HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1897        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael J. Finn

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the collection of debt.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1897        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to the collection of debt.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1: Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a debt collector or creditor as defined by Section 24 of Chapter 93 of the General Laws, shall be permitted to accept payment of a debt, or any portion thereof, by postdated check or other similar instrument with the following exceptions:

(1) A debt collector or creditor shall not accept from any person a check or other payment instrument postdated by more than five days unless such person is notified in writing of the debt collector's intent to deposit such check or instrument not more than ten, nor less than three, days, excluding legal public holidays identified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), Saturdays, and Sundays, prior to such deposit.

(2) A debt collector or creditor shall not solicit any postdated check or other postdated payment instrument for the purpose of threatening or instituting criminal prosecution.

(3) A debt collector or creditor shall not deposit or threaten to deposit any postdated check or other postdated payment instrument prior to the date on such check or instrument.