Washington Enacts New Requirements for Debt Collection Lawsuits 

Washington State has enacted SB 5720, a law establishing new requirements for information included in consumer debt collection lawsuits. The legislation requires specific details to help courts verify the identity of the defendant and the amount of the debt.  Requirements Under SB 5720  According to the Uniform Law Commission, SB 5720 requires that consumers be provided with information necessary to understand claims asserted against them and to identify potential defenses. The law also includes […]

Federal Court Upholds CFPB Funding Structure, Allowing Operations to Continue 

A federal judge in the Northern District of California has ruled that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) must continue obtaining its funding through the Federal Reserve, reinforcing the agency’s existing financial structure.  The decision follows a legal challenge over the CFPB’s funding source. The government, relying on a Department of Justice (DOJ) opinion, argued that because the Federal Reserve had not generated profits, funding to the bureau should be […]

Under Commit. Over Deliver. What a Disney Bus Taught Me About Collection Calls

Traveling to Disney with a two-year-old is not a vacation. It’s a logistics operation with snacks. There are schedules, backup snacks, backup-backup snacks, emergency juice boxes, and a constant mental calculation of how close you are to the next potential meltdown.  Standing in line for the bus to Magic Kingdom is where the calculations really begin. The stroller is packed like a supply wagon, the diaper bag weighs roughly the same as a carry-on suitcase, and everyone […]

Washington Medical Debt Interest Bill Stalls, May Return in 2027 

A proposal to significantly reduce the interest rate applied to medical debt in Washington state stalled in the House of Representatives before the legislative session concluded on March 12. The measure, Senate Bill 5993, was one of several bills considered in recent years as lawmakers continue to examine the impact of medical debt on consumers and the broader healthcare system.  SB 5993 aimed to lower the interest rate on medical […]

FCC Proposes New Rules Targeting Offshore Call Centers and Foreign Robocall Operations 

The Federal Communications Commission (Federal Communications Commission) has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) outlining a series of actions aimed at offshore call centers, with a strong focus on improving customer service standards and reducing robocall scams that originate outside the United States.  The proposal, led by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, is scheduled for a vote at the agency’s March 26 open meeting. If approved, it will be published in the Federal Register […]

New Legislation Seeks Stronger Verification Standards for CFPB Complaint Database 

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) recently introduced H.R. 7588, the Eliminating Fraud in the CFPB’s Complaint Database Act, legislation aimed at strengthening the accuracy and integrity of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s public Consumer Complaint Database.  The bill proposes amendments to the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 by adding stricter verification requirements for individuals submitting complaints and implementing additional reforms to how complaints are processed and published.  Legislation Overview  H.R. 7588 seeks to formalize and […]

DCWP Finalizes Amendments to Debt Collection Rules 

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has adopted amendments to its debt collection rules, clarifying their intent and scope while making several substantive adjustments.  According to the DCWP, the overall goal of the rules is to significantly expand record retention and reporting requirements for collection agencies, revise validation and verification procedures, and enhance consumer protections. The rules also require debt collectors to inform consumers about […]

FTC Officially Removes Noncompete Rule from Federal Regulations 

The Federal Trade Commission has formally eliminated the Non-Compete Clause Rule (16 CFR Part 910) from the Code of Federal Regulations. This procedural step closes the chapter on the agency’s attempted nationwide ban and aligns federal regulations with court rulings that blocked the rule before it could take effect.  A Shift in Direction  The turning point came in August 2024, when a federal court halted the proposed ban in Ryan LLC v. Federal […]

Washington Lawmakers Advance Medical Debt Interest Proposal to House for Further Review 

A proposal that would reshape how interest is applied to medical debt in Washington is now under consideration in the House. Washington Senate Bill 5993 cleared the Senate with a 29–19 vote and has been forwarded for additional review.  The measure centers on limiting the amount of interest that can be added to medical debt. An earlier draft would have eliminated prejudgment interest entirely. However, during committee review, lawmakers revised the language to instead establish a simple interest cap […]

Indiana Lawmakers Advance Medical Debt Reform Measures 

Indiana legislators are moving forward with multiple proposals aimed at reshaping how medical debt is handled, with a focus on consumer protections, payment flexibility, and garnishment limits. Two key bills—Senate Bill 85 and Senate Bill 197—have drawn attention from policymakers, industry representatives, and consumer advocates as they progress through the 2026 legislative session. Senate Bill 85 Moves to the House  Senate Bill 85, titled Health Care Debt and Costs, recently passed the […]