District of Columbia prohibits certain debt collection activity

State Issues District of Columbia Debt Collection Covid-19

The District of Columbia has enacted the Covid-19 Response Supplemental Emergency Amendment Act of 2020. Under the Act, among other things, for the duration of the public health emergency and 60 days after its conclusion, debt collectors are prohibited from, among other things: (i) initiating, filing, or threatening a new collection lawsuit, garnishment, seizure, attachment, or repossession; or (ii) initiating any communication with debtors via written or electronic communication, such as text, email, or telephone, subject to certain exceptions.