Metzger Co-Sponsors Legislation Thwarting Price Gouging Amid Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic

Hudson Valley and Catskills, NY…Senator Jen Metzger (SD-42) joins lawmakers in thwarting bad-faith businesses looking to make a profit off the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis by supporting new legislation (S7932) that would crack down on price gouging of consumer medical supplies that New Yorkers need to stay safe.

“At a time when the most vulnerable in our communities are at risk, it is absolutely shameful to hike up prices for goods that can help prevent illness and save lives," said Senator Metzger. "This legislation is intended to prevent unscrupulous businesses from profiting at the expense of public health.” Online retailers often do not closely monitor individual sellers’ price points on their platforms, and there is concern that gouging already taking place on sites like eBay and Amazon is also occurring in small stores throughout the state. 

The new legislation would curb price gouging during public health emergencies by strengthening New York’s existing price gouging statute to create a presumption that any price increase of greater than 10 percent during a public health emergency began is illicit price gouging. The New York Attorney General would be able to penalize retailers, manufacturers, and distributors who raise prices on consumer medical supplies, and enforce a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for anyone proven to have participated in price gouging.