Bill Text: TX SB836 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the collection of consumer debt incurred as a result of identity theft.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-01 - Referred to Business & Commerce [SB836 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB836-Introduced.html
 
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 836
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the collection of consumer debt incurred as a result of
  identity theft.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 392, Finance Code, is
  amended by adding Section 392.308 to read as follows:
         Sec.392.308.CONSUMER VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT.(a)For the purposes of this section:
  the purposes of this section:
               (1)  "Identity theft" means:
                     (A)  a violation of Section 521.051, Business &
  Commerce Code, or a substantially similar federal law or law in
  another state; or
                     (B)  a criminal offense described by Section
  32.51, Penal Code, or a substantially similar federal law or law in
  another state.
               (2)  "Family violence" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 71.004, Family Code.
               (3)  "Vulnerable adult" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 281.001(5).
               (4)  "Victim of human trafficking" is a victim of an
  offense under Section 20A.02, Penal Code.
         (b)  A creditor, debt collector, or third-party debt
  collector must not engage in conduct prohibited by
  Subsection  (c)   if the consumer provides:
               (1)  a criminal complaint alleging the commission of an
  offense under Section 32.51, Penal Code, or a substantially similar
  federal law or law in another state, for which the consumer was a
  victim accompanied by a statement identifying the consumer debt or
  portion of consumer debt that is the result of identity theft;
               (2)  a court order issued under Section 521.103,
  Business & Commerce Code, or a substantially similar federal law or
  law in another state, declaring the consumer a victim of identity
  theft; or
               (3)  For victims of family violence, vulnerable adults,
  or victims of human trafficking, an affidavit or unsworn
  declaration conforming with Section 132.001, Civil Practices and
  Remedies Code that is accompanied by:
                     (A)  A statement that the consumer is a victim of
  identify theft;
                     (B)  Documentation verifying the consumer's
  identity, which may include, but is not limited to a copy of the
  consumer's government issued identification, a driver's license,
  state issued identification card, or passport;
                     (C)  A statement from the consumer identifying the
  disputed consumer debt or portion of the consumer debt and
  detailing the circumstances of the identity theft, including how
  the consumer debt or the affected portion of the consumer debt was
  incurred; and
                     (D)  Documentation that a person is a victim of
  family violence, a vulnerable adult, or a victim of human
  trafficking:
                           (i)  acceptable documentation that a person
  is a victim of family violence includes one or more of the documents
  listed in Section 92.016 (b-1), Property Code.
                           (ii)  acceptable documentation that a person
  is a vulnerable adult includes documentation that the person meets
  the applicable age or disability definitions under Section 281.001
  (5).
                           (iii)  acceptable documentation that a
  person is a victim of human trafficking includes one or more of the
  documents listed in 12 CFR 1022.142 (b) (6) (i).
         (c)  Notwithstanding other provisions in this Chapter, a
  creditor, debt collector, or third-party debt collector who
  receives notice that a consumer debt is a result of identity theft
  from a victim of identity theft in accordance with Subsection (b)
  shall:
               (1)  immediately cease collection of the disputed
  consumer debt or any disputed portion of the consumer debt;
               (2)  inform any third-party receiving information
  about the disputed consumer debt or disputed portion of the
  consumer debt that the consumer debt or portion of consumer debt is
  disputed as resulting from identity theft and is  not collectable;
  and
               (3)  not sell or transfer for consideration the
  disputed consumer debt or the disputed portion of the consumer debt
  except to the current owner of the consumer debt.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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