By Bob Katzen

Attorney General Maura Healey has filed an emergency regulation to prohibit price gouging of essential products and services during the COVID-19. The regulation prohibits price gouging of goods and services necessary for public health and safety during a declared statewide or national emergency. Prior to this regulation, price gouging was banned only for the sale of gas and petroleum product under the state’s consumer protection law.

“We’ve heard from hospitals and consumers about skyrocketing prices for things like hand sanitizer, face masks and other essential gear needed to prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus and keep our front-line workers safe,” said Healey. That’s unacceptable and illegal. We issued this emergency regulation because no one should be exploiting this crisis and putting the public at risk.”