The Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is a regulatory agency charged with protecting the public from marketplace fraud and physical injury through licensure, inspection, investigation, enforcement, and public education in six major areas: food and standards; drugs, cosmetics and medical devices; alcoholic liquor; occupational and professional licensing; trade practices; and management services.

One consumer-related question constituents often ask me is how to discourage unwanted telephone solicitations. Connecticut was one of the first in the nation to enact Do Not Call legislation in 2001. Because of the success of our program, and others, the federal government established the National Do Not Call registry in 2003. Connecticut residents can be placed on this list by calling toll free 1-888-382-1222 or by visiting www.donotcall.gov. Connecticut residents can report Do Not Call violations to the state Department of Consumer Protection or to the National Do Not Call Registry.

This year, the General Assembly updated two important consumer-related laws, one dealing with charitable solicitations, and one dealing with gift cards. The new Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act is intended to provide the public with information regarding the financial and program activities of charitable organizations that seek public support, and to better enable the state to detect and prosecute those who abuse the public’s trust. Among other things, the new law requires charities to register with the state annually, instead of just once.

In addition, the General Assembly passed legislation updating state law regarding gift cards and gift certificates. You may remember that we passed legislation two years ago to eliminate the expiration date on gift cards and gift certificates. However, the State Treasurer has treated unused gift cards and gift certificates as “unclaimed property” that defaulted to the state after three years. The new law, which I co-sponsored, will prevent the value of gift cards and gift certificates from defaulting to the state. It takes affect October 1, 2005.

Home Improvements is another area where the Department of Consumer Protection can assist you. State Law requires that a Home Improvement Contractor must be registered with the DCP if he or she is performing remodeling or alterations to a single-family residence or property not consisting of more than six units and the price of the repair/service exceeds $200. Contractors must have their DCP registration number, name and address on all contracts and advertisements. Contracts must be in writing and contain a starting and ending date, a 3 day cancellation notice and must be entered into by a registered contractor or salesman. The penalty of not being registered may be criminal arrest and/or civil penalties. Homeowners are encouraged to deal ONLY with registered contractors in order to have access to the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund should disputes or problems with a contractor arise. You can call the Department of Consumer Protection to determine whether the prospective contractor is indeed registered. You can reach them at 1-800-842-2649 or check their on-line database of contractors at www.ct.gov/dcp.

A great deal of information is readily available on the DCP website at www.ct.gov/dcp. The website makes available a variety of complaint forms, directions to its office in Hartford, and both phone and e-mail address of agency contacts. Or, consumers may prefer to call the agency directly at 860-713-6050. Other useful agency phone numbers include: Consumer Information and Complaints, 860-713-6300; TDD, 860-713-7240; and Drug Control Unit, 860-713-6065.

If you are interested in knowing more about these, and other, issues addressed by the General Assembly, I encourage you to visit out website at www.cga.ct.gov.. Of course, you can always call me at the Capitol at 1-800-842-1421 or send me an e-mail at Catherine.Cook@cga.ct.gov.