Summary

Prohibits debt collectors from collecting or attempting to collect consumer debts once the statute of limitations for the debt has expired. It adds a new rule to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act making time‑barred debt collection conduct unlawful and updates the Act’s table of contents to reflect the new provision.

Key Points

• Makes it illegal for debt collectors to collect or try to collect consumer debts after the statute of limitations has expired.
• Inserts a new prohibition into the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and updates the Act’s table of contents.
• Applies to debt collectors and collection agencies that pursue consumer debts; creditors and debt buyers will also be affected in practice.
• Relies on the existing FDCPA enforcement mechanisms (private lawsuits and federal enforcement provisions).
• Requires collectors to verify statute‑of‑limitations status before collecting, increasing compliance and recordkeeping needs.
• May reduce nuisance or abusive collection attempts on time‑barred debts and lower consumer harassment risk.
• Does not create new funding or federal programs, nor does it explicitly change credit reporting rules or tolling rules.

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