Assembly BillIntroduced
A 9166: Creates a private right of action for improper debt collection procedures; allows plaintiffs to recover punitive damages and reasonable attorney's fees.
What A 9166 does, verified September 15, 2026
The proposed law aims to protect consumers from improper debt collection practices. It would allow individuals to file a private lawsuit against anyone who violates debt collection laws, seeking damages for actual losses, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees. The law would take effect after a certain period.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: referred to judiciary (2026-01-07)Alert me
Quick answers about A 9166
- What is the current status of A 9166?
- As of September 15, 2026, A 9166 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on January 7, 2026, was "referred to judiciary".
- Did A 9166 pass?
- Not yet. A 9166 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote A 9166, and where is it now?
- A 9166 was authored by Asm. Claire Valdez with 1 coauthor. Its committee of record is Assembly Judiciary.
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions2 total · showing 2
| Jan. 07, 2026 | referred to judiciary |
| Oct. 17, 2025 | referred to judiciary |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, October 17, 2025 · 201 words
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 9166 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY October 17, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. VALDEZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to allowing a private right of action for improper debt collection The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Section 602 of the general business law is amended by 2 adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows: 3 4. A debtor shall have a private right of action against any person or 4 persons in violation of this article. Such person or persons shall be 5 liable to the debtor for any actual damages the debtor sustained as a 6 result of the violation of this article, any punitive damages awarded by 7 the court, and reasonable attorney's fees. 8 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall 9 have become a law. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD01799-01-5
Text of A 9166 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions