An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in public utilities, providing for unlawful change of consumer electric or natural gas supplier.
HB 1079 makes it a crime to change a consumer's electric or natural gas supplier without their consent, protecting consumers from unauthorized service switches. The law imposes penalties: a first offense is a misdemeanor, while repeat offenses or cases involving vulnerable consumers (60+ years or care-dependent individuals) become felonies. Prosecution can be handled by local district attorneys or the Attorney General for multi-county or interstate cases, and this criminal law does not prevent the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from taking administrative action. The bill directly affects utility companies, suppliers, and consumers by adding criminal consequences for unauthorized service changes.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 1, 2025
Last action Apr 1, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Apr 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 1079
Scope: PA
Hi! I can help you understand HB 1079. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline