BILL REQ. #:  H-1867.1 

Read first time 02/23/2005.   Referred to Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance.

     AN ACT Relating to collection agencies; and adding a new section to chapter 19.16 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 19.16 RCW to read as follows:
     No person, other than an entity subject to RCW 19.16.500, may assign a debt to a collection agency unless:
     (1) The person has made an attempt to advise the debtor (a) of the existence of the debt; and (b) that the debt may be assigned to a collection agency for collection if the debt is not paid within ten days after the date of notice of the existence of the debt; and
     (2) At least thirty days have elapsed from the time notice was attempted.