S2551
An Act relative to fairness in debt collection
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to improve fairness and transparency in the debt collection process in Massachusetts. It establishes specific requirements for debt collectors, including limitations on communication methods and restrictions on certain collection practices. The bill also seeks to provide consumers with greater access to information about their debts and the ability to dispute inaccuracies. Ultimately, the goal is to protect vulnerable consumers from abusive debt collection tactics.
Key provisions
- Limits on debt collector communication, restricting calls before 8 AM and after 9 PM.
- Requires debt collectors to provide consumers with detailed information about their debts.
- Prohibits debt collectors from using deceptive or misleading practices.
- Establishes a process for consumers to dispute inaccurate debt information.
- Requires debt collectors to obtain proper authorization before attempting to collect a debt.
- Creates a registry of debt collectors subject to the bill’s provisions.
- Provides for increased penalties for violations of the law.
- Addresses the collection of debts on behalf of third parties.
Who is affected
- Debt collectors
- Consumers in Massachusetts
- Debt collection agencies
- Financial institutions
- Massachusetts residents
Notable changes
- The bill substitutes for S.2537 and S.2559, indicating revisions to the original proposals.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Senate Committee on Ways and Means
Cosponsors
James B. Eldridge
Joan B. Lovely
Michael J. Barrett
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Bill S.2551 194th (Current)
An Act relative to fairness in debt collection
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Senate Committee on Ways and Means
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Bill History Amendments Cosponsors
Bill History
Displaying 8 actions for Bill S.2551
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 7/10/2025 | Senate | Reported form the committee on Senate Ways and Means |
| 7/10/2025 | Senate | Recommended new draft for S2537 |
| 7/10/2025 | Senate | Order relative to subject matter adopted |
| 7/17/2025 | Senate | Amendment #1 (Rodrigues) adopted |
| 7/17/2025 | Senate | Substituted, as amended, for S2537 |
| 7/17/2025 | Senate | Ordered to a third reading |
| 7/17/2025 | Senate | Read third |
| 7/17/2025 | Senate | Reprinted, as amended, see S2559 |
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