Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 42 states and territories to urge the FDA to preserve state consumer protection authorities for over-the-counter hearing aids, concerned that the proposed rule could preempt state laws and lack adequate age verification and labeling requirements.
In-house legal teams should review vendor and customer agreements with hearing aid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Focus on clauses addressing compliance with consumer protection laws, warranties, returns, advertising restrictions, and professional licensing requirements. Ensure agreements do not contain broad preemption language that could waive state law applicability due to the FDA's proposed rule. May need to add provisions explicitly preserving state consumer protections or clarifying that federal OTC hearing aid regulations do not override state-specific requirements for warranties, returns, advertising, or age verification.
Entity
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Also known as: FDA
Industry
HealthcareOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2022-press-releases/ag-tong-urges-fda-to-preserve-state-regulation-of-otc-hearing-aids
naag final letter hearing aids.pdf?rev=840185f7b5844725b260e
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2021/naag---final-letter-hearing-aids.pdf?rev=840185f7b5844725b260ea312ebc9cc2&hash=F1945E937484FCD025B2F7EF50CC56CF
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing the EPA over its repeal of greenhouse gas pollution limits for power plants and separately filed a notice of intent to sue over regulation of existing gas plants. The coalition asks the court to overturn the repeal and restore the protections; the release reports no monetary penalty or final order.
$400.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. resolving allegations that the generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices, limit competition, and restrain trade. The settlement includes consumer restitution and injunctive reforms; court approval was being sought.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a DHS rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to removal proceedings without an asylum officer interview. The coalition argues the rule violates federal law and harms asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children; this was a policy opposition letter, not a privacy enforcement action.
Connecticut and Massachusetts co-led a coalition protest urging FERC to reject the proposed NextEra Energy-Dominion Energy merger. The coalition argued that the merger could increase market power and threaten energy affordability, reliability, and competition; the release does not report a final enforcement decision or penalty.
Connecticut officials warned residents about potential home improvement scams before an approaching nor’easter, including unlicensed contractors, high-pressure sales tactics, and demands for full payment upfront. The release provides consumer guidance on checking contractors and contract requirements; it does not announce an enforcement action or penalty against a named entity.