Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 5, 2024 Senator Lewis and State Senate Act to Protect Consumers and Make Debt Collections Fairer B OSTON – State Senator Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to unanimously pass legislation to protect consumers and help keep people from being pushed into financial ruin if they are sued for fi nancial debt. The new law would make debt collection practices fairer, protect wages, Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 Dan - 1972 We Sell Cigars & Accessories! MAJOR BRANDS AT DISCOUNT PRICES! Singles * Tins * Bundles * Boxes * Travel Humidors * Desk Top Humidors * Many Types of Lighters * Ash Trays * Juuls * Vapes * Glass Pipes * Rewards Program * CBD Infused Products * GIFTS UNDER $30 - GIFT CERTIFICATES Buy Cigars by the Box and SAVE Money $$!! SPRING AHEAD TO A NEW SEASON! WINTER STORE HOURS: OPEN DAILY 7 DAYS A WEEK, 9AM - 6PM Humidor Specials! Starting as LOW as $99. Complete R.Y.O. TOBACCO & TUBES ON SALE! Green Label Cigar Sale! Buy 2 Cigars, Get One FREE! A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 H and make clear that no person can go to prison for their debt. The Debt Collection Fairness Act would protect thousands of families across the state, including many in communities of color, by reducing the interest rate from 12% to 3% on judgments on consumer debt, which is often old debt that has been bought by debt collection companies for pennies on the dollar. It would also protect at least $975 in wages per week from a person subject to wage garnishment because of a debt and ensure that no one in the Commonwealth is imprisoned for failure to pay a consumer debt. Currently only $750 per week in wages is protected from garnishment. The bill would also reduce, from 6 years to 5 years, the time in which a company can bring suit to collect a consumer debt. “Exploitative debt collection Jason Lewis State Senator Death Café at the Malden Public Library ave you ever wanted to talk about death but didn’t know where to start? The Malden Public Library will be hosting its fi rst Death Café on Monday, April 29, starting at 6 p.m. If you’ve nevCelebrating Our 52nd Year Chris 2024 er heard of them before, a Death Café is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. At a Death Café people – often strangers – gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. Everyone is welcome to attend and registration is required: bit. ly/DeathCafe4-30-24 practices have been used for too long to harm low- and middle-income families, especially people of color,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “The Debt Collection Fairness Act creates much-needed safeguards to protect working families from exorbitant charges by debt collection companies and open paths to recovery for those in fi - nancial distress.” The bill now heads to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for their consideration. Death Café Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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