TITLE: Relating to district or county attorneys engaged in the business of debt collection; authorizing a civil penalty.

SUMMARY: Relating to district or county attorneys engaged in the business of debt collection; authorizing a civil penalty.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to district or county attorneys engaged in the business of debt collection; authorizing a civil penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 41.0051 to read as follows: Sec. 41.0051. PRIVATE DEBT COLLECTION PROHIBITED. (a) Except as provided by Section 41.005, a district or county attorney may not: (1) engage in the business of debt collection; or (2) allow a third party to use the letterhead or seal of the county, the county attorney, or the district attorney to engage in the business of debt collection. (b) A county or district attorney that violates Subsection (a) is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500. (c) The attorney general or the appropriate district or county attorney may bring an action under this section in the name of the state in a district court in: (1) Travis County; or (2) a county in which any part of the violation occurs. (d) A penalty collected under this section by the attorney general or a district or county attorney shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.