CONSUMER STATEMENTS PROTECTED

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a contract or a proposed contract for the sale or lease of consumer merchandise or services may not include a provision waiving the consumer's right to make any statement regarding the seller or lessor or the employees or agents of the seller or lessor or concerning the merchandise or services. Makes it an unlawful practice to threaten or to seek to enforce a provision made unlawful by the new provisions or to otherwise penalize a consumer for making a protected statement. Provides that a waiver of the new provisions is contrary to public policy and is void and unenforceable. Provides that the new provisions may not be construed to prohibit or limit a person or business that hosts online consumer reviews or comments from removing a statement that is otherwise lawful to remove.