HB 128: Fair Business Practices Act of 1975; prohibit vehicle rental companies from refusing to rent or lease to individuals over the age of 25

Under current Georgia law, rental car companies can set their own age-based rental policies, sometimes charging extra fees or refusing service to renters based on age even when they are adults. HB128 would add a new section to Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act of 1975 (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.20) making it an unlawful unfair or deceptive trade practice for a motor vehicle rental company to refuse to rent a vehicle to someone 25 or older solely because of their age. The protection only applies if the renter holds a valid driver's license and either already has, or can obtain, an insurance policy meeting Georgia's minimum required coverage. The bill defines 'motor vehicle rental company' and 'rental agreement' and specifically excludes peer-to-peer car-sharing arrangements from these new rules. Violators would face the penalties already set out elsewhere in the Fair Business Practices Act.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.20) making it illegal for rental car companies to refuse to rent to someone 25 or older based solely on age.
• Requires that the individual hold a valid driver's license and have or be able to obtain insurance meeting Georgia's minimum coverage requirements to qualify for this protection.
• Defines 'motor vehicle rental company' and 'rental agreement' and excludes peer-to-peer car-sharing arrangements from the new rule.
• Makes violations subject to the existing penalties under the Fair Business Practices Act of 1975.

Motor vehicle rental companies operating in Georgia, and individuals age 25 or older who want to rent a car and hold a valid driver's license and adequate insurance. Peer-to-peer car-sharing services and their users are explicitly excluded from these rules.

Renters 25 and older who meet licensing and insurance requirements could no longer be turned away by a rental company simply because of their age, potentially affecting travelers, business renters, and others who currently face age-based rental restrictions or refusals in Georgia.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 10-1-393.20 to Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act of 1975 addressing motor vehicle rental age discrimination.
• Subsection (a) defines 'motor vehicle rental company,' 'peer-to-peer car-sharing' (by reference to O.C.G.A. § 40-1-220), and 'rental agreement' as covering rentals of 90 days or less.
• Subsection (b) prohibits refusing to rent to someone 25 or older based solely on age, conditioned on a valid driver's license and available minimum insurance coverage.
• Subsection (c) states that violators are subject to the penalties already established elsewhere in the Fair Business Practices Act.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-01-29House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-01-28House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-27House Hopper (House)

• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)Primary sponsor
• Martin Momtahan (R, HD-017)

• car rentals
• consumer protection
• age discrimination
• Fair Business Practices Act