Kansas puts price-gouging law into effect after emergency declaration about coronavirus

Kansas’ price-gouging law was invoked Friday, one day after Gov. Laura Kelly declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Kansas anti-profiteering statute is rarely invoked but is designed to prevent opportunistic greed from overcoming the public need for necessary virus-response products and services during this time of emergency,” Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in a news release. “We take the law’s requirements seriously and will diligently investigate complaints and vigorously prosecute any violations.”

For items in demand because of the virus, the law prohibits price increases of 25% or more from the available price on March 11 or the “price for which the same goods or services are available from other sellers in the trade area.”

Some examples of consumer goods mentioned by the Attorney General’s Office include food items, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, emergency supplies, medical supplies, services and lodging. The law carries a penalty of up to $10,000 per violation, the release says.

The anti-profiteering law is enforced by the Attorney General’s Office and by county and district attorneys. It was triggered by Gov. Laura Kelly’s Thursday announcement declaring a state of emergency.

The law will stay in effect until April 11 or after the disaster declaration is lifted, whichever is later, the release says. Complaints about price gouging can be made to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-432-2310 or 785-0296-3751.

This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 11:44 AM with the headline "Kansas puts price-gouging law into effect after emergency declaration about coronavirus."