Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., chairman of the Senate's Consumer Protection Committee, sponsored legislation that would prohibit rental car companies from overcharging consumers to refill cars that are returned with less than a full tank of gas. The New York Senate unanimously passed the proposal during a recent legislative session.

"Current law permits rental companies to impose refueling charges when a vehicle is brought back with less gas than it had at the beginning of the rental. However, many companies often charge consumers considerably more for gas than the retail price at self service stations in the area. That is wrong," said Fuschillo. "My legislation would set limits on this practice and ensure that consumers do not fall victim to this type of price gouging."

The legislation would allow rental car companies to continue imposing refueling charges, but it would cap additional charges at 5 percent more than the average retail price for gas in the regional area. Companies must also charge consumers for the amount of fuel used, rather than by any other method. Companies that disclose their fuel charge policies to each customer prior to the rental would be exempt from these requirements.

The legislation was sent to the Assembly.

Senator Fuschillo recently sponsored legislation, which passed the State Senate, that designates May 15 to June 15 "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in New York State.

"This awareness month will enhance public knowledge about Tourette Syndrome and increase the likelihood of early diagnosis and intervention," said Fuschillo. "It is also intended to recognize the many dedicated people hard at work to advance treatment and find a cure for this disorder."

Tourette Syndrome is an inherited, neurological disorder characterized by repeated, involuntary body movements (tics) and uncontrollable vocal sounds. In a minority of cases, the vocalizations can include socially inappropriate words and phrases. The syndrome is named after George Gilles de la Tourette, a French neuropsychiatrist who successfully assessed the disorder in the late 1800s.

For more information about Tourette Syndrome, you can call the Tourette Syndrome Association at 718-224-2999 or visit them online at www.tsa-usa.org.