OKLAHOMA CITY - Legislation by Rep. Stacy Adams, R-Duncan, to strengthen protections for homeowners who are approached at their residence for home repair work following storms has passed unanimously in policy committee and now heads to oversight committee.

House Bill 3790, titled the Oklahoma Homeowner Repair Contract Protection Act, would establish a five-day cancellation period for certain home repair contracts entered into through in-person solicitation at a homeowner’s residence.

"The intent is to protect Oklahomans from high-pressure tactics that sometimes follow severe storms," Adams said. "When a contractor shows up right after a storm, families are already stressed and trying to assess damage. They should not feel bullied into signing a contract on the spot. This gives them five days to step back, review their options and make the best decision for their home and their finances."

Under the measure, homeowners would have until midnight of the fifth calendar day after signing a home solicitation contract to cancel the agreement for any reason. Cancellation would be effective once written notice is delivered or mailed to the contractor at the address listed in the contract. The notice would not require specific language, only a clear written expression of the homeowner’s intent not to be bound by the agreement.

The bill applies to contracts that result from door-to-door or in-home sales initiated by a contractor or someone acting on the contractor’s behalf. It does not apply to homeowner-initiated contact, advertising, prior negotiations at a fixed business location or existing contractual relationships.

Adams said the measure is designed to prevent rushed decisions during vulnerable moments, not to penalize reputable contractors. She said House Bill 3790 would protect homeowners from fraud and high-pressure sales tactics while providing contractors with clear, consistent guidelines on cancellation rights.

"We are grateful for qualified roofers and contractors who work long hours to help communities recover after a storm," she said. "What we cannot accept is seeing families taken advantage of when they are at their lowest."

With homeowners' insurance premiums on the rise, Adams noted many families are already carrying higher deductibles to keep coverage affordable. After a storm, the question of how to pay for a new roof can weigh heavily on a household.

"Families are asking themselves how they will cover a deductible that may be thousands of dollars," Adams said. "They do not need workers chasing a quick payday and pressuring them into work they may not need."

Adams goes on to note that the measure creates a reasonable "cooling-off" period that balances consumer protection with legitimate business operations.

The Oklahoma Homeowner Repair Contract Protection Act passed the House Civil Judiciary Committee with a 9-0 vote and now advances to the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee.