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S 306-D. ADDITIONAL MAILING OF NOTICE IN AN ACTION ARISING OUT OF A
CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTION. 1. AT THE TIME OF FILING WITH THE CLERK OF
THE PROOF OF SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN AN ACTION ARISING
OUT OF A CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTION, THE PLAINTIFF SHALL SUBMIT TO THE
CLERK A STAMPED ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO THE DEFENDANT TOGETHER WITH A
WRITTEN NOTICE IN CLEAR TYPE OF NO LESS THAN TWELVE-POINT IN SIZE, IN
BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH, AND CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGE:
NOTICE OF LAWSUIT
(DATE)
(NAME OF COURT)
(COUNTY)
(STREET ADDRESS, ROOM NUMBER)
(CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE)
(NAME OF DEFENDANT)
(ADDRESS OF DEFENDANT)
PLAINTIFF:__________________________________
DEFENDANT:__________________________________
NAME OF ORIGINAL CREDITOR, UNLESS SAME:______________________________
INDEX NUMBER:_______________________________
ATTENTION: A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST YOU CLAIMING THAT YOU OWE
MONEY FOR AN UNPAID CREDIT CARD, MEDICAL, STUDENT LOAN OR OTHER DEBT.
YOU SHOULD GO TO THE COURT CLERK'S OFFICE AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE TO RESPOND TO THE LAWSUIT. YOU MAY WISH TO CONTACT AN ATTOR-
NEY. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ATTORNEY, HELP IS AVAILABLE AT THE COURT.
IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THE LAWSUIT, THE COURT MAY ENTER A JUDGMENT
AGAINST YOU. ONCE ENTERED, A JUDGMENT IS GOOD AND CAN BE USED AGAINST
YOU FOR TWENTY YEARS, AND YOUR MONEY, INCLUDING A PORTION OF YOUR
PAYCHECK AND/OR BANK ACCOUNT, MAY BE TAKEN. ALSO, A JUDGMENT WILL HURT
YOUR CREDIT SCORE AND CAN AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO RENT A HOME, FIND A
JOB, OR TAKE OUT A LOAN.
YOU CANNOT BE ARRESTED OR SENT TO JAIL FOR OWING A DEBT.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU GO TO THE COURT CLERK'S OFFICE LISTED ABOVE AND
BRING THIS NOTICE WITH YOU. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT THE
COURT SYSTEM WEBSITE AT: WWW.COURTS.STATE.NY.US
2. THE FACE OF THE ENVELOPE SHALL BE ADDRESSED TO THE DEFENDANT AT THE
ADDRESS AT WHICH PROCESS WAS SERVED, AND SHALL CONTAIN THE DEFENDANT'S
NAME, ADDRESS (INCLUDING APARTMENT NUMBER) AND ZIP CODE. THE FACE OF THE
ENVELOPE ALSO SHALL STATE THE APPROPRIATE CLERK'S OFFICE AS ITS RETURN
ADDRESS.
3. THE CLERK PROMPTLY SHALL MAIL TO THE DEFENDANT THE ENVELOPE
CONTAINING THE ADDITIONAL NOTICE SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS
SECTION. NO DEFAULT JUDGMENT BASED ON THE DEFENDANT'S FAILURE TO ANSWER
SHALL BE ENTERED UNLESS THERE HAS BEEN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION, AND
AT LEAST TWENTY DAYS HAVE ELAPSED FROM THE DATE OF MAILING BY THE CLERK.
S 5. Subdivision (a) of section 3012 of the civil practice law and
rules is amended to read as follows:
(a) Service of pleadings. The complaint may be served with the
summons, EXCEPT THAT IN AN ACTION ARISING OUT OF A CONSUMER CREDIT TRAN-
SACTION, THE COMPLAINT SHALL BE SERVED WITH THE SUMMONS. A subsequent
pleading asserting new or additional claims for relief shall be served
upon a party who has not appeared in the manner provided for service of
a summons. In any other case, a pleading shall be served in the manner
A. 9206 3
provided for service of papers generally. Service of an answer or reply
shall be made within twenty days after service of the pleading to which
it responds.
S 6. Rule 3016 of the civil practice law and rules is amended by
adding a new subdivision (i) to read as follows:
(I) CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTIONS. IN AN ACTION ARISING OUT OF A
CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTION WHERE A PURCHASER, BORROWER OR DEBTOR IS A
DEFENDANT, THE CONTRACT OR OTHER WRITTEN INSTRUMENT ON WHICH THE ACTION
IS BASED SHALL BE ATTACHED TO THE COMPLAINT AND THE FOLLOWING INFORMA-
TION SHALL BE SET FORTH IN THE COMPLAINT:
1. THE NAME OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR;
2. THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THE ORIGINAL ACCOUNT NUMBER;
3. THE DATE AND AMOUNT OF THE LAST PAYMENT;
4. IF THE COMPLAINT CONTAINS A CAUSE OF ACTION BASED ON AN ACCOUNT
STATED, THE DATE THAT THE FINAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT WAS MAILED TO THE
DEFENDANT;
5. AN ITEMIZATION OF THE AMOUNT SOUGHT, BY (I) PRINCIPAL; (II) FINANCE
CHARGE OR CHARGES; (III) FEES IMPOSED BY THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR; (IV)
COLLECTION COSTS; (V) ATTORNEY'S FEES; (VI) INTEREST; AND (VII) ANY
OTHER FEES AND CHARGES. THE TERM "FINANCE CHARGE" MEANS A FINANCE CHARGE
AS DEFINED IN REGULATION Z, 12 C.F.R. S 226.4.
6. WHETHER THE PLAINTIFF IS THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR. IF THE PLAINTIFF IS
NOT THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR, THE COMPLAINT SHALL STATE (I) THE DATE ON
WHICH THE DEBT WAS ASSIGNED TO THE PLAINTIFF; AND (II) THE NAME OF EACH
PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE ACCOUNT AND THE DATE ON WHICH THE DEBT WAS
ASSIGNED TO THAT OWNER.
7. ANY MATTERS REQUIRED TO BE STATED WITH PARTICULARITY PURSUANT TO
RULE 3015 OF THIS ARTICLE.
S 7. Subdivision (e) of rule 3211 of the civil practice law and rules,
as amended by chapter 616 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as
follows:
(e) Number, time and waiver of objections; motion to plead over. At
any time before service of the responsive pleading is required, a party
may move on one or more of the grounds set forth in subdivision (a) OF
THIS RULE, and no more than one such motion shall be permitted. Any
objection or defense based upon a ground set forth in paragraphs one,
three, four, five and six of subdivision (a) OF THIS RULE is waived
unless raised either by such motion or in the responsive pleading. A
motion based upon a ground specified in paragraph two, seven or ten of
subdivision (a) OF THIS RULE may be made at any subsequent time or in a
later pleading, if one is permitted; IN ANY ACTION OTHER THAN AN ACTION
ARISING OUT OF A CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTION WHERE A PURCHASER, BORROWER
OR DEBTOR IS A DEFENDANT, an objection that the summons and complaint,
summons with notice, or notice of petition and petition was not properly
served is waived if, having raised such an objection in a pleading, the
objecting party does not move for judgment on that ground within sixty
days after serving the pleading, unless the court extends the time upon
the ground of undue hardship. The foregoing sentence shall not apply in
any proceeding under subdivision one or two of section seven hundred
eleven of the real property actions and proceedings law. The papers in
opposition to a motion based on improper service shall contain a copy of
the proof of service, whether or not previously filed. An objection
based upon a ground specified in paragraph eight or nine of subdivision
(a) OF THIS RULE is waived if a party moves on any of the grounds set
forth in subdivision (a) OF THIS RULE without raising such objection or
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if, having made no objection under subdivision (a) OF THIS RULE, he or
she does not raise such objection in the responsive pleading.
S 8. Subdivision (f) of section 3215 of the civil practice law and
rules, as amended by chapter 453 of the laws of 2006, is amended and a
new subdivision (j) is added to read as follows:
(f) Proof. On any application for judgment by default, the applicant
shall file proof of service of the summons and the complaint, or a
summons and notice served pursuant to subdivision (b) of rule 305 or
subdivision (a) of rule 316 of this chapter, and proof of the facts
constituting the claim, the default and the amount due by affidavit made
by the party, or where the state of New York is the plaintiff, by affi-
davit made by an attorney from the office of the attorney general who
has or obtains knowledge of such facts through review of state records
or otherwise. Where a verified complaint has been served, it may be used
as the affidavit of the facts constituting the claim and the amount due;
in such case, an affidavit as to the default shall be made by the party
or the party's attorney. IN AN ACTION ARISING OUT OF A CONSUMER CREDIT
TRANSACTION, IF THE PLAINTIFF IS NOT THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR, THE APPLI-
CANT SHALL INCLUDE: (I) AN AFFIDAVIT BY THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR OF THE
FACTS CONSTITUTING THE DEBT, THE DEFAULT IN PAYMENT, THE SALE OR ASSIGN-
MENT OF THE DEBT, AND THE AMOUNT DUE AT THE TIME OF SALE OR ASSIGNMENT;
(II) FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT ASSIGNMENT OR SALE OF THE DEBT TO ANOTHER ENTI-
TY, AN AFFIDAVIT OF SALE OF THE DEBT BY THE DEBT SELLER, COMPLETED BY
THE SELLER OR ASSIGNOR; AND (III) AN AFFIDAVIT OF A WITNESS OF THE
PLAINTIFF, WHICH INCLUDES A CHAIN OF TITLE OF THE DEBT, COMPLETED BY THE
PLAINTIFF OR PLAINTIFF'S WITNESS. When jurisdiction is based on an
attachment of property, the affidavit must state that an order of
attachment granted in the action has been levied on the property of the
defendant, describe the property and state its value. Proof of mailing
the notice required by subdivision (g) of this section, where applica-
ble, shall also be filed.
(J) A REQUEST FOR A DEFAULT JUDGMENT ENTERED BY THE CLERK, MUST BE
ACCOMPANIED BY AN AFFIDAVIT BY THE DEBT COLLECTOR (WHO MAY BE THE PLAIN-
TIFF OR PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY) STATING THAT AFTER REASONABLE INQUIRY, HE
OR SHE HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS HAS NOT
EXPIRED.
S 9. The civil practice law and rules is amended by adding a new
section 7515 to read as follows:
S 7515. CONFIRMATION OF AN AWARD BASED ON A CONSUMER CREDIT TRANS-
ACTION. IN ANY PROCEEDING UNDER SECTION 7510 OF THIS ARTICLE TO CONFIRM
AN AWARD BASED ON A CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTION, THE PARTY SEEKING TO
CONFIRM THE AWARD SHALL PLEAD THE ACTUAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE
AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE. THE PARTY SHALL ATTACH TO ITS PETITION (1) THE
AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE; (2) THE DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION OR NOTICE OF
INTENTION TO ARBITRATE, WITH PROOF OF SERVICE; AND (3) THE ARBITRATION
AWARD, WITH PROOF OF SERVICE. IF THE AWARD DOES NOT CONTAIN A STATEMENT
OF THE CLAIMS SUBMITTED FOR ARBITRATION, OF THE CLAIMS RULED UPON BY THE
ARBITRATOR, AND OF THE CALCULATION OF FIGURES USED BY THE ARBITRATOR IN
ARRIVING AT THE AWARD, THEN THE PETITION SHALL CONTAIN SUCH A STATEMENT.
THE COURT SHALL NOT GRANT CONFIRMATION OF AN AWARD BASED ON A CONSUMER
CREDIT TRANSACTION UNLESS THE PARTY SEEKING TO CONFIRM THE AWARD HAS
COMPLIED WITH THIS SECTION.
S 10. The general business law is amended by adding a new section
601-a to read as follows:
S 601-A. DEBT COLLECTION NOTICE TO CONSUMERS. 1. AS USED IN THIS
SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERM SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANING:
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"DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY" SHALL MEAN A PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION
ENGAGED IN BUSINESS, THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO REGULARLY
COLLECT OR ATTEMPT TO COLLECT DEBTS: (I) OWED OR DUE OR ASSERTED TO BE
OWED OR DUE TO ANOTHER; OR (II) OBTAINED BY, OR ASSIGNED TO, SUCH
PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION, THAT ARE IN DEFAULT WHEN OBTAINED OR
ACQUIRED BY SUCH PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION.
THE TERM DOES NOT INCLUDE: (I) ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF A CREDITOR
WHILE, IN THE NAME OF THE CREDITOR, COLLECTING DEBTS FOR SUCH CREDITOR;
(II) ANY PERSON WHILE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY FOR ANOTHER
PERSON, BOTH OF WHOM ARE RELATED BY COMMON OWNERSHIP OR AFFILIATED BY
CORPORATE CONTROL, IF THE PERSON ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY DOES
SO ONLY FOR PERSONS TO WHOM IT IS SO RELATED OR AFFILIATED AND IF THE
PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF SUCH PERSON IS NOT THE COLLECTION OF DEBTS;
(III) ANY PERSON WHILE SERVING OR ATTEMPTING TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS ON
ANY OTHER PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE JUDICIAL ENFORCEMENT OF ANY
DEBT;
(IV) ANY ATTORNEY-AT-LAW OR LAW FIRM COLLECTING A DEBT IN SUCH CAPACI-
TY ON BEHALF OF AND IN THE NAME OF A CLIENT THROUGH LEGAL ACTIVITIES
SUCH AS THE FILING AND PROSECUTION OF LAWSUITS TO REDUCE DEBTS TO JUDG-
MENTS, BUT NOT ANY ATTORNEY-AT-LAW OR LAW FIRM WHO REGULARLY ENGAGES IN
ACTIVITIES TRADITIONALLY ASSOCIATED WITH DEBT COLLECTION, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, SENDING DEMAND LETTERS OR MAKING COLLECTION TELEPHONE
CALLS;
(V) ANY PERSON EMPLOYED BY A UTILITY REGULATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF
THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW, ACTING FOR SUCH UTILITY;
(VI) ANY PERSON COLLECTING OR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT ANY DEBT OWED OR
DUE OR ASSERTED TO BE OWED OR DUE ANOTHER TO THE EXTENT SUCH ACTIVITY;
(A) IS INCIDENTAL TO A BONA FIDE FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR A BONA FIDE
ESCROW AGREEMENT; (B) CONCERNS A DEBT WHICH WAS ORIGINATED BY SUCH
PERSON; OR (C) CONCERNS A DEBT WHICH WAS NOT IN DEFAULT AT THE TIME IT
WAS OBTAINED BY SUCH PERSON AS A SECURED PARTY IN A COMMERCIAL CREDIT
TRANSACTION INVOLVING THE CREDITOR;
(VII) ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE UNITED STATES, ANY STATE THEREOF
OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF ANY STATE TO THE EXTENT THAT COLLECTING
OR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT ANY DEBT OWED IS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR
HER OFFICIAL DUTIES; OR
(VIII) ANY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH, AT THE REQUEST OF CONSUMERS,
PERFORMS BONA FIDE CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING AND ASSISTS CUSTOMERS IN
THE LIQUIDATION OF THEIR DEBTS BY RECEIVING PAYMENTS FROM SUCH CUSTOMERS
AND DISTRIBUTING SUCH AMOUNTS TO CREDITORS.
2. EACH AND EVERY DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY SHALL INCLUDE IN EACH INITIAL
CORRESPONDENCE ON A PAST DUE DEBT TO A DEBTOR A CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS
WRITTEN STATEMENT OF AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING ITEMS, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
FOLLOWING FORM, TO BE CLEARLY AND CONSPICUOUSLY LABELED "DEBTOR'S BILL
OF RIGHTS":
DEBTOR'S BILL OF RIGHTS
AS A DEBTOR WHO OWES OR MAY OWE A CONSUMER CLAIM, YOU ARE GIVEN SOME
PROTECTION AND RIGHTS BY THE NEW YORK AND FEDERAL LAWS REGULATING DEBT
COLLECTION PROCEDURES. YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF YOUR RIGHTS AND NOT
PERMIT YOUR RIGHTS TO BE VIOLATED. SOME, NOT ALL, OF THE MORE IMPORTANT
PROTECTIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED BELOW.
1. A DEBT COLLECTOR MAY CONTACT YOU OR ANY MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY OR
HOUSEHOLD DIRECTLY. HOWEVER, THEY MAY NOT CONTACT YOU WITH SUCH FREQUEN-
CY, AT UNUSUAL HOURS, OR IN A MANNER THAT CAN BE EXPECTED TO ABUSE OR
HARASS YOU. THEY ALSO CANNOT THREATEN ACTION WHICH THEY DO NOT TAKE IN
THE USUAL COURSE OF BUSINESS.
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2. A DEBT COLLECTOR MAY NOT THREATEN TO CONTACT YOUR EMPLOYER REGARD-
ING A DEBT PRIOR TO OBTAINING A FINAL JUDGMENT AGAINST YOU. HOWEVER, A
DEBT COLLECTOR MAY CONTACT YOUR EMPLOYER TO EXECUTE A WAGE ASSIGNMENT
AGREEMENT IF YOU, THE DEBTOR, HAVE AGREED TO THE ASSIGNMENT.
3. A DEBT COLLECTOR CANNOT USE A COMMUNICATION WHICH APPEARS TO BE
AUTHORIZED, ISSUED, OR APPROVED BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR ATTORNEY WHEN
IT IS NOT.
4. A DEBT COLLECTOR CANNOT DISCLOSE OR THREATEN TO DISCLOSE INFORMA-
TION AFFECTING YOUR REPUTATION FOR CREDITWORTHINESS IF THE COLLECTOR
KNOWS OR HAS REASON TO KNOW THE INFORMATION IS FALSE. A DEBT COLLECTOR
ALSO CANNOT ATTEMPT OR THREATEN TO ENFORCE A RIGHT WHEN IT KNOWS OR HAS
REASON TO KNOW THE RIGHT DOES NOT EXIST.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS UNDER STATE AND FEDERAL DEBT
COLLECTION PROCEDURES LAW, CONTACT THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION OF
THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AT (INSERT THE CURRENT TELEPHONE
NUMBER ESTABLISHED BY THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION FOR RECEIVING
INQUIRIES FROM CONSUMERS) OR (INSERT THE CURRENT ADDRESS OF THE WEBSITE
OR WEBPAGE CREATED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (P) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF
SECTION NINETY-FOUR-A OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW). YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT THE
NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT (INSERT THE CURRENT TELEPHONE NUMBER
ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW FOR RECEIVING INQUIRIES FROM
CONSUMERS) OR (INSERT THE CURRENT ADDRESS OF THE WEBSITE OF THE DEPART-
MENT OF LAW).
THE NOTICE REQUIRED BY THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE PRINTED OR WRITTEN IN
AT LEAST TEN POINT BOLD TYPE.
S 11. Subdivision 1 of section 602 of the general business law, as
added by chapter 753 of the laws of 1973, is amended to read as follows:
1. Except as otherwise provided by law, any person who [shall violate]
VIOLATES the terms OF SECTION SIX HUNDRED ONE of this article [shall be]
IS guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such violation shall be deemed a
separate offense. A VIOLATION BY ANY PERSON OF SECTION SIX HUNDRED ONE-A
OF THIS ARTICLE, IF SUCH VIOLATION CONSTITUTES THE FIRST SUCH OFFENSE BY
SUCH PERSON, IS PUNISHABLE BY A CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED
FIFTY DOLLARS. THE SECOND OFFENSE AND ANY OFFENSE COMMITTED THEREAFTER
ARE PUNISHABLE BY A CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
S 12. Subdivision 3 of section 94-a of the executive law, as added by
section 21 of part A of chapter 62 of the laws of 2011, is amended to
read as follows:
3. Powers of the consumer protection division. [(a)] The division
shall have the power and duty to:
[(1)] (A) receive complaints of consumers, attempt to mediate such
complaints where appropriate, and refer complaints to the appropriate
unit of the department, or federal, state or local agency authorized by
law for appropriate action on such complaints;
[(2)] (B) coordinate the activities of all state agencies performing
consumer protection functions;
[(3)] (C) initiate and encourage consumer education programs;
[(4)] (D) conduct investigations, research, studies and analyses of
matters affecting the interests of consumers;
[(5)] (E) cooperate with and assist the attorney general and the
department of financial services in the carrying out of legal enforce-
ment responsibilities for the protection of consumers;
[(6)] (F) implement other powers and duties by regulation and other-
wise as prescribed by any provision of law;
[(7) (i)] (G) (1) advise and make recommendations to the governor on
matters affecting the consumers of the state and promote and encourage
A. 9206 7
the protection of the legitimate interests of consumers within the
state;
[(ii)] (2) study the operation of consumer protection laws and recom-
mend to the governor new laws and amendments of laws for consumer
protection;
[(8)] (H) represent the interests of consumers of the state before
federal, state and local administrative and regulatory agencies;
[(9)] (I) establish a process by which victims of identity theft will
receive assistance and information to resolve complaints. To implement
the process the secretary shall have the authority to:
[(i)] (1) promulgate rules and regulations to administer the identity
theft prevention and mitigation program; and
[(ii)] (2) act as a liaison between the victim and any state agency,
public authority, or any municipal department or agency, the division of
state police, and county or municipal police departments, and any non-
governmental entity, including but not limited to, consumer credit
reporting agencies, to facilitate the victim obtaining such assistance
and data as will enable the program to carry out its duties to help
consumers resolve the problems that have resulted from the identity
theft. Trade secrets and proprietary business information contained in
the documents or records that may be received by the division shall be
exempt from disclosure to the extent allowed by article six of the
public officers law;
[(10)] (J) undertake activities to encourage business and industry to
maintain high standards of honesty, fair business practices, and public
responsibility in the production, promotion and sale of consumer goods
and services;
[(11)] (K) conduct product research and testing and, where appropri-
ate, contract with private agencies and firms for the performance of
such services;
[(12)] (L) cooperate with and assist local governments in the develop-
ment of consumer protection activities;
[(13)] (M) establish advisory councils to assist in policy formulation
on specific consumer problems;
[(14)] (N) cooperate with and assist consumers in class actions in
proper cases; [and
(15)] (O) create an internet website or webpage pursuant to section
three hundred ninety-c of the general business law[.]; AND
(P) ESTABLISH A WEBSITE OR WEBPAGE THAT INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED
TO, INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROTECTION AND RIGHTS AFFORDED TO CONSUM-
ERS UNDER STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS REGULATING DEBT COLLECTION PROCEDURES,
A SAMPLE INITIAL DEBT COLLECTION DISPUTE LETTER, A SAMPLE DEBT
COLLECTION CEASE AND DESIST LETTER, AND THE CURRENT CONTACT INFORMATION
FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.
S 13. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law, except that section
three of this act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day
after this act shall have become a law.