House Bill 4657 Summary

• Amends the Occupational Code to revise prohibited practices for licensed debt collectors by changing language from "commit 1 or more acts" to "do any of the following," making violations apply to any single prohibited action rather than multiple acts.

• Adds five new prohibited practices for debt collectors: implicating a debtor in a crime, engaging in conduct to disgrace a debtor, disrupting a debtor's residence through violence or verbal/physical means, inciting a debtor to commit an assaultive crime, and clarifies the definition of "assaultive crime" by reference to MCL 770.9a.

• Revises existing prohibitions to clarify language, including changes to rules about attorney representation, communications timing (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.), shame cards or automobiles, and penalties for violations.

• Establishes that violations of Section 915 constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and/or imprisonment for up to 1 year, in addition to any other penalties under Article 6.

• Takes effect 90 days after enactment into law.