SB1369 Summary

• Amends the Collection Agency Act to add definitions including "debt buyer" (entities purchasing delinquent consumer debt for collection) and clarifies applicability of certain provisions to consumer debt collection only.

• Requires collection agencies and debt buyers to identify themselves when contacting third parties for debtor location information and prohibits disclosing that a consumer owes a debt to non-debtor contacts.

• Restricts collection agency communications with debtors to reasonable times (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time) and prohibits contact at debtor's workplace if employer prohibits such communications.

• Requires collection agencies to provide written notice within 5 days of initial contact containing debt amount, creditor name, and debtor's right to dispute the debt within 30 days; collection must cease if debtor disputes until verification is obtained.

• Provides safe harbor exempting collection agencies and debt buyers from civil liability for non-compliance with state law if they can demonstrate compliance with the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.