<\/p>\n
WILKES-BARRE \u2014 During National Consumer Protection Week \u2014 March 2 through March 6 \u2014 Attorney General Dave Sunday is highlighting efforts from his office over the past year to protect, assist, and inform consumers across the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n
In addition to the highlights and help avenues offered here, the AG\u2019s office will be sharing consumer protection tips on social media throughout the week for purchasing a vehicle and protecting yourself from scams, along with examples of our Bureau of Consumer Protection\u2019s work this past year, and information about our office\u2019s Civil Rights Enforcement and Health Care Sections.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the core functions of the Office of Attorney General is to protect Pennsylvania consumers,\u201d Sunday said. \u201cDuring National Consumer Protection Week, I want all Pennsylvanians to understand the resources available to empower them as buyers, or if they believe they may be a victim of fraud or other deceptive practices. Last year, our office helped consumers save and recover millions of dollars, and we will continue on that path in the months ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sunday highlighted a few of the consumer protection actions taken in the past year:<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Office of Attorney General obtained $6.6 million in a settlement with Mercedes-Benz over allegations that Mercedes-Benz USA did not comply with state laws on emissions testing. More than 39,000 vehicles were still unrepaired or removed from the roads as of 2021. As part of the settlement, impacted consumers will receive an extended warranty and $2,000 per impacted vehicle.<\/p>\n
\u2022 More than 43,000 patients impacted by the closure of Crozer Health System hospitals in Pennsylvania have free access to their medical records after the Office secured an agreement with Prospect Medical Holdings.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Office of Attorney General reached a settlement with Kia and Hyundai over sales of millions of vehicles nationwide that lacked industry-standard anti-theft technology. This settlement provided up to $4.5 million in restitution for eligible consumers.<\/p>\n
\u2022 A $1.55 million settlement was reached between the Office and Dollar General after the Office found that on numerous occasions, consumers were charged higher prices than posted when they checked out.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sunday led a coalition of 42 Attorneys General nationwide to call for stronger protections for those using chatbots (such as ChatGPT, Grok, or Replika) following several suicides of young teens and the death of several other people following their use of artificial intelligence chatbots.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Robocalls are a nuisance, and the Office continues to crack down on illegal robocallers through a national \u201cOperation Robocall Roundup\u201d initiative. This nationwide effort continues to work to reduce illegal robocalls reaching consumers across the United States.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sunday reached a settlement with Home365, a Las Vegas-based property management company, over their alleged failure to address Pennsylvania tenants\u2019 maintenance needs in a timely manner.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Office launched an Elder Exploitation Section \u2014 within its Criminal Division \u2013 to expand protections for older Pennsylvanians with a focus on preventing financial exploitation, deception, and theft from older residents.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Throughout the year, Sunday and his office have put out several warnings on scams as the Office becomes aware of these scams. Some scam warnings include warnings about government imposter scams (this year, consumers saw messages claiming to be from sheriffs, PennDOT, and municipal courts) and major event ticket scams.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The AG\u2019s Office of Public Engagement works to prevent Pennsylvanians from being scammed. The Office\u2019s Public Engagement Specialists delivered over 1,300 presentations to more than 125,000 residents across all 67 Pennsylvania counties.<\/p>\n
Pugh bill proposes tax credits <\/p>\n
To help struggling firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township, has introduced bipartisan legislation \u2014 House Bill 2235 \u2014 that would provide a financial incentive in the form of a tax credit to encourage individuals to join their local fire and EMS services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a severe shortage of paid and volunteer firefighters as well as a severe shortage of emergency medical service personnel,\u201d Pugh said. \u201cI believe a tax credit would go a long way to help entice individuals into these fields, as well as help retain the people already performing these critical duties.<\/p>\n
Pugh\u2019s legislation would provide a $6,000 tax credit per year for five years to fire and EMS personnel who currently serve in Pennsylvania and to those who move to our state to take up these positions.<\/p>\n
House Bill 2235 has been assigned to the House Finance Committee for consideration.<\/p>\n
$3M invested for free period products in schools<\/p>\n
The Departments of Health and Education this week announced that $3 million allocated in the 2025\/26 budget will be distributed to more than 750 Pennsylvania school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools to continue providing free period products to their students.<\/p>\n
Building on historic, first-time investments of $3 million over each of the past two years, Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s budget proposal for 2026\/27 includes another $3 million to help schools provide free period products for young women.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeriod products are a basic hygiene necessity for students \u2014 yet there are too many young girls across the Commonwealth who go to school worrying about whether they\u2019ll have access to pads or tampons during the school day,\u201d said First Lady of Pennsylvania Lori Shapiro. \u201cI am proud that this Administration continues to put Pennsylvania students at the forefront of our work by yet again ensuring that girls have reliable access to pads and tampons when they need them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The funding enables schools to provide students with free access to period products, in line with the Shapiro Administration\u2019s efforts to improve health equity.<\/p>\n
\u201cFree period products in Pennsylvania schools help ensure that more than 650,000 girls have peace of mind \u2014 so they can focus on their education,\u201d said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. \u201cThis is just the latest example of how the Shapiro Administration is ensuring students are prepared to learn without distractions or struggle.<\/p>\n
This program has become a vital source of funding for schools across the Commonwealth, taking one more burden off students\u2019 plates and ensuring they remain focused on learning.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor many students, worrying about access to period products is a quiet but very real barrier to learning,\u201d said Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. \u201cAccess to free period products in schools helps ensure that students do not miss class, leave school early, or carry unnecessary stress over something that should never stand in the way of their education.\u201d<\/p>\n
Applications and reimbursement requests will not be required. All qualifying school entities will receive funding proportional to the total number of students enrolled at a rate of $1.79 per student.<\/p>\n
Schools may use the funding for period product purchases made between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.<\/p>\n
School funding allocations for the 2025-26 Feminine Hygiene Product Grant Program\u2019s non-competitive, non-solicitation grants are available on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website. Schools can opt out of receiving grant funding. Any remaining funds following the first round of grant funding will be dispersed in a second round.<\/p>\n
Reach Bill O\u2019Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on X @TLBillOBoyle.<\/p>\n
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