The Ministry of Home Affairs is seeking public consultation on the proposed implementation of the Debt Collection Bill 2018 to clamp down on abusive practices.

The proposed Bill — an initiative announced in the Speech from the Throne last September — aims to provide a comprehensive licensing regulatory framework for entities engaging in debt collection under the newly created Debt Collection Licensing Authority.

The introduction of the Bill provides oversight by a licensing authority. The aim is to eliminate abusive practices through the creation of a regulatory framework under which creditors and debt collectors may conduct business.

The purpose of the consultation is to allow stakeholders and the general public to provide input regarding the proposed Bill.

The consultation process is as follows:

Written submissions must be received by September 14, 2018.

Submission must include the following: Your name; your organisation or company; your e-mail or phone number in order to confirm receipt and for clarification purposes pertaining to your submission; your submission should state clearly your point and the reason for making that point.

Submissions should be addressed to Karen Marshall, executive director for Consumer Affairs. They should not be sent to the minister.

Submissions can be submitted one of three ways: Via e-mail to consumers@gov.bm; via post to Consumer Affairs, D Rego Building, 75 Reid Street Hamilton HM12; hand delivery to Consumer Affairs, 3rd Floor, D Rego Building, 75 Reid Street, Hamilton HM 12.

All views and responses will be considered in the public consultation process and will be made available to the public. There will be no private consultations. In the interest of transparency, anonymous submissions will not be accepted or considered.

A copy of the proposed bill can be found on the Government portal: https://www.gov.bm/sites/default/files/Debt-Collection-Bill-2018.pdf.