If Assembly Bill 2825 (authored by Assembly member Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr., Los Angeles) passes, auto repair shops, including collision repairers, will turn into debt collectors---a job that they're not suited for, according to Jack Molodanof, head lobbyist for the California Autobody Association.
Originally written to deal with towing companies, AB 2825 was amended on June 18 to include any company that repairs vehicles.
The Automotive Service Councils of California and the California Automotive Business Coalition also oppose the bill. Supporters include Consumers Union, the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition, the California Immigrant Policy Center, the East Bay Community Law Center, the Los Angeles chapter of the National Lawyers Guild and Legal Services for Prisoners with Children.
According to a legislative analysis of AB 2825, debt tied to vehicle towing, repairs or storage had been exempt from the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The bill applies similar restrictions to other creditors on how repairers and tow companies can pursue reimbursement.
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