Bill > S106

This bill aims to protect residents' peace and privacy by limiting unwanted communication from creditors. It amends existing law to state that a creditor cannot contact a person about a debt if that person has already informed the creditor, either in writing or orally, that they refuse to pay the debt or wish for communication to stop. However, there are exceptions where a creditor can still communicate, but only in writing: to inform the debtor that collection efforts are ending, or to notify them about specific actions the creditor may take to collect the debt. An oral request to cease communication is only valid for ten days unless confirmed in writing within seven days, and a debtor can always cancel their request to stop communication with a written notice. Creditors must inform debtors of their right to stop communication when they first start contacting them about a delinquent account, and this notice must be separate from regular bills. Crucially, if a debtor sends a written notice to a creditor to stop all communication about a bill or debt, the creditor must immediately comply and also forward a copy of this notice to any other creditor to whom the debt might be assigned for collection, ensuring the cease communication request remains in effect until the debtor rescinds it in writing. For the purposes of this law, a "creditor" is defined as anyone collecting a debt owed to them, excluding those solely focused on repossessing collateral.