HB 2395 Summary

• Adds to unlawful acts for collection agencies the practice of bringing suit, initiating arbitration, or attempting to collect on a debt when the statute of limitations has expired, the debt was discharged in bankruptcy, the debt was paid or settled, or the debt is illegal under federal or state law.

• Designates violations of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. sections 1692-1692p) and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 appendix U.S.C. sections 501-597b) as unlawful acts under Arizona collection agency law.

• Makes violations of Arizona collection agency statutes and rules subject to enforcement by the Arizona Attorney General as unlawful acts or practices under the Consumer Fraud Act (A.R.S. section 44-1522).

• Changes statutory language from "shall be" to "is" in provisions establishing that unlicensed collection agencies and violating licensees are guilty of class 1 misdemeanors.