State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s bill that will protect a deceased person’s family or estate from being charged early termination fees when canceling certain service contracts and vehicle leases has passed the Pennsylvania Senate and is now headed to the governor’s desk.
“Death shouldn’t come with fees, and companies shouldn’t be making money off a customer’s death.” Ciresi said. “It’s hard enough to lose a family member, but it is just salt in the wound for a grieving relative to have to pay an early termination fee because the customer has died. My legislation, which will hopefully become law soon, would prohibit cable, phone, telecommunications, utility, and other companies from imposing early termination fees on a recently deceased person’s family for services that would no longer be used.”
Once signed into law, bill will require that written notice along with a copy of a death certificate be provided to end such leases or contracts without financial penalty.
Ciresi has championed the legislation in previous sessions.
This session, the bill had 24 co-sponsors, including both Democrats and Republicans. Ciresi said he was grateful to his colleagues for their support of this bill to provide additional protections for consumers.
“This legislation will help Pennsylvania families by removing one less hassle during their time of grief as they try to settle their loved one’s estate,” Ciresi said.
