In Pennsylvania consumers pick the supply company they want to provide their electricity and natural gas. This allows consumers to shop for the best price with the terms that work best for them. Far too often individuals take advantage of consumers and change their utility supplier without the consumer’s knowledge. This deceptive practice, commonly known as "slamming” involves switching a consumer's electric service to a different supplier without their consent, often resulting in higher rates and unexpected charges. "Slamming" is a serious problem that affects vulnerable consumers, particularly seniors and low-income individuals. These deceptive practices undermine consumer choice and erode trust in the competitive electricity market. Current remedies in the Public Utility Code are insufficient to deter this fraudulent activity and they fail to provide adequate justice for victims.

In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to include the crime of unlawful change of consumer electric and natural gas suppliers in the Crimes Code. This will protect consumers and create a strong deterrent by sending a clear message that these practices will not be tolerated. It also does not preclude any administrative proceeding the PUC may engage in. This legislation increases penalties for those actors who repeatedly engage in this illegal behavior, and for those who target seniors or other care-dependent persons.

My legislation is necessary to protect consumers from financial harm and deceptive practices, restore consumer confidence in the competitive electricity market, hold these bad actors accountable for their actions, and provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to prosecute these crimes.

I urge you to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. By working together, we can protect Pennsylvania’s electric and natural gas consumers from the predatory practice of "slamming" and ensure a fair electricity market.