H 4316 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to fairness in debt collection

This bill establishes new protections for consumers facing debt collection in Massachusetts. It limits wage garnishment to no more than 90% of gross weekly earnings or 65 times the state/federal minimum wage (whichever is higher), and allows consumers to request additional exemptions due to financial hardship through a court process. The law also prohibits employers from firing or refusing to hire people because of debt garnishments and sets a 5-year limit for creditors to sue over most personal debts. These rules apply to debts like credit cards or medical bills but exclude child support or divorce-related payments.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jul 28, 2025 Last action Jul 28, 2025
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Jul 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Jul 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on Financial Services
lower
0 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.