All Consumer Protection Legislation - Missouri

SB 1108 - This act requires debt settlement providers only to provide debt settlement services under a debt settlement plan when performing the services for a fee. Debt settlement services are defined as the negotiation, settlement, or alteration of the terms of payment of a consumer's debt with the consumer's creditor without receiving or holding money from a consumer for the purpose of distributing that money to the creditor. Under the plan, the provider may only charge reasonable consideration not to exceed 4% of the principal amount of the debt in enrollment fees and 20% of the principal amount of the debt in aggregate fees. The balance shall be collected in equal payments over a period determined by the provider as long as the last payment is due no sooner than the median month in the plan. The debtor may voluntarily prepay fees, and the provider may accelerate collection of fees once the provider has obtained offers of settlement from creditors for at least one-half of the [...]

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HCS/SCS/SBs 1034 & 802 - This act modifies the current record-keeping requirements for purchases of copper scrap metal and also applies such record-keeping requirements to purchases of brass, bronze, and certain aluminum scrap metal. The act requires that a separate record be maintained in either written or electronic form for each applicable transaction of copper, brass, bronze, or aluminum scrap metal. A copy of the scrap metal seller's driver's license or other state or federally-issued photo identification containing the seller's current address must be kept in the transaction record, as well as the date, time, and place of each such transaction. The act removes the existing provision that allows a scrap metal seller's business address to serve in place of a residential address in the record. Records must be kept for two years after the date the scrap metal was purchased and shall be available for inspection by any law enforcement officer. The act modifies the penalty for [...]

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SB 986 - Under this act, every motor vehicle physical damage appraiser is required to give each consumer a written estimated price for labor and parts for specific motor vehicle repairs. The physical damage appraiser is required to describe in the estimate the major parts needed for the repair and shall designate whether parts will be new parts, used parts, rebuilt parts, repaired or aftermarket parts. The estimate shall indicate that the physical damage appraiser used a published flat rate manual or an automated system to determine the cost of the repairs. The flat rate manual shall be used in its entirety and without modification to establish the cost of repairing a vehicle. The act provides that if it is necessary to disassemble a vehicle in order to provide a written estimate, the estimate shall show the cost of any disassembly, diagnostics, storage and administrative fees if the consumer elects not to proceed with the repair of the vehicle. The estimate shall include the date [...]

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SB 973 - This act provides that no applicant shall be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan until two business days have passed since the initial personal solicitation and the applicant has signed a disclosure form. Personal solicitation includes either an on-site presentation at a facility or a home meeting with an insurance agent. The disclosure shall be signed and dated by both the applicant and the agent on the day of the initial personal solicitation and shall include: -A statement that Medicare Advantage plans are not Medigap supplement plans; -A statement advising the applicant to confirm with his or her health care providers whether or not the provider has contracted with the Medicare Advantage plan to provide medical services; and -A statement advising the applicant to contact either a trusted family member, friend or the state health insurance assistance program, known as CLAIM. The director of the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration [...]

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SB 914 - This act creates the Healthy Pet Act. Pet dealers are required to have their dogs and cats examined by a licensed veterinarian no greater than 30 days prior to sale. The act requires that pet dealers provide a written statement to the purchaser of any dog or cat containing certain facts about the animal's birth, breeding, physical traits, and medical history. The written statement shall also include a statement signed by both the pet dealer and the purchaser that the animal has no known disease, illness, or adverse health condition or the statement shall alternatively disclose any known disease, illness or adverse health condition. The act requires pet dealers to maintain certain records for up to 12 months following the date of sale of any dog or cat. Pet dealers are prohibited from selling any dog or cat with any obvious clinical sign of an infectious, contagious, parasitic, or communicable disease or with any condition for which hospitalization or nonelective surgery [...]

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SB 913 - This act creates statutory warranties for home buyers and homeowners and also prevents home solicitors from engaging in certain deceptive practices. This act prohibits certain unfair or deceptive practices relating to home improvement loans to the consumer. It prohibits home solicitations where a home improvement loan is made encumbering the person's home to pay the loan and where the practice violates federal law. Violation of this provision constitutes a Class A misdemeanor. Three new-home warranties are created by this act. The first covers new homes against faulty workmanship and defective materials due to noncompliance with building standards for a three-year period. The second warranty covers new homes against faulty installation of plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems for a five-year period. The third warranty covers the home against major construction defects (foundation) for a ten-year period. These warranties are extended to subsequent purchasers [...]

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SCS/SBs 712 & 882 - This act allows a consumer to request that a "security freeze" be placed on his or her credit report, which prohibits credit reporting agencies from releasing the consumer's credit report or credit score without specific authorization from the consumer. Credit reporting agencies are directed to place a freeze on any consumer's credit report within five days of the receipt of such a request. The reporting agency must notify the consumer in writing within ten days of enacting the security freeze and must provide instructions for removing or temporarily lifting the freeze. No fee may be charged by a credit reporting agency for a consumer's first security freeze request, but a fee up to $10 may be charged for any subsequent freeze request made by the same consumer. Credit reporting agencies may issue credit reports subject to a freeze in certain circumstances that include: when requested or authorized by the consumer, pursuant to a court order, during times when the [...]

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SB 744 - This act amends the law relating to unsecured loans of $500 or less. Under current law, lenders may renew such loans upon the borrower's request. This act prohibits lenders from renewing such loans. Under current law, the director of the Division of Finance may issue a cease and desist order when lenders fail to make a good faith effort to comply with laws relating to consumer loans. This act allows the attorney general to do the same. The Attorney General may also file an action in any circuit court to enjoin the practice; impose a civil penalty; or to obtain an order of rescission, restitution, or disgorgement. Under the act, a lender may only charge interest and fees up to the amount of $15 per $100 of principal for the first 30 days of the loan, and not more than 3% per month thereafter, which is an annual percentage rate of approximately 36%. Under current law, the Division of Finance must report to the general assembly, the number of licenses issued under this [...]

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SB 773 - This act provides that no applicant shall be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan until two business days have passed since the initial personal solicitation and the applicant has signed a disclosure form. Personal solicitation includes either an on-site presentation at a facility or a home meeting with an insurance agent. The disclosure shall be signed and dated by both the applicant and the agent on the day of the initial personal solicitation and shall include: -A statement that Medicare Advantage plans are not Medigap supplement plans; -A statement advising the applicant to confirm with his or her health care providers whether or not the provider has contracted with the Medicare Advantage plan to provide medical services; and -A statement advising the applicant to contact either a trusted family member, friend or the state health insurance assistance program, known as CLAIM. The director of the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration [...]

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