DBA International’s top priority in the 2016 Massachusetts State Legislative session was the Attorney General sponsored bill, SB 2409. DBA’s concerted lobbying efforts over the past nine months have resulted in the bill dying in committee.  On behalf of the debt collection industry as a whole, and our members in particular, DBA committed our energy and funds by:

  • Retaining a top lobbying firm;
  • Making four in-person trips where we were the only industry representative to testify in committee;
  • Drafting amendments and memos of opposition; and
  • Providing hours of pre-debate preparation for Senate staff.

Among other things, this bill would have:

  • Reduced the statute of limitations in an action for the collection of a consumer debt from six to four years to be measured from the earlier of the date of charge-off, placement for collection, or 180 days after the last regular payment;
  • Prohibited payments made prior to the limitations period expiring from tolling the statute;
  • Prohibited any attempt to collect a consumer debt once the statute of limitations has expired but would allow a debt collector to accept an unsolicited voluntary consumer payment on a debt;
  • Reduced the percentage of wages that can be garnished each pay period from 15 percent of gross earnings to ten (10) percent of excess earnings, unnecessarily prolonging the garnishment period for consumers and significantly increasing the total amount of service fees and interest consumers pay while decreasing the rate of recovery for account owners; and
  • Extinguished judgments after five years unless the creditor takes action to enforce the judgment.

DBA International’s success in Massachusetts is a testament to the strategic efforts and focus of our State Legislative Committee, staff, consultants, and to the generosity of our Legislative Fund donors.

See how you can help DBA International continue to identify and assemble the resources to lobby for and against state and federal legislation directly affecting the industry and your ability to conduct business into the future.