Legislative Intent

The Legislature declares that the public health, welfare and interest require a strong and effective consumer protection program to protect the interest of both the consumer public and legitimate businessman. The Legislature further declares that the government advances the interest of consumers by facilitating the proper functioning of the free enterprise market economy through:

(a)educating and informing the consumer to insure rational consumer choice in the marketplace;

(b)protecting the consumer from the sale of goods and services through the use of deceptive methods, acts, or practices which are inimical to the general welfare of consumers; COL120106 CH. 31 CONSUMER COUNSEL

(c)fostering competition;

(d)promoting effective representation of consumers’ interests in all branches and levels of government. Towards these ends, a permanent Office of Consumer Counsel is created within [the Department of Law] to coordinate boards, departments, and agencies, together with private organizations, to aid in the development of preventive and remedial programs affecting the interests of the consumer public, and to vigorously prosecute those who violate the consumer protection laws of the territory.