Testimony of Andrea Bopp Stark, National Consumer Law Center, to Massachusetts Legislative Committee of the Judiciary in Support of H1694/ S1147 — An Act Providing Civil Legal Remedies for Victims of Economic Abuse This bill establishes a legal process for victims of coerced debt, including survivors of domestic abuse, to find relief and restore their…
Testimony of National Consumer Law Center and Greater Boston Legal Services in support of S1071/H 1983 – An Act relative to unlawful practices in the servicing and foreclosure of a subordinate mortgage.
Read More about Written Testimony in Support of Massachusetts Zombie Second Mortgage Bill
This testimony describes why we recommend that consumer protection for financial products and services be consolidated within a new federal Consumer Financial Protection Agency. A review of the history of consumer protection by the Federal Reserve and the other banking agencies demonstrates consistent inattention, at best, and opposition, at worst, to the needs of consumers.…
This presentation covers the basics of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) [formerly referred to in MA as LIHEAP] and walks through important updates and changes to expect in HEAP and weatherization for the 2025-2026 program year. In addition, the speakers go through some best practices for the application process as well as common errors…
Each year, Massachusetts publishes a brochure with key information on the state’s HEAP cold relief efforts.
Read More about Massachusetts HEAP Cold Relief Brochure '25-'26
Coerced debt occurs when an abuser either fraudulently opens accounts in the victim’s name or coerces the victim into taking on debt they would not have otherwise obtained. This can be done by using threats, manipulation, or even physical force.
This is a comment from fifty-two (52) consumer, economic justice, privacy, and advocacy groups to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking reconsidering its final Personal Financial Data Rights rule implementing section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The comment strongly supports the current 1033 Rule as issued in October 2024 and…
Read More about Coalition Comment Urging CFPB to Keep a Strong Personal Financial Data Rights Rule
Summary of NCLC’s opposition to proposed NPRM that would eliminate TCPA regulations requiring callers maintain a company specific do-not-call list and honor do-not-call requests.
S.1071 / H.1983: An Act relative to unlawful practices in the servicing and foreclosure of a subordinate mortgage provides a crucial lifeline for these homeowners. This legislation targets the predatory practices of zombie second mortgage investors and protects homeowners from unfair and deceptive tactics. It brings transparency and accountability to a system that has allowed…
Read More about Fact Sheet: Protecting Massachusetts Homeowners from Zombie Second Mortgages
Many jails and prisons charge various fees, such as medical co-pays, emergency fees, prescription co-pays, medical device fees, and fees for necessary hygiene items. This issue brief discusses the problems caused by such fees and proposes state solutions.
Read More about What States Can Do About Medical Debt in Jails and Prisons
NCLC strongly supports IDFPR’s proposed regulations to regulate shared appreciation agreements (also known as HEI loans). But we also have a number of suggestions for making the rules clearer and stronger.
In a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, 9 national consumer advocacy organizations urge that the proposed repeal of critical TCPA consumer protections NOT be included in the NPRM to be voted on at the next FCC Open Meeting.
Read More about Coalition Letter to FCC Chairman Carr Regarding Critical Protections from Robocalls
