S2559
An Act relative to fairness in debt collection
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House
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Bill overview
This bill aims to improve fairness and transparency in the debt collection process in Massachusetts. It establishes specific rules for debt collectors, including limitations on communication methods and requirements for providing detailed information to debtors. The bill also seeks to protect vulnerable individuals from abusive debt collection practices and ensures debtors have clear pathways to dispute inaccuracies on their accounts.
Key provisions
- Debt collectors must provide debtors with a detailed accounting of the debt.
- Debt collectors are restricted from contacting debtors before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
- Debt collectors cannot use harassing or threatening language.
- Debt collectors must verify the debt's validity with the debtor.
- Debt collectors are prohibited from disclosing a debt to third parties.
- Debt collectors must provide debtors with information on how to request debt validation.
- The bill establishes a process for debtors to dispute inaccurate debt information.
Who is affected
- Debt collectors
- Debtors
- Consumers
- Massachusetts residents
- Individuals subject to debt collection activities
Notable changes
- The bill introduces stricter rules regarding communication times for debt collectors.
- It mandates detailed debt account disclosures to debtors.
- The bill aims to prevent abusive debt collection practices.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Cosponsors
James B. Eldridge
Joan B. Lovely
Michael J. Barrett
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Bill S.2559 194th (Current)
An Act relative to fairness in debt collection
Senate, July 17, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill relative to fairness in debt collection (Senate, No. 2559) (being the text of Senate, No. 2551, printed as amended).
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
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Bill History Roll Call Cosponsors
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill S.2559
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 7/17/2025 | Senate | S2551, printed as amended |
| 7/17/2025 | Senate | Passed to be engrossed -see Roll Call #60 (Yeas 39 to Nays 0) |
| 7/21/2025 | House | Read; and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
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