Thank you, Jeanne Passarelli, for your letter “We need new rules for our legislators” (July 10, TribLIVE). A specific case on point: The civil penalties section of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law has never been updated since it was passed and made effective in 1968. It allows consumers to sue wrongdoers for the amount of their damages or $100, whichever is greater. $100 in 1968 was a much greater amount of money and went further than $100 does in 2022.
State Rep. Tony DeLuca has sponsored House Bill 761 which would raise the penalty to $500. This legislation would not impact the state budget and would not cost any taxpayer even one penny. The only people impacted are persons or businesses that have violated the law and have been found guilty in court.
HB 761 passed out of the House Consumer Affairs Committee on a unanimous, bipartisan vote. In the House, it was “laid on the table.” In other words, put aside without a vote. No one with a modicum of common sense would be opposed to HB 761. Why won’t the House vote on it? Who is holding it up and why?
Ms. Passarelli, I agree with you! It is past time for our legislators to represent us, we the people, and do the job we elected them to do.
Mary Bach
Murrysville
The writer is a consumer advocate.