Debt Collection

Added new subsection (16) prohibiting mailing communications in envelopes with embarrassing language like 'Deadbeat' on the outside.

Added new subsection (17) exempting email from the 9 PM to 8 AM communication prohibition, while maintaining the restriction for phone calls.

Added new subsection (18) clarifying when collectors must communicate with a debtor's attorney instead of the debtor directly.

Added new subsection (19) prohibiting charging debtors for communications by concealing the true purpose, including collect call fees.

Modified subsection (17) to add detailed rules about presuming time zones based on area codes and toll-free numbers.

Modified the bill header to reflect committee changes from Commerce and Tourism to include Banking and Insurance committees.

Prohibits debt collectors from contacting debtors between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. in the debtor's time zone without prior consent, with specific rules for determining time zones.

Requires debt collectors to communicate with debtors' attorneys instead of debtors directly when the debtor is represented, unless the attorney fails to respond within 30 days.

Prohibits mailing communications to debtors in envelopes with words calculated to embarrass them, such as labeling them as 'deadbeat'.

Updates enforcement provisions to clarify that out-of-state debt collectors face the same sanctions as in-state collectors for violations.

Expands the definition of 'credit service organization' to explicitly exclude persons collecting consumer claims pursuant to the debt collection statute.

Makes technical changes to bill formatting and numbering while preserving the core legislative intent.