An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in consumer credit, providing for consumer debt collection fairness.

HB 1731, the Consumer Debt Collection Fairness Act, requires debt collectors and debt buyers to provide detailed documentation before suing consumers for unpaid debt. It mandates that lawsuits include the original creditor’s name, a clear debt breakdown (including fees and payments), proof of debt ownership, and the original contract. The bill also sets a 3-year statute of limitations for debt collection lawsuits and prohibits default judgments without verified documentation or proper consumer notice. This directly affects consumers facing debt lawsuits and debt collectors in Pennsylvania, aiming to prevent abusive practices by ensuring transparency and fair legal process.