May. 03, 2016
HARRISBURG – Legislation that would help make household moving safer for everyone involved has passed the state House of Representatives, according to its sponsor, Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks).
House Bill 1769 would help better protect consumers in Pennsylvania by applying criminal penalties to household goods movers who fail to register with the Public Utility Commission (PUC). In addition to this registration, state law currently requires household goods movers to maintain workers compensation insurance, pay the proper taxes to the Department of Revenue, and maintain liability insurance and insurance coverage on the goods being moved.
“It is my understanding that there are numerous ‘rogue’ movers who operate within the Commonwealth and advertise themselves as legal household goods movers on websites such as Craig’s List,” Day said. “By flying under the regulatory radar, this type of behavior is dangerous and misleading to consumers because they do not carry the proper credentials or insurance needed to protect consumers and their property.”
Under Day’s proposal, movers who fail to meet the requirements and are convicted would be guilty of a third-degree misdemeanor and face a $5,000 fine and a $10,000 fine for a second or subsequent offense.
In addition to those penalties, convicted movers may be subjected to a suspension of the registration of the unapproved moving vehicle and/or confiscation and impoundment of the vehicle used in violation of the law.
All costs, fines and penalties collected would be distributed to the PUC for motor carrier enforcement.
The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Gary Day
187th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
RepGaryDay.com /
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