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04/19/2024 12:08 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=16229
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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 29, 2014 11:33 AM
From: Representative Chris Ross
To: All House members
Subject: Check Cashing Licensing Act & Consumer Discount Company Act - Former HB 1361 and HB 1362
 
In the near future, I will be reintroducing two bills, the first will amend the Check Cashing Licensing Act and the second will amend the Consumer Discount Company Act. The intent of these two bills is to stretch the consumer’s dollars, ensure consumers are informed, and protect consumers from potential abuses by eliminating one day loans and one week loans.

As you know, the Check Cashing Licensing Act of 1998 required the Department of Banking and Securities to issue a report three years after the effective date. Based on the Department’s recommendations to improve the act, I am proposing to lower the fee for a government assistance check, and expand the definition to include all governmental checks.

Check cashers will be required to post a notice of exact fees and charges, in plain view and in a location readily apparent to the consumer, so that an informed decision can be made.

Currently the Department is requiring check cashers and retail food stores that cash checks to be registered under the National Mortgage Licensing System, placing an undue burden on many small businesses. My legislation would clarify that this registration should not apply to those who are not marketing mortgages, but merely cashing checks. Although this legislation lifts the requirement for these check cashers to register under the National Mortgage Licensing System, they will still be licensed and regulated by the Department.

The Consumer Discount Company law currently has no minimum contract timeframe, so loans can be as short as one hour. I am proposing a minimum of 10 business days for a loan contract; this will protect consumers from signing a one day or one week loan and allow borrowers to pay equal installments at regular intervals over a determined number of weeks, months or years.

I hope you will consider joining me in support of this important legislation. If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact my office at 3-1574.



Document #1

Introduced as HB460

Description: Former HB 1361 - Check Cashing Licensing Act

Previous Cosponsors: ROSS, R. MILLER, GINGRICH, MOUL, CALTAGIRONE and KORTZ
 

Document #2

Introduced as HB459

Description: Former HB 1362 - Consumer Discount Company Act

Previous Cosponsors:  ROSS, R. MILLER, GINGRICH, MOUL, COHEN, CALTAGIRONE, MURT and KORTZ