates: (1) distributed to a consumer f...	Minnesota	Minn. Stat. § 325G.53	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/minnesota/	[ "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
less than $5	no exemptions stated in this section	[ "statute_citation" ]	A gift certificate is valid until redemption and does not terminate	A gift certificate may not be reduced in value by any fee, including a dormancy fee applied if a certificate is not used	montana	https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0300/chapter_0140/part_0010/section_0080/0300-0140-0010-0080.html	(1) A gift certificate is valid until redemption and does not terminate. A gift certificate is considered trust property of the possessor if the issuer or seller of the gift certificate declares bankruptcy after issuing or selling the gift certificate. (2) The value represented by the gift certificate belongs to the po...	Montana	Mont. Code Ann. § 30-14-108	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/montana/	[ "cash_redemption_threshold", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
none	"Gift certificate" means a promise given in exchange for payment to provide the bearer, upon presentation, goods or services in a specified amount.	[ "statute_citation" ]	Selling gift certificates having a face value of $250 or less to purchasers which contain expiration dates. Gift certificates having a face value in excess of $250 shall expire when escheated to the state as abandoned property	Dormancy fees, latency fees, or any other administrative fees or service charges that have the effect of reducing the total amount for which the holder may redeem a gift certificate are prohibited	new-hampshire	https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXXI/358-A/358-A-2.htm	XIII. Selling gift certificates having a face value of $250 or less to purchasers which contain expiration dates. Gift certificates having a face value in excess of $250 shall expire when escheated to the state as abandoned property pursuant to RSA 471-C. Dormancy fees, latency fees, or any other administrative fees or...	New Hampshire	N.H. Rev. Stat. § 358-A:2, XIII (expiration and fees) and § 358-A:1, IV-a (definition)	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/new-hampshire/	[ "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
a balance of less than $5	does not include a prepaid telecommunications or technology card, prepaid bank card or rewards card	[ "statute_citation" ]	In no case shall the underlying funds associated with a gift certificate or gift card expire within the 24 months immediately following the date of sale	No dormancy fee shall be charged against a gift certificate or a gift card within the 24 months immediately following the date of sale, nor shall one be charged within the 24 months immediately following the most recent activity or transaction in which the certificate or card was used. (3) A dormancy fee charged agains...	new-jersey	https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-56/section-56-8-110/	(1) In no case shall the underlying funds associated with a gift certificate or gift card expire within the 24 months immediately following the date of sale. (2) No dormancy fee shall be charged against a gift certificate or a gift card within the 24 months immediately following the date of sale, nor shall one be charg...	New Jersey	N.J. Stat. § 56:8-110	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/new-jersey/	[ "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
less than five dollars	“gift certificate” shall mean a certificate, electronic card, or other pre-funded record that: (i) is usable at a single merchant or an affiliated group of merchants that share the same name, mark, or logo, or is usable at multiple, unaffiliated merchants or service providers; and (ii) is issued in a specified amount; ...	[ "statute_citation" ]	It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or issue a gift certificate other than a promotional gift certificate where the underlying funds are subject to an expiration date, provided that a gift certificate may be subject to an expiration date which is not earlier than the later of nine years after the date on which ...	No person, firm, partnership, association or corporation shall charge or assess, or sell or issue any gift certificate subject to, any activation fee, retroactive fee, redemption fee, service fee, dormancy fee, latency fee, administrative fee, handling fee, access fee, periodic fee, renewal fee, re-loading fee, or any ...	new-york	https://newyork.public.law/laws/n.y._general_business_law_section_396-i	5-a. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or issue a gift certificate other than a promotional gift certificate where the underlying funds are subject to an expiration date, provided that a gift certificate may be subject to an expiration date which is not earlier than the later of nine years after the date on w...	New York	N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law 396-i (subds. 5, 5-a and 5-b)	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/new-york/	[ "cash_redemption_threshold", "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
none	Division (A) of this section does not apply to any of the following gift cards: (1) A gift card that is distributed by the issuer to a consumer pursuant to an awards, loyalty, or promotional program without any money or anything of value being given in exchange for the gift card by the consumer; (2) A gift card that is...	[ "statute_citation" ]	no person or entity shall sell a gift card to a purchaser containing an expiration date that is less than two years after the date the gift card is issued	No person or entity, within two years after a gift card is issued, shall charge service charges or fees relative to that gift card, including dormancy fees, latency fees, or administrative fees	ohio	https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1349.61	(A)(1) Subject to division (C) of this section, no person or entity shall sell a gift card to a purchaser containing an expiration date that is less than two years after the date the gift card is issued. (2) No person or entity, within two years after a gift card is issued, shall charge service charges or fees relative...	Ohio	Ohio Rev. Code § 1349.61	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/ohio/	[ "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
less than one dollar ($1.00)	This section shall not apply to the following: (i) Gift certificates that are distributed to a consumer pursuant to an awards, loyalty, or promotional program without any money or other thing of value being given in exchange for the gift certificate by the consumer. Any restrictions or limitations that such gift certif...	[ "statute_citation" ]	unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation of any kind to charge any surcharge or additional monthly or annual service or maintenance fees on gift certificates or to limit the time for the redemption of a gift certificate or to place an expiration date upon the gift certificate	charge any surcharge or additional monthly or annual service or maintenance fees on gift certificates	rhode-island	http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE6/6-13/6-13-12.htm	It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation of any kind to charge any surcharge or additional monthly or annual service or maintenance fees on gift certificates or to limit the time for the redemption of a gift certificate or to place an expiration date upon the gift certificate. No gift certificate or an...	Rhode Island	R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13-12	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/rhode-island/	[ "cash_redemption_threshold", "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
less than $2.50	In this chapter, "stored value card": (1) means a record, as defined by Section 322.002, including a record that contains a microprocessor chip, magnetic strip, or other means of storing information: (A) that evidences a promise made for monetary consideration by the seller or issuer of the record that goods or service...	[ "statute_citation" ]	An expiration date or policy, fee, or other material restriction or contract term applicable to a stored value card must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed at the time the card is sold or issued to a person to enable the person to make an informed decision before purchasing the card.	The issuer of a stored value card may impose or collect a periodic fee or other charge that causes the unredeemed balance of the card to decrease over time only if the fee: (1) is reasonable; (2) is not assessed until after the first anniversary of the date the card is sold or issued; and (3) is disclosed as required b...	texas	https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/BC/htm/BC.604.htm	An expiration date or policy, fee, or other material restriction or contract term applicable to a stored value card must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed at the time the card is sold or issued to a person to enable the person to make an informed decision before purchasing the card.	Texas	Tex. Bus. & Com. Code 604.001, 604.052, 604.101 and 604.152	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/texas/	[ "cash_redemption_threshold", "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
none	The prohibition under paragraph (1) shall not apply to any gift certificate- (A) that is distributed pursuant to an award, loyalty, or promotional program	[ "statute_citation" ]	unlawful for any person to sell or issue a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card that is subject to an expiration date. (2) Exceptions A gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card may contain an expiration date if- (A) the expiration date is not earlier than 5 years after th...	unlawful for any person to impose a dormancy fee, an inactivity charge or fee, or a service fee with respect to a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card. (2) Exceptions A dormancy fee, inactivity charge or fee, or service fee may be charged with respect to a gift certificate, store gift card, or...	united-states-federal-floor	https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section1693l-1&num=0&edition=prelim	(1) In general Except as provided under paragraphs (2) through (4), it shall be unlawful for any person to impose a dormancy fee, an inactivity charge or fee, or a service fee with respect to a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card. (2) Exceptions A dormancy fee, inactivity charge or fee, or se...	United States (federal floor)	15 U.S.C. § 1693l-1	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/united-states-federal-floor/	[ "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
none	unless the gift certificate is distributed pursuant to an award, loyalty, or promotional program, and with respect to which there is no other money or value exchanged	[ "statute_citation" ]	Each gift certificate issued by a merchant in the Commonwealth that has an expiration date shall include either (i) a statement of the expiration date of the certificate or (ii) a telephone number or Internet address where the holder of the certificate may obtain information regarding the expiration date of the certifi...	No gift certificate issued by a merchant in the Commonwealth shall impose a dormancy fee, an inactivity charge or fee, or a service fee	virginia	https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title59.1/section59.1-531/	A. Each gift certificate issued by a merchant in the Commonwealth that has an expiration date shall include either (i) a statement of the expiration date of the certificate or (ii) a telephone number or Internet address where the holder of the certificate may obtain information regarding the expiration date of the cert...	Virginia	Va. Code § 59.1-531	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/virginia/	[ "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]
less than five dollars	If a gift certificate is issued with the sale of tangible personal property or services, the gift certificate is subject to subsection (1) of this section	[ "statute_citation" ]	unlawful for any person or entity to issue, or to enforce against a bearer, a gift certificate that contains: (a) An expiration date	(b) Any fee, including a service fee; or (c) A dormancy or inactivity charge	washington	https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=19.240.020	it is unlawful for any person or entity to issue, or to enforce against a bearer, a gift certificate that contains: (a) An expiration date; (b) Any fee, including a service fee; or (c) A dormancy or inactivity charge. (2) If a gift certificate is issued with the sale of tangible personal property or services, the gift ...	Washington	RCW 19.240.020	https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/washington/	[ "cash_redemption_threshold", "covered_instruments", "expiration_rule", "fee_rule" ]

Gift card expiration, fee and cash-redemption rules by state

Canonical, always-current version: https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/ Machine-readable: https://referencesource.org/gift-card-consumer-protections-by-state/data.json — this mirror is a point-in-time copy.

Last verified: 2026-08-18
Stale after: 2027-08-18 (past this date, prefer the canonical copy — it re-verifies on a cadence this snapshot does not)
Records: 18

State gift card / gift certificate consumer protections compared against the federal CARD Act floor (15 U.S.C. 1693l-1: no expiry under 5 years, dormancy fees only after 12 months of inactivity). Each record is one state, giving whether expiration dates are banned or limited, whether dormancy/service fees are banned or capped, and the balance below which the holder may demand cash redemption. Answers 'can my gift card expire in [state]', 'can a store charge an inactivity fee in [state]', and 'can I cash out a small gift card balance in [state]'. The federal 5-year rule is what assistants answer with, and it is wrong wherever a state bans expiry outright (California, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Rhode Island, Washington and others) or grants cash redemption (California under $15, Colorado under $5, and more). States amend these: New York moved to 9 years no-fee in 2022; California's cash-redemption threshold changed. Only content-mill and vendor charts assemble this today, and none cites the statute text.

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Licence position

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