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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	December 4, 2020 11:12 AM
From:	Senator David G. Argall
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Anti-Hoarding for the Duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, many Pennsylvanians have been diligent in their adherence to social distancing and shelter in place guidelines as well as respectful of those of us who are the most vulnerable in this trying time.    However, we have all seen the stories of people hoarding essential items, and even attempting to resell these items with a huge mark-up to take advantage of the crisis.  Many of those who are attempting to profit in this manner recognize that if they are unable to sell the products they purchase, they can return them with no financial consequences.  These actions have created temporary shortages of groceries and paper and cleaning supplies, and create even more worry for our seniors and other vulnerable populations.  Also, there is always the chance that these items, when returned, could carry with them the COVID-19 virus, which would put both grocery store workers and other shoppers in even more danger of being exposed to the virus. In order to dissuade hoarding and to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus by way of grocery items, I will be re-introducing legislation that would prohibit the return of grocery items during the current state of emergency declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and for 30 days thereafter. Grocery stores would carry the sole discretion of accepting returned items that may have been unsafe or otherwise defective at the time of sale, but those items would not be eligible for resale. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to help keep all of us safe and healthy in these uncertain times.

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