Give franchise owners a private right of action for FTC Franchise Rule violations.

The Franchisee Freedom Act will explicitly give franchise owners private right of action on FTC Franchise Rule violations.

Introduced legislation to let franchise owners sue over FTC Franchise Rule violations.

Consumer Protection | Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
primary · campaign_site · model gpt-5.4-mini

To provide a private right of action for persons harmed by violations of the Franchise Rule of the Federal Trade Commission.

Introduced legislation to let people harmed by Franchise Rule violations sue for damages and equitable relief.

H.R.4614 Introduced in House - Franchisee Freedom Act
secondary · other · model gpt-5.4-mini

Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky as sponsor, introduced H.R.4614 - Franchisee Freedom Act on 07/22/2025.

She sponsored and introduced the Franchisee Freedom Act in the 119th Congress.

H.R.4614 - Franchisee Freedom Act, All Information, 119th Congress
secondary · other · model gpt-5.4-mini

Congress.gov lists H.R.4614 with Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky as sponsor, introduced 07/22/2025. Latest action: referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. The bill status is Introduced, with later status steps still listed as Passed House, Passed Senate, To President, and Became Law.

Schakowsky introduced a current Congress bill matching the promise, but it had not advanced beyond introduction/referral, so the private right of action had not been enacted as of the assessment date.

never same_term A for effort

H.R.4614 - Franchisee Freedom Act, All Information, 119th Congress
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 96%

The introduced bill text states its purpose is to provide a private right of action for persons harmed by violations of the FTC Franchise Rule. Section 2 would make violators of 16 CFR part 436 liable for actual damages, equitable relief including rescission, and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

The bill text is directly responsive to the promise, showing concrete legislative effort by Schakowsky, but it is only introduced bill text and not enacted law.

never same_term A for effort

H.R.4614 Introduced in House - Franchisee Freedom Act
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 95%

Congress.gov lists H.R.10311 as sponsored by Rep. Schakowsky and introduced 12/05/2024. Official title: to provide a private right of action for persons harmed by violations of the FTC Franchise Rule. Latest action: referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Status: Introduced.

Schakowsky previously reintroduced the same proposal in the 118th Congress, but it remained only introduced and referred, indicating effort without fulfillment.

never unknown A for effort

H.R.10311 - Franchisee Freedom Act, All Information, 118th Congress
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 94%

Congress.gov lists H.R.6551 as sponsored by Rep. Schakowsky, introduced 02/01/2022, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Latest action on 11/01/2022 was referral to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Status: Introduced. Congress.gov summary says the bill creates a private right of action for individuals harmed by FTC Franchise Rule violations.

An earlier Schakowsky bill also matched the promise but died without passage, supporting failure with a clear effort badge.

never unknown A for effort

H.R.6551 - Private Right of Action for FTC Franchise Rule Violations, All Information, 117th Congress
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 94%

The FTC prepared statement says the agency reminded franchisees that although the Franchise Rule does not provide for a private right of action, nothing in the Rule precludes franchisees from exercising their rights under the law.

Official FTC testimony confirms the baseline problem remained: the Franchise Rule itself did not provide a private right of action. Schakowsky's legislation had not changed that by enactment.

never unknown

Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission, House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 93%