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Lawmakers hear compromise bill to block default judgments in consumer debt cases
Summary
Supporters and industry representatives told the Law and Justice Committee that a substituted SB 5720 would require more detailed complaints and consumer notices before courts can enter default judgments in consumer debt actions; advocates said the change would protect consumers, while industry stressed workable implementation.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Senate Law and Justice Committee heard testimony on SB 5720 on Jan. 19, a substituted bill that would implement the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act and make it harder for plaintiffs to obtain default judgments in consumer-debt lawsuits.
Ryan Giannini, staff counsel to the committee, told members the proposal would prohibit default judgments in consumer debt actions unless the complaint includes specific information about the debt, party identities and legal bases, and — in some cases — attachments that document the chain of ownership for purchased debt. The bill also would require a standardized consumer notice be served…
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