Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 19.142 · 14 active provisions
The legislature finds that there exist in connection with a substantial number of contracts for health studio services certain practices and business methods which have worked undue financial hardship upon some of the citizens of the state and that existing legal remedies are inadequate to correct existing problems in…
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter:(1) "Business day" means any day except a Sunday or a legal holiday.(2) "Buyer" or "member" means a person who purchases health studio services.(3) "Health studio" includes any person or entity engaged in the sa…
(1) Each health studio shall prepare and provide to each prospective buyer a written comprehensive list of all membership plans of health studio services offered for sale by the health studio. The list shall contain a description and the respective price of each membership plan of health studio services offered.(2) A h…
A contract for the sale of health studio services shall be in writing. A copy of the contract, as well as the rules of the health studio if not stated in the contract, shall be given to the buyer when the buyer signs the contract.
A contract for health studio services shall include all of the following:(1) The name and address of the health studio facilities operator;(2) The date the buyer signed the contract;(3) A description of the health studio services and general equipment to be provided, or acknowledgment in a conspicuous form that the buy…
After receipt of a written notice of cancellation, the health studio shall provide a refund to the buyer within thirty days. The health studio may require the buyer to return any membership card or other materials which evidence membership in the health studio. The buyer is entitled to a refund and relief from future o…
(1) All moneys paid to a health studio prior to the opening of the facility shall immediately be deposited in a trust account of a federally insured financial institution located in this state. The trust account shall be designated and maintained for the benefit of health studio members. Moneys maintained in the trust…
The requirements of RCW 19.142.060 do not apply to any health studios which, prior to any preopening sales, have provided a bond guaranteeing the completion or opening of any facility for which contracts for health studio services were sold prior to the opening of the facility. The bond shall be drawn upon a surety in…
Failure to furnish a bond as required by RCW 19.142.070 or to maintain a trust account as required by RCW 19.142.060 shall constitute a class C felony punishable as provided in chapter 9A.20 RCW.
A health studio shall not request a buyer to waive any provision of this chapter. Any contract for health studio services which does not comply with the provisions of this chapter or in which a buyer waives any provision of this chapter is void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy.
A violation of this chapter constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice and is a per se violation of the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW.
Buyers who prevail in any cause of action under this chapter are entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees.
The provisions of this chapter are cumulative and nonexclusive and do not affect any other remedy available at law.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any contracts for health studio services entered into before July 26, 1987.