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PRINTER'S NO. 60
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
84
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, COSTA, TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES, SCHWANK AND
RAFFERTY, JANUARY 14, 2015
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
JANUARY 14, 2015
AN ACT
Imposing limitations on credit blocking by the retail industry
and providers of travel services; establishing a ceiling
amount on the amount of credit allowed to block; prescribing
a fixed time period to block a certain amount in a consumer's
account or line of credit; and providing for enforcement.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Credit
Blocking Regulation Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Credit blocking." The process by which merchants in the
retail industry or providers of travel services block a portion
of a consumer's account or line of credit for a fixed period of
time when a consumer makes a purchase on that consumer's debit
or credit card in order to ensure payment.
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"Provider" or "provider of travel services." A person, firm
or corporation engaged in the business of furnishing travel
services.
"Travel services." Public transportation, public
accommodations in hotels, motels or motor courts, rental of
motor vehicles or any other service related to travel or
vacations.
Section 3. Ceiling amount.
It shall be unlawful for a merchant in the retail industry or
provider of travel services to impose a credit block on a
consumer's account or line of credit that is greater than 20% of
the consumer's actual purchase on that consumer's debit or
credit card.
Section 4. Time period.
It shall be unlawful for a merchant in the retail industry or
provider of travel services to impose a credit block on a
portion of a consumer's account or line of credit for a period
longer than 72 hours after the actual transaction or purchase.
Section 5. Notification.
A merchant in the retail industry or provider of travel
services that imposes a credit block of any amount above the
purchase price of goods or travel services purchased by
consumers shall notify the consumer prior to purchase of the use
of credit blocking for purchases by verbal notification or by a
clearly visible written notification displayed in a public
location.
Section 6. Enforcement.
A violation of this act shall be deemed to be a violation of
the act of December 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387), known as the
Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
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Section 7. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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