Legislators at the state and local levels pass laws or ordinances to protect consumers as well as to help consumers with problems or complaints. A public utilites commision regualtes the rates of public utilities in every state. The public utilities commission protects consumers from unfair prices a utility might charge.

Another protection for consumers comes from a state department sometimes called Weights and Measures or Divison of Standards. This agency is responsible for checking scales, packages, gasoline pumpes. and labels to insure true weights and measures. A short weight or measure of a product is less than the amount indicated by the sacle, package, or gasoline pump. Inspectors from the Department of Weights and Measures have the authority to remove the products from the market, if short weights are being givin on products.

State governments also work to protect the public from unfair marketplace practices. For example they may have laws regulating such matters as credit card interest. Most states regualte health care businesses.

States issuse licenses or permits through their Professional Regualation Department to guard against unqualified people practicing certain occupations and professions. A license gives a person the leagal right to conduct a business, or practice a profession. State licenses are required for hundreds of profesions. Some include physicians, architects, and teachers. Requirements for licensing vary with each occupation, or profession. Applicants may need technical training, advanced eductaion, internships, or a passing grade on an exam to qualitfy.

Lets review what we learned!

1.) What is a short weight? What agencies protect consumers against short weight?

2.) What is a professional license? How does it protect consumers?