Opinion ID: 766535
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The statutory framework: Section 110(c) and Section 107.

Text: 6 Section 110(c) 2 requires that BPPs include their SSNs on all documents filed with the bankruptcy court and authorizes the imposition of a fine in the event of noncompliance. See 11 U.S.C. S 110(c). Congress enacted this provision in 1994 as part of a larger effort to regulate nonattorney bankruptcy petition preparers: 7 [Section 110] adds a new section to chapter 1 of title 11 United States Code to create standards and penal ties pertaining to bankruptcy petition preparers. Bankruptcy petition preparers not employed or supervised by any attorney have proliferated across the country. While it is permissible for a petition pre parer to provide services solely limited to typing, far too many of them also attempt to provide legal advice and legal services to debtors. These preparers often lack the necessary legal training and ethics reg ulation to provide such services in an adequate and appropriate manner. These services may take unfair advantage of persons who are ignorant of their rights both inside and outside the bankruptcy system. 8 H.R. REP. NO. 103-835, at 56 (1994), reprinted in 1994 U.S.C.C.A.N. 3340, 3365; see also Fessenden v. Ireland (In re Hobbs), 213 B.R. 207, 210-11 (Bankr. D. Me. 1997) (discussing legislative history of S 110); 2 LAWRENCE P. KING, COLLIER ON BANKRUPTCYS 110.LH (15th ed. revised 1999) (same). 9 Ferm does not object to the bankruptcy court's collection of his SSN pursuant to S 110(c). He does, however, object to the subsequent disclosure of his SSN to the general public, an outcome that results from the fact that, by separate statutory provision, papers filed with the bankruptcy court become part of the public record. See 11 U.S.C. S 107 3 . Accordingly, we limit our inquiry today to the question of whether the disclosure of Ferm's SSN violates his constitutional or statutory rights; we express no opinion regarding whetherthe mere collection of SSNs pursuant to S 110(c) invades any legallyprotected interest of BPPs. 10