Since March 2020, America’s attorneys general have been integral to their state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. From addressing open government issues to issuing legal opinions on quarantines and mask mandates, attorneys general are on the front lines of addressing their constituents’ most pressing pandemic-related concerns.
Some of the many pandemic-related services provided by attorneys general include consumer protection and federal advocacy.
Consumer Protection
Attorneys general are protecting consumers from fraud, scams, and price gouging. Read more from the New York Times.
Most attorneys general have gathered and promoted COVID-19 resources for their state’s residents. Some examples are below.
Advocacy
Attorneys general have come together in support of federal policies and legislation on issues such as protecting consumers, providing benefits for first responders and their families, and protecting victims of elder fraud.
Recent COVID-19 related policy letters:
Current Status of COVID-19 Vaccines Rollout Nationwide: July 2022 Update for the Attorney General Community
On July 13, the U.S. reached over 222.6 million persons (67.1% of the total U.S. population) having received their primary…
Current Status of COVID-19 Vaccines Rollout Nationwide: June 2022 Update for the Attorney General Community
On June 17, the U.S. reached nearly 221.9 million persons (66.8% of the total U.S. population) having received their primary…
Current Status of COVID-19 Vaccines Rollout Nationwide: May 2022 Update for the Attorney General Community
On May 16, the U.S. reached nearly 220.6 million persons (66.4% of the total U.S. population) having received their primary…
NAAG Support During the Pandemic
Since the beginning of March, NAAG has provided information, resources, and training to help state and territory attorney general offices combat the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These services have included over two dozen webinars and a dedicated members-only resource site.
NAAG has conducted 37 webinars on COVID-19 related topics, including:
- Price gouging and scams
- Open meetings and open records
- Continuity of Operations: Courts
- Prosecuting COVID-19 related crimes
NAAG’s ConsumerResources.org, a national hub of consumer protection information and resources, has a dedicated page highlighting actions attorneys general have taken to protect consumers during the pandemic. It also includes valuable resources for consumers, including:
- How to file a complaint
- Relief payment debit card information
- Contact tracing information
- Warning advice for consumers
- Status of relief payments
- Price gouging statutes by state
