What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Requires debt collectors to inform debtors that written communications are available in large print format
In Senate Committee · Consumer Protection · Sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5386
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring debt collectors to inform debtors that written communications are available in large print format
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would require debt collectors to notify debtors of the availability of large print for future notices. For the purposes of this bill it also defines a "communication, debt, and debt collector."
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends section 600 of the general business law, adding three new subdivision which offer definitions of relevant terms for this bill.
Section 2 amends the general business law by adding a new section, 601-a, which required creditors or debt collectors to offer, upon initial communication, large print for any further communications that the debtor may receive. Furthermore, this section defines what large print will qualify as.
Section 3 amends subdivision 1 of section 602 of the general business law, to add a misdemeanor penalty that any creditor or debtor who violates the requirements set forth in section 601-a of this bill will be guilty of. This section also determines a fine and the dollar amount of this fine.
Section 4 sets the effective date.
Justification
This bill would offer some protection to debtors who suffer from vision problems. Often times debt collectors will bombard debtors with information that can be intimidating and also difficult to understand. This bill at the very least would ensure that debtors who suffer from poor vision would be able to receive notice that the communications they are receiving can be provided in large print. This service will insure that those who are intended to read, understand, and comply with these communications, are better prepared to do so.
Prior legislative history
2011-12-A.5438 - Referred to Codes
Fiscal implications
None to the state
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.