87R1948 SRA-F
 
  By: Walle H.B. No. 417
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the threat or pursuit of criminal charges against a
  consumer in association with certain extensions of consumer credit.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 393, Finance Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter E-1 to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER E-1.  CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST CONSUMER
         Sec. 393.421.  CRIMINAL CHARGE AGAINST CONSUMER. (a)  A
  credit services organization or a representative or assignee of a
  credit services organization may not, unless the credit services
  organization or representative or assignee of the credit services
  organization has evidence sufficient to prove that the consumer has
  committed an offense under Section 31.03, 31.04, or 32.41, Penal
  Code:
               (1)  file a criminal complaint or threaten to file a
  criminal complaint related to an extension of consumer credit or
  provision of credit services against the consumer for an offense
  under Section 31.03, 31.04, or 32.41, Penal Code; or
               (2)  refer or threaten to refer a consumer to a
  prosecutor under Article 102.007, Code of Criminal Procedure, for
  the collection and processing of a check or similar sight order that
  was issued in relation to an extension of consumer credit or
  provision of credit services.
         (b)  For purposes of this section, evidence of a denied or
  returned payment due to insufficient funds or account closure may
  not be considered as evidence of an offense under Section 31.03,
  31.04, or 32.41, Penal Code, and the presumptions provided by
  Sections 31.06(a) and 32.41(b), Penal Code, do not apply.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.