Legislators, consumer groups to hold press conference highlighting law preventing debt collectors from emptying accounts
SACRAMENTO – Help is on the way for Californians in debt who are seeking to protect the last of their meager savings, as a new law barring collectors from zeroing out a debtor’s account goes into effect on September 1.
State Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) successfully authored Senate Bill 616, which was signed by Governor Newsom last year. The law prevents debt collectors from seizing the last $1,788 in a person’s account. It will enable people to hold on to some funds to cover day-to-day expenses rather than become penniless. The law is supported by advocates for low-income consumers, legal aid providers and statewide progressive organizations who know it is needed now more than ever given the pandemic-induced, economic collapse.
“Families are hurting and wondering how they are going to survive financially,” Wieckowski said. “Having this law in place will give them some badly-needed security in these tough times.”
Wieckowski and the law’s supporters are holding a Zoom Press Conference to highlight the law going into effect.
WHO: Senator Bob Wieckowski, Jessica Bartholow (Policy Advocate, Western Center on Law and Poverty), Ted Mermin (Director, California Low- Income Consumer Coalition), Sharon Djemal (Director, Consumer Justice Clinic, East Bay Community Law Center), Marisabel Torres (Co-Chair, Californians for Economic Justice)
WHAT: Press Conference on debt collection law going into effect on September 1, 2020
WHERE: Zoom. (Email jeff.barbosa@sen.ca.gov for link)
WHEN: 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 25, 2020