summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
04/28/2025
04/28/2025
Crossed Over
04/16/2025
04/16/2025
Passed
05/16/2025
05/16/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/20/2025
05/20/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to debt collection; amending s. 559.72, F.S.; revising prohibited practices for a person attempting to collect consumer debt; providing applicability; making a technical change; reenacting ss. 559.565(2), 559.725(2), 559.77(1) and (2), 648.44(1)(o), and 817.7001(2)(b), F.S., relating to enforcement action against an out-of-state consumer debt collector, consumer complaints and administrative duties, civil remedies, prohibitions and penalties, and definitions, respectively, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 559.72, F.S., in references thereto; providing an effective date. WHEREAS, the Legislature acknowledges that s. 559.72(17), Florida Statutes, was adopted before e-mail communication became commonly used, and that the only specific communication explicitly contemplated in such subsection is telephone calls, and WHEREAS, the Legislature intends to update and clarify prohibited practices in collecting debt to address e-mail communication by excluding such communication from prohibited contact between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. because such contact is less invasive and less disruptive than telephone calls, NOW, THEREFORE,
AI Summary
This bill updates Florida's debt collection laws to address modern communication methods, specifically focusing on email communication. The primary change is in Section 559.72, which previously prohibited debt collectors from communicating with debtors between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. by telephone. The bill now explicitly excludes email communications from these time restrictions, recognizing that emails are less invasive and disruptive than phone calls. The legislation maintains existing protections against harassment and abusive debt collection practices while adapting to technological changes in communication. The bill also reenacts several related sections of Florida Statutes to incorporate this amendment, ensuring consistency across legal references. This update reflects the Legislature's acknowledgment that communication methods have evolved since the original law was drafted, with email now being a common and less intrusive form of contact. The bill aims to provide clarity for debt collectors while still protecting consumers from overly aggressive collection practices. The changes will take effect immediately upon becoming law, allowing debt collectors to send emails outside of traditional communication hours without violating existing statutes.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (2)
Banking and Insurance (Senate), Commerce and Tourism (Senate)
Last Action
Chapter No. 2025-23 (on 05/20/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...