Senator Casey Supports Blumenthal’s Gift Card Protection Act (Dec. 13, 2012)
Dec. 13, 2012
U.S. Sen. Robert Casey (D-Pa.) this week announced his support of the Gift Card Consumer Protection Act, which would prohibit expiration dates and dormancy, inactivity and service fees on gift certificates, store gift cards and general-use prepaid cards. The bill (US S 3636) also aims to prevent companies filing for bankruptcy from selling gift cards and would require them to honor unredeemed gift cards. In addition, the measure would prevent loyalty, promotion and award cards from expiring. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced the legislation on Nov. 26 and it was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
“Gift cards are popular holiday gifts but too often unfair practices like hidden fees and expiration dates take advantage of Pennsylvania families,” said Casey, who is co-sponsor of the bill with Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-Conn.). “Over time many of these cards may lose their value or may come with hidden fees. Sometimes companies on the verge of bankruptcy continue to issue cards that they can never honor. That’s simply unacceptable.”
