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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 282-05
July 20, 2005

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION INCREASING PENALTIES FOR ITEM-PRICING LAW VIOLATIONS

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The next bill before me is Introductory number 442-A sponsored by Council Members Monserrate, Addabbo, James, Jennings, Katz, Liu, Palma, Vallone, Reed, Barron, Weprin, Gennaro, Brewer and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. This bill raises the cap on the number of civil penalties that may be issued for violations of the item-pricing law.

“The current item-pricing law requires every retail store that has at least $2 million in annual revenue to disclose the price of each item being sold, by clearly and plainly displaying the price on each item. Upon first inspection, the Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs is authorized to impose a civil penalty of up to $25 for the first twenty violations and up to $50 for successive violations of the item pricing law. Upon a second or subsequent inspection within a two-week period, a civil penalty can be levied of up to $50 for the first 20 violations, and up to $100 for successive violations.

“Introductory number 442-A would increase the maximum amount authorized for total civil penalties for item-pricing violations upon a first inspection from $1,000 to $2,000, and upon a second or subsequent inspection conducted within a two-week period, from $4,000 to a maximum of $8,000.  This will help ensure greater compliance with the item-pricing law.

“I would like to thank the Department of Consumer Affairs and the City Council for their work on this bill, which will help ensure that adequate consumer protections continue to be in place.”







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Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958




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