New law to protect Mainers from subscription and gym membership traps takes effect

AUGUSTA – A new law introduced by State Senator Tim Nangle, D–Windham, that would make it easier for Mainers to cancel subscription services and gym memberships that they no longer want, has gone into effect after being passed by the Maine Legislature earlier this year.

This new law will apply to subscriptions entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2026.

LD 1642, “An Act to Protect Maine Consumers by Simplifying Subscription and Health Club Membership Cancellations,” ensures that if a consumer can sign up for a subscription or gym membership online, they must also be allowed to cancel it online. The new law targets a growing problem in consumer protection: businesses that make enrollment easy, but make cancellation deliberately difficult.

“Too many companies count on confusion and delay to keep people locked into services they don’t want. This law cuts through that,” Nangle said. “If you can sign up online, you should be able to cancel online — no tricks, no runaround. Mainers deserve a system that’s honest, simple and puts them back in control of their own money. This is a win for transparency and fairness. As you’re entering into or renewing subscriptions in the new year remember that you can contact the Attorney General’s office if you believe these protections aren’t being implemented.”

The law strengthens Maine’s consumer protection law by requiring:

* Clear disclosure of subscription or membership terms before enrollment

* Affirmative consent before charging for automatic renewals

* Online cancellation using the same method as sign-up; and

* Advance notice before long-term renewals.

This new law also expands protections to cover health club memberships -- particularly those offered by for-profit gyms like Planet Fitness, which are among the most difficult subscriptions for consumers to cancel. Planet Fitness allows consumers to sign up in minutes online or through an app but requires them to go to a physical gym location in person to cancel. LD 1642 ends this practice by requiring that if someone can sign up online, they must be able to cancel online, too.

Consumers who believe the provisions of this law are not being followed for subscriptions entered into or renewed beginning in 2026 can contact the Maine Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at (207) 626-8849.

As non-emergency legislation, LD 1642 took effect on September 24, 2025, 90 days after the First Special Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourned. It was signed by Maine Gov. Janet Mills on June 20, 2025.

State Senator Nangle is serving his second term in the Maine Senate, representing Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Windham and part of Westbrook. He serves as Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee and sits on the Health and Human Services Committee. <