HB 713 & SB 562- Relating to Consumer Debt Collection
On Monday, February 1st, SB 562, relating to Consumer Debt Collection, by Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland) was heard in front of the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee and unanimously passed with 6 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s General Counsel, Tammy Perdue, stood in support of this bill.

Also on Monday, February 1st, HB 713, relating to Consumer Debt Collection, by Rep. Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) was heard by the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee and passed by a vote of 12 yeas to 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this bill.

SB 562 seeks to better define the parameters by which an attorney representing a debit or debtor must notify a creditor of their representation in order for that creditor to properly direct communications concerning the dead. For during today's committee, through the amendment process, there was some confusion as to whether the bill scope would be expanded. However, the amendments which were adopted, actually narrow the application of the bill to situations in which an attorney communicates the representation to the creditor.

View a complete copy of the bill as amended today, here.

The House companion, HB 713, contains provisions that invoked penalties and implications relative to Florida's deceptive and unfair trade practices act which cause some great concerns in the business community.

View a copy of the house version as amended today here.

The next stop for SB 562 will be in the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee.

HB 713 will head to its second committee stop in the House Judiciary Committee.

AIF supports legislation that eliminates a current scam against Florida’s employers while also protecting legitimate debt collection processes by companies.