AUGUSTA – Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, introduced legislation before the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Committee on Tuesday that would strengthen consumer protection in Maine by making it illegal for companies to charge fees for paper billing and offer incentives for electronic billing.
Many banks and credit card companies have switched to offering e-statements and electronic bill payments as their default, instead of delivering bills by mail. With this change, some companies now charge up to $5 a month for paper billing.
“No Mainer should ever have to pay extra for a print copy of their bank or credit card statement,” said Crafts. “Tacking on fees for paper statements takes a simple business expense and shifts it onto consumers, many of whom can’t afford it. Given that Maine is ranked 40th in the country for internet speed and availability and is the oldest state in the nation, we have a responsibility to stop practices that unfairly target older, rural Mainers.”
Both New York and Pennsylvania have passed similar legislation banning companies from charging fees for paper statements.
The Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee will hold a work session on this bill in the coming weeks.
Rep. Crafts is serving her third term in the Maine House and represents Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro and Monhegan Plantation. She serves as House chair of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee.