Bill > S2454

This bill amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to provide additional protections for military servicemembers and their dependents from debt collector harassment. Specifically, the bill prohibits debt collectors from threatening covered individuals (which includes active duty military members, recent veterans within 365 days of separation, certain dependents, and Selected Reserve members) with specific punitive actions like reduction in military rank, revocation of security clearance, or prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The bill also makes it an unfair practice for debt collectors to misrepresent that a servicemember's failure to cooperate will result in these types of consequences. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study and report to Congress on how these new protections impact the timely delivery of information to servicemembers, military readiness, and national security, particularly regarding how uncollected debt might affect individuals with security clearances. The goal is to prevent debt collectors from using military-specific threats or actions that could harm a servicemember's career or standing.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2454/all-info