Section 19-14.8-23 - Fees and other charges(a) A provider may not impose directly, or indirectly, a fee or other charge on an individual or receive money from, or on behalf of, an individual for debt-management services except as permitted by this section.(b) A provider may not impose charges or receive payment for debt-management services until the provider and the individual have signed an agreement that complies with §§ 19-14.8-19 and 19-14.8-28.(c) If an individual assents to an agreement, a provider may not impose a fee or other charge for educational or counseling services, or the like, except as otherwise provided in this subsection and § 19-14.8-28(d). The director may authorize a provider to charge a fee based on the nature and extent of the educational or counseling services furnished by the provider.(d) Subject to adjustment of dollar amounts pursuant to § 19-14.8-32(f), the following rules apply: (1) If an individual assents to a plan that contemplates that creditors will reduce finance charges or fees for late payment, default, or delinquency, the provider may charge: (A) A fee not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) for consultation, obtaining a credit report, setting up an account, and the like; and(B) A monthly service fee, not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00) times the number of creditors remaining in a plan at the time the fee is assessed, but not more than fifty dollars ($50) in any month.(2) If an individual assents to a plan that contemplates that creditors will settle debts for less than the principal amount of the debt, a provider may charge:(A) Subject to § 19-14.8-19(d), a fee for consultation, obtaining a credit report, setting up an account, and the like, in an amount not exceeding the lesser of four hundred dollars ($400) and four percent (4%) of the debt in the plan at the inception of the plan; and(B) A monthly service fee, not to exceed ten dollars ($10) times the number of creditors remaining in a plan at the time the fee is assessed, but not more than fifty dollars ($50) in any month.(3) A provider may not impose or receive fees under both subsections (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section.(4) Except as otherwise provided in § 19-14.8-28(d), if an individual does not assent to an agreement, a provider may receive for educational and counseling services it provides to the individual a fee not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) or, with the approval of the director, a larger fee. The director may approve a fee larger than one hundred ($100) if the nature and extent of the educational and counseling services warrant the larger fee.(e) If, before the expiration of ninety (90) days after the completion or termination of educational or counseling services, an individual assents to an agreement, the provider shall refund to the individual any fee paid pursuant to subsection (d)(4).(f) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d), if a plan contemplates that creditors will settle an individual's debts for less than the principal amount of the debt, compensation for services in connection with settling a debt may not exceed, with respect to each debt:(1) Thirty percent (30%) of the excess of the principal amount of the debt over the amount paid the creditor pursuant to the plan less;(2) To the extent it has not been credited against an earlier settlement fee: (A) The fee charged pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(A); and(B) The aggregate of fees charged pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(B) of this section.(g) Subject to adjustment of the dollar amount pursuant to § 19-14.8-32(f), if a payment to a provider by an individual under this chapter is dishonored, a provider may impose a reasonable charge on the individual, not to exceed the lesser of twenty-five dollars ($25) and the amount permitted by law other than this chapter.R.I. Gen. Laws § 19-14.8-23
P.L. 2006, ch. 243, § 3; P.L. 2006, ch. 291, § 3.