In the wake of a nationwide crackdown on rogue debt collection agencies, Oklahoma State Senator Gary Stanislawski has introduced the Bartmann Ethical Debt Collection Practices Act. A press release about the bill states that it seeks to reform laws relating to debt buyers and debt collection, and outlines the ten provisions that form the centerpiece of the legislation.

Among other provisions, the bill would require the licensing of debt buyers and employees; ban collection of debt that is past the statute of limitations; require that debt buyers provide proof that they have notified a consumer of a pending lawsuit; make debt buyers submit proof before filing a lawsuit; enable consumer to record phone calls from debt collectors; and increase penalties for debt collectors and debt buyers who break the law.

Interestingly, the push for the legislation has come from the owner of a debt collection agency. The legislation is named after Bill Bartmann’s father. Bartmann heads the debt collection agency CFS II. According to an article in InsideARM, a debt collection industry newsletter, Bartmann’s move raised eyebrows within the industry – but not for the reasons one would think. According to the article, written by Mark Russell, Bartmann has a less than stellar reputation in the industry. Russell writes, “To call Mr. Bartmann the luckiest man alive for not having to go to prison is probably an understatement. He certainly earned the nickname ‘Teflon Man.’”