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
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
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.
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