Consumer Protection - Identity Theft Debt
Sponsor: Elizabeth Embry (District 43A)Committee: JudiciarySubject: Commercial Law - Consumer ProtectionStatus: Hearing 3/11 at 2:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Authorizing a consumer to send certain notice relating to alleged identity theft debt to a creditor; requiring a creditor to conduct a certain investigation following receipt of notice and to provide certain notice or take certain actions under certain circumstances; authorizing a consumer to file a civil action under certain circumstances and authorizing a consumer to demand a jury trial; prohibiting collection of certain debt under certain circumstances; etc.
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Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.
Testimony (20)
MGA witness listFAV 13FavorableFWA 3Favorable with amendmentsUNF 4Unfavorable
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Sakamoto-Wengel, Steve | Consumer Protection Division | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | White, Marcelinelobbyist | Economic Action Maryland | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Watkins, Caronlobbyist | Harris Jones & Malone | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Ruth, Laure | Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Turnbull, Emanwel | The Holland Law Firm, P.C. | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | OMalley, Catherine | Women's Law Center | Position only |
| FAV | Davis, Stacey | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Delegate Embry, Delegate Embrylegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Kazemi Khasragh, Fariba | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Lang, Alan | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Lent, Michael | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Mauer, William | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Tibbals, Trudy | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Ferris, Keelin | Klima, Peters, & Daly, P.A. | Oral |
| UNF | Macon, Diana | PRA Group | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Maurice, Donald | Receivables Management Association International, Inc. | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Peters, Scott | Individual | Oral |
| FWA | Enten, Robert | Maryland Bankers Association | Oral |
| FWA | Richards, Evanlobbyist | Maryland Bankers Association | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Willner, Nathan | National Creditors Bar Association (NCBA) | Oral |
Organizations on record
PRA GroupUNF 1
Women's Law CenterFAV 1
Registered lobbyists who testified
FAVWhite, MarcelineEconomic Action MarylandRegistered for: Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition DBA Economic Action Maryland; Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition
FAVWatkins, CaronHarris Jones & MaloneRegistered for: AFT Maryland; Aligned Data Centers; Associated Black Charities; Associated Builders & Contractors; Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) on behalf of National Strategies, LLC; Baltimore Civic Fund, Inc.…