S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                   408

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 7, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of A. DINOWITZ, GOTTFRIED, GALEF, JAFFEE, ROSENTHAL,
  CAHILL, ROBINSON, COLTON, CLARK, HOOPER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of
  A. GLICK, MAGEE, PERRY, RIVERA, SCARBOROUGH -- read once and  referred
  to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection

AN  ACT to amend the general business law and the civil practice law and
  rules, in relation to debt collection agencies

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds the pres-
ence of consumer-related problems with respect to the practices of  debt
collection agencies. Federal and state laws regulate how debt collectors
may  communicate  with debtors and prohibit the use of certain threaten-
ing, deceptive and unfair  collection  practices.  Despite  these  legal
protections, the number of consumer complaints regarding debt collection
practices  continue to rise. Consumer complaints received by the Federal
Trade Commission regarding third-party  debt  collectors  grew  for  the
thirteenth  consecutive  year  in  2010,  and  consumers  filed with the
Commission more complaints against third-party collectors  than  against
any  other specific industry. While the majority of those engaged in the
business of debt collection are honest and ethical  in  their  dealings,
there  is  a  minority  of unscrupulous collection agencies in operation
that practice abusive tactics. Due to the sensitive nature of the infor-
mation used in the course of such agency's everyday  business,  and  the
vulnerable position consumers find themselves in when dealing with these
agencies,  it  is  incumbent upon this legislature to protect the inter-
ests, reputations and fiscal well-being of the citizens  of  this  state
against  those  agencies  who  would abuse their privilege of operation.
Therefore, it is herein declared that  the  state  should  license  debt
collection agencies.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD01068-01-5
              

A. 408                              2

  S  2.  The  general  business  law  is amended by adding a new article
29-HHH to read as follows:
                             ARTICLE 29-HHH
                        DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES
SECTION 604-K. DEFINITIONS.
        604-L. DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES.
        604-M. SURETY BONDING REQUIREMENT.
        604-N. PENALTIES.
        604-O. APPLICABILITY.
  S  604-K.  DEFINITIONS.  AS  USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS
SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
  1. (A) "DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY" SHALL MEAN A PERSON,  FIRM  OR  CORPO-
RATION  ENGAGED  IN BUSINESS, THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO REGU-
LARLY COLLECT OR ATTEMPT TO COLLECT DEBTS OWED OR DUE OR ASSERTED TO  BE
OWED OR DUE TO ANOTHER AND SHALL ALSO INCLUDE A BUYER OF DELINQUENT DEBT
WHO  SEEKS  TO COLLECT SUCH DEBT EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THE SERVICES
OF ANOTHER BY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INITIATING OR  USING  LEGAL
PROCESSES OR OTHER MEANS TO COLLECT OR ATTEMPT TO COLLECT SUCH DEBT.
  (B) THE TERM DOES NOT INCLUDE: (I) ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF A CREDI-
TOR WHILE, IN THE NAME OF THE CREDITOR, COLLECTING DEBTS FOR SUCH CREDI-
TOR;
  (II) ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY;
  (III)  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;
  (IV) ANY PERSON WHILE SERVING OR ATTEMPTING TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS  ON
ANY  OTHER  PERSON  IN  CONNECTION  WITH THE JUDICIAL ENFORCEMENT OF ANY
DEBT;
  (V) ANY ATTORNEY-AT-LAW OR LAW FIRM COLLECTING A DEBT IN SUCH CAPACITY
ON BEHALF OF AND IN THE NAME OF A CLIENT SOLELY THROUGH ACTIVITIES  THAT
MAY   ONLY   BE   PERFORMED   BY   A  LICENSED  ATTORNEY,  BUT  NOT  ANY
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW OR LAW FIRM OR PART THEREOF  WHO  REGULARLY  ENGAGES  IN
ACTIVITIES  TRADITIONALLY  PERFORMED  BY DEBT COLLECTORS, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, CONTACTING A DEBTOR THROUGH THE MAIL  OR  VIA  TELEPHONE
WITH  THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTING A DEBT OR OTHER ACTIVITIES AS DETERMINED
BY RULE OF THE SECRETARY;
  (VI) ANY PERSON EMPLOYED BY A UTILITY REGULATED UNDER  THE  PROVISIONS
OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW, ACTING FOR SUCH UTILITY;
  (VII)  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;
  (VIII) 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;
  (IX)  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; OR

A. 408                              3

  (X) ANY PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION ENGAGED IN BUSINESS, THE PRINCIPAL
PURPOSE  OF  WHICH  IS  TO REGULARLY COLLECT OR ATTEMPT TO COLLECT DEBTS
OWED OR DUE OR ASSERTED TO BE OWED OR DUE TO ANOTHER  PERSON  WHERE  THE
DEBT  IS  ENFORCED  FOR  CHILD  SUPPORT, SPOUSAL SUPPORT, MAINTENANCE OR
ALIMONY,  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  THAT  IF SUCH PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION
ALSO REGULARLY COLLECTS OR ATTEMPTS TO COLLECT DEBTS  OTHER  THAN  THOSE
ENFORCED  FOR  CHILD  SUPPORT,  SPOUSAL SUPPORT, MAINTENANCE OR ALIMONY,
SUCH PERSON MUST COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE.
  2. "CONSUMER" MEANS ANY NATURAL PERSON OBLIGATED  OR  ALLEGEDLY  OBLI-
GATED TO PAY ANY DEBT.
  3.  "DEBT" MEANS ANY OBLIGATION OR ALLEGED OBLIGATION OF A CONSUMER TO
PAY MONEY ARISING OUT OF A TRANSACTION IN  WHICH  THE  MONEY,  PROPERTY,
INSURANCE,  OR  SERVICES  WHICH  ARE  THE SUBJECT OF THE TRANSACTION ARE
PRIMARILY FOR PERSONAL, FAMILY, OR HOUSEHOLD PURPOSES,  WHETHER  OR  NOT
SUCH OBLIGATION HAS BEEN REDUCED TO JUDGMENT.
  4. "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
  5. "DIVISION" MEANS THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES.
  6. "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
  S  604-L.  DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES. 1. ON OR AFTER OCTOBER FIRST, TWO
THOUSAND SIXTEEN, NO PERSON SHALL ACT AS A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY  WITH-
OUT FIRST HAVING OBTAINED A LICENSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS  ARTICLE,  AND  WITHOUT  FIRST  BEING  IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL OTHER
APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS.
  2. (A) ALL LICENSES ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE VALID FOR
TWO YEARS UNLESS SOONER SUSPENDED OR REVOKED. THE SECRETARY SHALL ESTAB-
LISH BY REGULATION THE EXPIRATION DATE OF SUCH LICENSES.
  (B) THE FEE FOR A LICENSE OR RENEWAL THEREOF  SHALL  BE  FIVE  HUNDRED
DOLLARS.
  3.  (A)  EACH  PERSON APPLYING FOR A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY LICENSE OR
RENEWAL THEREOF SHALL FILE AN APPLICATION IN SUCH FORM AND DETAIL AS THE
SECRETARY MAY PRESCRIBE AND SHALL PAY THE FEE REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
  (B) IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED, THE SECRETARY SHALL
REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION, AND SHALL,  AS  APPROPRIATE,  REQUIRE
SUCH  INFORMATION NOT ONLY OF THE APPLICANT BUT ALSO OF ANY OF ITS PRIN-
CIPALS, PARTNERS, OFFICERS  AND  DIRECTORS,  OR  ANY  PERSON  OR  ENTITY
CONTROLLING AN INTEREST GREATER THAN TEN PERCENT:
  (I) THE NAME AND RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF THE APPLICANT;
  (II) THE BUSINESS NAME, IF OTHER THAN APPLICANT;
  (III)  THE PLACE, INCLUDING THE CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE, WITH THE STREET
AND NUMBER, WHERE THE BUSINESS IS TO BE LOCATED;
  (IV) THE BUSINESS TELEPHONE OF THE APPLICANT;
  (V) THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN A  DEBT  COLLECTION
AGENCY;
  (VI) A STATEMENT INDICATING WHETHER THE APPLICANT HAS:
  (A)  BEEN  CONVICTED  OF  ANY CRIME OR IS A DEBTOR ON ANY UNPAID CIVIL
JUDGMENT RELATING TO WORK AS A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY; AND
  (B) AT ANY TIME IN THE PAST BEEN ISSUED A  LICENSE  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
ARTICLE,  OR HAS BEEN ISSUED A LICENSE FOR DEBT COLLECTION ACTIVITIES BY
ANY OTHER STATE OR LOCAL AUTHORITY, AND IF SO, WHETHER SUCH LICENSE  WAS
EVER REVOKED OR SUSPENDED;
  (VII)  A  DETAILED  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE BUSINESS PRACTICES OR METHODS
USED, OR INTENDED TO BE USED, BY THE APPLICANT TO CONFIRM  THE  VALIDITY
OF THE DEBTS IT SEEKS TO COLLECT FROM CONSUMERS;
  (VIII)  A SUMMARY OF THE APPLICANT'S RECORD-KEEPING POLICY, INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

A. 408                              4

  (A) THE LENGTH OF TIME THE APPLICANT MAINTAINS, OR  INTENDS  TO  MAIN-
TAIN, RECORDS PERTAINING TO CONSUMERS; AND
  (B)  THE  MANNER IN WHICH THE APPLICANT RECORDS AND STORES, OR INTENDS
TO RECORD AND STORE: CONSUMER CHALLENGES TO THE VALIDITY OF DEBT;  BILL-
ING ERRORS; PAYMENTS MADE BY A CONSUMER; SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS; INFORMA-
TION  REGARDING  PARTIES  RESPONSIBLE FOR DEBT; ANY STATEMENTS MADE BY A
CONSUMER ALLEGING THAT THE DEBT  AROSE  FROM  IDENTITY  THEFT;  AND  ANY
STATEMENTS  MADE BY A CONSUMER STATING THAT THE CONSUMER RECEIVED STATU-
TORILY EXEMPT INCOME AS DEFINED IN SECTION FIFTY-TWO HUNDRED  TWENTY-TWO
OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES;
  (IX) WHETHER THE APPLICANT REGULARLY SELLS, OR INTENDS TO SELL, DEBTS.
IF  THE  APPLICANT SELLS, OR INTENDS TO SELL DEBTS, SUCH APPLICANT SHALL
BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE SECRETARY WITH A SUMMARY OF  THE  APPLICANT'S
POLICY  WITH  RESPECT  TO THE INFORMATION REGARDING A CONSUMER'S ACCOUNT
THAT IT TRANSMITS, OR WILL TRANSMIT, TO THE PURCHASER OF A DEBT; AND
  (X) A SWORN STATEMENT BY THE APPLICANT THAT THE INFORMATION SET  FORTH
IN THE APPLICATION IS CURRENT AND ACCURATE.
  (C)  AN APPLICANT WHO IS A NON-RESIDENT OF THE STATE SHALL PROVIDE THE
NAME AND ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED AGENT WITHIN THE STATE OR DESIGNATE THE
SECRETARY AS HIS OR HER AGENT UPON WHOM PROCESS  OR  OTHER  NOTIFICATION
MAY BE SERVED.
  4.  IN  DETERMINING WHETHER TO ISSUE OR RENEW A LICENSE, THE SECRETARY
SHALL CONSIDER THE CHARACTER, COMPETENCY AND INTEGRITY OF THE APPLICANT.
THE SECRETARY MAY REFUSE TO ISSUE OR RENEW A LICENSE TO ANY PERSON, FIRM
OR CORPORATION WHOM HE OR SHE FINDS HAS: (A) BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY CRIME
DEFINED IN ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE OF THE PENAL  LAW  OR  ARTICLE
TWENTY-TWO-A  OF  THIS CHAPTER OR FAILED TO PAY ANY FINAL CIVIL JUDGMENT
RELATING TO WORK AS A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY, IF SUCH  REFUSAL,  IN  THE
JUDGMENT  OF THE SECRETARY, BEST PROMOTES THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF
THIS STATE; OR
  (B) VIOLATED ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE-H OF THIS CHAPTER OR THE FEDERAL FAIR
DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT (15 USC S 1692 ET SEQ.).
  ALL DETERMINATIONS BY THE SECRETARY TO ISSUE OR RENEW A LICENSE  SHALL
BE  MADE  IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION SIXTEEN OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED
NINETY-SIX OF THE  EXECUTIVE  LAW  AND  ARTICLE  TWENTY-THREE-A  OF  THE
CORRECTION LAW.
  5.  NOTICE IN WRITING IN THE MANNER AND FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPART-
MENT SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE DEPARTMENT AT ITS OFFICES  IN  ALBANY  WITHIN
TEN DAYS OF CHANGES OF NAME OR ADDRESS BY LICENSED DEBT COLLECTION AGEN-
CIES.  THE FEE FOR FILING EACH CHANGE OF NAME OR ADDRESS NOTICE SHALL BE
TEN DOLLARS.
  6. THE FEES ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE REFUNDABLE.
  7.  EACH  DEBT  COLLECTION  AGENCY  ENGAGED  IN COLLECTING DEBTS SHALL
COMMUNICATE HIS OR HER LICENSE NUMBER UPON THE REQUEST OF ANY INTERESTED
PARTY. ANY ADVERTISEMENT, LETTERHEAD, RECEIPT OR OTHER PRINTED MATTER OF
A LICENSEE MUST CONTAIN THE LICENSE NUMBER ASSIGNED TO THE  LICENSEE  BY
THE  DEPARTMENT.  SUCH LICENSE NUMBER SHALL BE CLEARLY AND CONSPICUOUSLY
DISPLAYED.
  8. NO PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION SHALL: (A) PRESENT,  OR  ATTEMPT  TO
PRESENT, AS HIS, HER OR ITS OWN, THE LICENSE NUMBER OF ANOTHER;
  (B)  KNOWINGLY GIVE FALSE EVIDENCE OF A MATERIAL NATURE TO THE DEPART-
MENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROCURING A LICENSE;
  (C) FALSELY REPRESENT THEMSELVES TO  BE  A  LICENSED  DEBT  COLLECTION
AGENCY;
  (D) USE OR ATTEMPT TO USE A LICENSE WHICH HAS EXPIRED;

A. 408                              5

  (E) OFFER TO PERFORM OR PERFORM ANY COLLECTION OF DEBTS WITHOUT HAVING
A CURRENT LICENSE AS IS REQUIRED UNDER THIS ARTICLE; OR
  (F)  REPRESENT  IN ANY MANNER THAT HIS, HER OR ITS LICENSE CONSTITUTES
AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP OR COMPETENCY OF  THE  DEBT
COLLECTION AGENCY.
  9. LICENSES ISSUED TO DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES SHALL NOT BE TRANSFERA-
BLE OR ASSIGNABLE.
  10.  THE  SECRETARY  SHALL  ISSUE EACH DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY A UNIQUE
LICENSE NUMBER.
  11. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL  MAINTAIN  AND  PUBLISH  A  REGISTRY  OF  ALL
LICENSED  DEBT  COLLECTION  AGENCIES, WHICH SHALL LIST AND IDENTIFY, ALL
LICENSED DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES DOING  BUSINESS  IN  THIS  STATE.  THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE THE REGISTRY AVAILABLE ON ITS WEBSITE.
  12.  (A) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS AS HE OR
SHE MAY DETERMINE ARE NECESSARY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION  AND  ENFORCEMENT
OF   THIS  ARTICLE,  AND  SHALL  PROVIDE  WRITTEN  NOTIFICATION  OF  THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE TO  ALL  DEBT  COLLECTION  AGENCIES  LICENSED
PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
  (B)  IN  ADDITION TO ANY OTHER POWERS OF THE SECRETARY, NOT IN LIMITA-
TION THEREOF, HE OR SHE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ENFORCE  THE  PROVISIONS
OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  TO INVESTIGATE ANY VIOLATION THEREOF, TO INVESTIGATE
THE BUSINESS, BUSINESS  PRACTICES  AND  BUSINESS  METHODS  OF  ANY  DEBT
COLLECTION  AGENCY, AND TO CONDUCT ROUTINE EXAMINATIONS OF THE FINANCIAL
SOLVENCY OF ANY DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY, IF IN THE OPINION OF THE  SECRE-
TARY,   SUCH  INVESTIGATION  OR  EXAMINATION  IS  WARRANTED.  EACH  DEBT
COLLECTION AGENCY SHALL BE OBLIGED,  ON  REQUEST  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OF
STATE,  TO  SUPPLY  SUCH INFORMATION, BOOKS, PAPERS OR RECORDS AS MAY BE
REQUIRED CONCERNING HIS, HER OR  ITS  BUSINESS,  BUSINESS  PRACTICES  OR
BUSINESS  METHODS, OR PROPOSED BUSINESS PRACTICES OR METHODS. FAILURE TO
COMPLY WITH A LAWFUL REQUEST OF THE SECRETARY  SHALL  BE  A  GROUND  FOR
DENYING  AN  APPLICATION  FOR A LICENSE, OR FOR REVOKING, SUSPENDING, OR
FAILING TO RENEW A LICENSE  ISSUED UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
  (C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE  POWER  TO  REVOKE  OR  SUSPEND  ANY
LICENSE,  OR  IN LIEU THEREOF TO IMPOSE A FINE NOT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED
DOLLARS NOR MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS PER  VIOLATION  OR  INSTANCE,
PAYABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT, OR REPRIMAND ANY LICENSEE OR DENY AN APPLICA-
TION FOR A LICENSE OR RENEWAL THEREOF UPON PROOF:
  (I)  THAT THE APPLICANT OR LICENSEE HAS VIOLATED ANY OF THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS ARTICLE OR THE RULES AND  REGULATIONS  PROMULGATED  PURSUANT  TO
THIS ARTICLE;
  (II)  THAT  THE  APPLICANT  OR LICENSEE HAS PRACTICED FRAUD, DECEIT OR
MISREPRESENTATION;
  (III) THAT THE APPLICANT OR LICENSEE HAS MADE A MATERIAL  MISSTATEMENT
IN THE APPLICATION FOR OR RENEWAL OF HIS OR HER LICENSE; OR
  (IV)  THAT  THE APPLICANT OR LICENSEE HAS DEMONSTRATED INCOMPETENCE OR
UNTRUSTWORTHINESS IN HIS OR HER ACTIONS.
  13. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BEFORE DENYING AN APPLICATION FOR  A  LICENSE
OR  BEFORE  REVOKING  OR SUSPENDING ANY LICENSE, OR IMPOSING ANY FINE OR
REPRIMAND, AND AT LEAST FIFTEEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE SET FOR THE HEAR-
ING, AND UPON DUE NOTICE TO THE COMPLAINANT OR OBJECTOR, NOTIFY IN WRIT-
ING THE APPLICANT, OR THE HOLDER OF SUCH LICENSE, OF ANY CHARGE MADE AND
SHALL AFFORD SUCH APPLICANT OR LICENSEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO  BE  HEARD  IN
PERSON  OR  BY  COUNSEL IN REFERENCE THERETO. SUCH WRITTEN NOTICE MAY BE
SERVED PERSONALLY TO THE APPLICANT OR LICENSEE, OR BY CERTIFIED MAIL  TO
THE LAST KNOWN BUSINESS ADDRESS OF SUCH APPLICANT OR LICENSEE.

A. 408                              6

  14. THE HEARING ON SUCH CHARGES SHALL BE AT SUCH TIME AND PLACE AS THE
DEPARTMENT  SHALL  PRESCRIBE  AND  SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY SUCH OFFICER OR
PERSON IN THE DEPARTMENT AS THE SECRETARY MAY DESIGNATE, WHO SHALL  HAVE
THE  POWER TO SUBPOENA AND BRING BEFORE THE OFFICER, OR PERSON SO DESIG-
NATED,  ANY  PERSON  IN  THIS  STATE  AND ADMINISTER AN OATH TO AND TAKE
TESTIMONY OF ANY PERSON OR CAUSE HIS OR HER DEPOSITION TO  BE  TAKEN.  A
SUBPOENA ISSUED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE REGULATED BY THE CIVIL PRAC-
TICE  LAW AND RULES. SUCH OFFICER OR PERSON IN THE DEPARTMENT DESIGNATED
TO TAKE SUCH TESTIMONY SHALL NOT BE BOUND BY  COMMON  LAW  OR  STATUTORY
RULES OF EVIDENCE OR BY TECHNICAL OR FORMAL RULES OF PROCEDURE.
  15.  IN  THE EVENT THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DENY THE APPLICATION FOR,
OR REVOKE OR SUSPEND ANY SUCH LICENSE, OR IMPOSE ANY FINE OR  REPRIMAND,
ITS  DETERMINATION  SHALL  BE  IN  WRITING  AND  OFFICIALLY  SIGNED. THE
ORIGINAL OF SUCH DETERMINATIONS, WHEN SO SIGNED, SHALL BE FILED  IN  THE
OFFICE  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  AND  COPIES  THEREOF SHALL BE MAILED TO THE
APPLICANT OR LICENSEE AND TO THE COMPLAINANT WITHIN TWO DAYS AFTER  SUCH
FILING.
  16.  THE  DEPARTMENT,  ACTING  BY  THE  OFFICE OR PERSON DESIGNATED TO
CONDUCT THE HEARING PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THIRTEEN OF THIS SECTION  OR
BY  SUCH  OTHER  OFFICER OR PERSON IN THE DEPARTMENT AS THE SECRETARY OF
STATE MAY DESIGNATE, SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO SUSPEND THE LICENSE OF  ANY
LICENSEE  WHO  HAS  BEEN  CONVICTED  IN THIS STATE OR ANY OTHER STATE OR
TERRITORY OF A FELONY OR OF ANY MISDEMEANOR FOR A PERIOD  NOT  EXCEEDING
THIRTY  DAYS  PENDING  A  HEARING  AND  A  DETERMINATION OF CHARGES MADE
AGAINST HIM OR HER. IF SUCH HEARING IS ADJOURNED AT THE REQUEST  OF  THE
LICENSEE, OR BY REASON OF ANY ACT OR OMISSION BY HIM OR HER OR ON HIS OR
HER  BEHALF,  SUCH SUSPENSION MAY BE CONTINUED FOR THE ADDITIONAL PERIOD
OF SUCH ADJOURNMENT.
  17. THE ACTION OF THE DEPARTMENT IN GRANTING OR REFUSING TO  GRANT  OR
TO  RENEW  A  LICENSE UNDER THIS ARTICLE OR IN REVOKING OR SUSPENDING OR
REFUSING TO REVOKE OR SUSPEND SUCH A LICENSE OR  IMPOSING  ANY  FINE  OR
REPRIMAND  SHALL  BE  SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY A PROCEEDING INSTITUTED UNDER
ARTICLE SEVENTY-EIGHT OF  THE  CIVIL  PRACTICE  LAW  AND  RULES  AT  THE
INSTANCE  OF  THE APPLICANT FOR SUCH LICENSE, THE HOLDER OF A LICENSE SO
REVOKED, SUSPENDED, FINED OR REPRIMANDED.
  18. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE, LICENSEES MAY BE HELD RESPONSIBLE
FOR STATEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS, PROMISES OR ACTS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES  OR
THEIR  AGENTS  WITHIN  THE  SCOPE OF THEIR AUTHORITY; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT LICENSEES SHALL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR STATEMENTS, REPRESENTA-
TIONS, PROMISES OR ACTS WHICH ARE  CONTRARY  TO  INSTRUCTIONS  OR  WHICH
CONSTITUTE  GROSS  NEGLIGENCE  OR  INTENTIONAL TORTS UNLESS SPECIFICALLY
AUTHORIZED BY THE LICENSEE.
  19. (A) ANY PERSON, FIRM  OR  CORPORATION  THAT  OPERATES  AS  A  DEBT
COLLECTION  AGENCY  WITHOUT  A  LICENSE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A CIVIL
PENALTY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NOT MORE  THAN  FIVE  HUNDRED  DOLLARS  PER
ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION.
  (B)  IN  ADDITION TO ANY OTHER PENALTIES, IF A PERSON IS FOUND TO HAVE
COMMITTED REPEATED, MULTIPLE OR PERSISTENT VIOLATIONS OF  ANY  PROVISION
OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  SUCH  PERSON  MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE
DEPARTMENT'S INVESTIGATION.
  S 604-M. SURETY BONDING REQUIREMENT. 1. AS A CONDITION OF OBTAINING  A
LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, EVERY DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY APPLICANT
WHO  IS APPLYING FOR A LICENSE AND EMPLOYS BETWEEN ONE AND FOUR INDIVID-
UALS ENGAGED IN THE COLLECTION OF DEBTS SHALL  OBTAIN  AND  CONTINUE  IN
FULL  FORCE  AND  EFFECT  A  BOND, CONTRACT OF INDEMNITY, OR IRREVOCABLE

A. 408                              7

LETTER OF CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT OF TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BE FILED  WITH
THE SECRETARY.
  2.  AS  A  CONDITION  TO OBTAINING A LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE,
EVERY DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY APPLICANT WHO IS APPLYING FOR A LICENSE AND
EMPLOYS BETWEEN FIVE AND NINE INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN THE  COLLECTION  OF
DEBTS  SHALL  OBTAIN  AND  CONTINUE  IN  FULL  FORCE  AND EFFECT A BOND,
CONTRACT OF INDEMNITY, OR IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT  OF
TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BE FILED WITH THE SECRETARY.
  3.  AS  A  CONDITION  TO OBTAINING A LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE,
EVERY DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY APPLICANT WHO IS APPLYING FOR A LICENSE AND
EMPLOYS BETWEEN TEN AND TWENTY INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN THE COLLECTION  OF
DEBTS  SHALL  OBTAIN  AND  CONTINUE  IN  FULL  FORCE  AND EFFECT A BOND,
CONTRACT OF INDEMNITY, OR IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT  OF
FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BE FILED WITH THE SECRETARY.
  4.  AS  A  CONDITION  TO OBTAINING A LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE,
EVERY DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY APPLICANT WHO IS APPLYING FOR A LICENSE AND
EMPLOYS TWENTY OR MORE INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN THE  COLLECTION  OF  DEBTS
SHALL  OBTAIN  AND CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT A BOND, CONTRACT OF
INDEMNITY,  OR  IRREVOCABLE  LETTER  OF  CREDIT,  IN   THE   AMOUNT   OF
SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BE FILED WITH THE SECRETARY.
  5.  SUCH  SURETY BOND, CONTRACT OF INDEMNITY, OR IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF
CREDIT SHALL BE CONDITIONED THAT THE APPLICANT  WILL  COMPLY  WITH  THIS
ARTICLE, ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE-H, AND ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE-HH OF THIS CHAP-
TER  AND PAY ALL CIVIL PENALTIES, FINES, OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED BY
THE SECRETARY OR A COURT OF LAW,  INVESTIGATORY  COSTS  REQUIRED  TO  BE
PAID,  OR ANY FINAL JUDGMENT AGAINST THE LICENSEE PURSUANT TO SUCH ARTI-
CLES.
  6. THE TOTAL LIABILITY IMPOSED ON THE SURETY BOND UNDER  THIS  SECTION
FOR  ALL BREACHES OF THE BOND CONDITION IS LIMITED TO THE FACE AMOUNT OF
THE BOND. SUCH LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE  AMOUNT  OF  THE  PENALTY  OR
INVESTIGATORY COSTS. IN NO EVENT WILL THE SURETY ON A BOND BE LIABLE FOR
TOTAL  CLAIMS  IN EXCESS OF THE BOND AMOUNT, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OR
NATURE OF CLAIMS MADE AGAINST THE BOND OR THE NUMBER OF YEARS  THE  BOND
REMAINED IN FORCE.
  7. ANY SURETY ISSUING A BOND PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND ANY LICENSEE
SHALL  BE  REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THIRTY DAYS NOTICE TO THE SECRETARY PRIOR
TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF CANCELLATION OF THE BOND. THE FAILURE TO  MAIN-
TAIN  SUCH  A  BOND  SHALL  OPERATE  TO  REVOKE  THE LICENSE OF THE DEBT
COLLECTION AGENCY UPON NOTICE AND HEARING.
  S 604-N. PENALTIES. 1.  WHEREVER THERE SHALL BE A  VIOLATION  OF  THIS
ARTICLE,  AN APPLICATION MAY BE MADE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE NAME
OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO  A  COURT  OR  JUSTICE  HAVING
JURISDICTION  BY  A  SPECIAL PROCEEDING TO ISSUE AN INJUNCTION, AND UPON
NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT OF  NOT  LESS  THAN  FIVE  DAYS,  TO  ENJOIN  OR
RESTRAIN  THE  CONTINUANCE  OF SUCH VIOLATION; AND IF IT SHALL APPEAR TO
THE SATISFACTION OF THE COURT OR JUSTICE  THAT  THE  DEFENDANT  HAS,  IN
FACT,  VIOLATED  THIS SECTION, AN INJUNCTION MAY BE ISSUED BY SUCH COURT
OR JUSTICE, ENJOINING AND RESTRAINING  ANY  FURTHER  VIOLATION,  WITHOUT
REQUIRING  PROOF  THAT  ANY PERSON HAS, IN FACT, BEEN INJURED OR DAMAGED
THEREBY. IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING, THE COURT MAY MAKE  ALLOWANCES  TO  THE
ATTORNEY  GENERAL  AS  PROVIDED  IN  PARAGRAPH SIX OF SUBDIVISION (A) OF
SECTION EIGHTY-THREE HUNDRED THREE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND  RULES,
AND  DIRECT  RESTITUTION.  WHENEVER  THE  COURT  SHALL  DETERMINE THAT A
VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION HAS OCCURRED, THE COURT  MAY  IMPOSE  A  CIVIL
PENALTY  OF NOT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS NOR MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS FOR EACH VIOLATION. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH PROPOSED  APPLI-

A. 408                              8

CATION,  THE  ATTORNEY  GENERAL  IS  AUTHORIZED TO TAKE PROOF AND MAKE A
DETERMINATION OF THE RELEVANT FACTS AND TO ISSUE SUBPOENAS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
  2. ANY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT
BY  A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY THAT IS NOT LICENSED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTI-
CLE MAY BRING AN ACTION IN HIS OR HER OWN NAME TO ENJOIN  SUCH  UNLAWFUL
ACT OR PRACTICE, AN ACTION TO RECOVER HIS OR HER ACTUAL DAMAGES OR THREE
THOUSAND  FIVE  HUNDRED  DOLLARS,  WHICHEVER  IS  GREATER,  OR BOTH SUCH
ACTIONS. THE COURT MAY, IN ITS DISCRETION, INCREASE THE AWARD OF DAMAGES
TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THREE TIMES THE  ACTUAL  DAMAGES  UP  TO  TEN
THOUSAND  DOLLARS,  IF  THE COURT FINDS THE DEFENDANT WILLFULLY VIOLATED
THIS ARTICLE. IN THE CASE OF ANY SUCCESSFUL ACTION TO ENFORCE THE  FORE-
GOING  LIABILITY,  THE  COURT MAY AWARD THE COSTS OF THE ACTION TOGETHER
WITH REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES.
  S 604-O. APPLICABILITY. 1. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN  SUBDIVISION  TWO  OF
THIS  SECTION,  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL EXCLUSIVELY GOVERN
THE LICENSING OF DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS
OF ANY OTHER LAW TO THE CONTRARY AND FURTHER,  NO  LOCAL  LAW  SHALL  BE
ENACTED  WHICH  SHALL  REQUIRE  ANY  FEE OR LICENSE FOR THE LICENSURE OR
REGISTRATION OF DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES.
  2. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO  LIMIT  IN
ANY WAY THE AUTHORITY OF A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION TO ENACT, IMPLEMENT AND
CONTINUE  TO  ENFORCE LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE LICENSURE
OR REGISTRATION OF DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES THAT WERE IN EFFECT PRIOR TO
THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE, OR TO ENACT, IMPLEMENT  AND  ENFORCE
ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO.
  S 3. Subdivision (e) of rule 3015 of the civil practice law and rules,
as  amended  by  chapter  21  of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as
follows:
  (e) License to do business. Where  the  plaintiff's  cause  of  action
against  a  consumer  arises  from the plaintiff's conduct of a business
which is required by state or local law to be licensed by the department
of consumer affairs of the city of New York, the Suffolk county  depart-
ment  of consumer affairs, the Westchester county department of consumer
affairs/weight-measures, the county of Rockland, the  county  of  Putnam
[or], the Nassau county department of consumer affairs OR THE DEPARTMENT
OF    STATE  PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE-HHH OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS
LAW, the complaint shall allege, as part of the cause  of  action,  that
plaintiff  was  duly licensed at the time of services rendered and shall
contain the name and number, if any, of such  license  and  the  govern-
mental agency which issued such license. The failure of the plaintiff to
comply  with  this  subdivision  will  permit  the defendant to move for
dismissal pursuant to paragraph seven of subdivision (a) of  rule  thir-
ty-two hundred eleven of this chapter.
  S 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediate-
ly,  the  addition,  amendment  and/or  repeal of any rule or regulation
necessary for the implementation of this act on its  effective  date  is
authorized  and  directed  to  be  made  and completed on or before such
effective date.