Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee |
HB 1974
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Restricting the ability of collection agencies to report public debt to consumer reporting agencies.
Sponsors: Representative Santos.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/12/09
Staff: Alison Hellberg (786-7152)
Background:
Governmental entities may retain a collection agency to collect public debts owed by a person. No debt may be assigned to a collection agency unless:
there has been an attempt to advise the debtor of the existence of the debt and that the debt may be assigned to a collection agency; and
at least 30 days have passed since notice was given.
Summary of Bill:
A governmental may not assign a debt to a collection agency unless it is established in contract that the collection agency may not report the debt to a consumer reporting agency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.