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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 31, 2021 01:55 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Carol Hill-Evans |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Strengthening Protections Against Price Gouging |
| Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, every Pennsylvanian has faced numerous challenges, but price gouging should not be one of them. During an emergency disaster, we must ensure fairness for all consumers by preventing them from being forced to pay overly inflated costs or fees for crucial goods and services. I will be introducing legislation that strengthens protections against price gouging in Pennsylvania. First, current provisions in the Price Gouging Act will be extended to cover periods of disruption caused by disease. These provisions will also be expanded to apply to housing rental rates and fees charged by contractors performing clean-up services after a disaster. Additionally, private citizens and district attorneys will gain the ability to file civil actions for violations of this act, which currently only the Attorney General may do. There have been numerous examples nationwide of companies exploiting desperate people during emergencies by charging excessively high prices, simply because they can. They must be held accountable when they take advantage of people during their time of greatest need. Unfortunately, we do not know when the next disaster will strike, but we must remain firmly committed to standing up for citizens and be prepared to prevent price gouging. I hope you will join me in guaranteeing fairness for all consumers and protecting renters from drastically inflated costs during an emergency. |
Introduced as HB2131