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H.R. 1491 117th Congress House

Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act

Official title: To amend the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to provide enhanced protection against debt collector harassment of members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 2, 2021 Introduced by: Madeleine Dean Democratic · Pennsylvania See on congress.gov
Finance and Financial Sector Congressional oversightConsumer creditCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDebt collection
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Government studies and investigationsIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationMilitary lawMilitary personnel and dependentsMilitary readinessNational Guard and reserves
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 10 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 22, 2021
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Apr 20, 2021
Pursuant to section 6 of H. Res. 330, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 367; H.R. 370; H.R. 396; H.R. 397, as amended; H.R. 408; H.R. 490; H.R. 965, as amended; H.R. 1251, as amended; H.R. 1395; H.R. 1491; H.R. 1528; H.R. 1532; H.R. 1565; H.R. 1602; and H.R. 2523, as amended; and the following resolution was agreed to under suspension of the rules: H. Res. 124, as amended. (consideration: CR H1979-1994; text: CR H1988)
Apr 20, 2021
Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 6 of H. Res. 330, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 367; H.R. 370; H.R. 396; H.R. 397, as amended; H.R. 408; H.R. 490; H.R. 965, as amended; H.R. 1251, as amended; H.R. 1395; H.R. 1491; H.R. 1528; H.R. 1532; H.R. 1565; H.R. 1602; and H.R. 2523, as amended; and the following resolution was agreed to under suspension of the rules: H. Res. 124, as amended.(consideration: CR H1979-1994; text: CR H1988)
Apr 20, 2021
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 330, proceedings on H.R. 1491 are considered vacated.
Apr 19, 2021
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Apr 19, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1491.
Apr 19, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1908-1909; text: CR H1908)
Apr 19, 2021
Ms. Pressley moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Mar 2, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 2, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 22, 2021

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act

This bill prohibits a debt collector from representing to service members that failure to cooperate with a debt collector will result in a reduction of rank, a revocation of security clearance, or military prosecution. The Government Accountability Office must report on the impact of this prohibition on the timely delivery of information to service members, military readiness, and national security.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HRES 330 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 51) to provide for the admission of the State of Washington, D.C. into th…
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 5
All 5 Democratic 2 Republican 2
D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · Apr 14, 2021
Bass, Karen
· Mar 16, 2021
 R
Davidson, Warren
Ohio · Mar 8, 2021
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Mar 8, 2021
 D
Williams, Nikema
Georgia · Mar 8, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1491: Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1491/
MLA
"H.R. 1491: Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1491/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1491, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1491/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1491: Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1491/)
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