A2059

Eliminates court filing fees for individuals sued for consumer debt in New Jersey.

This bill eliminates court filing fees for individuals who are sued for consumer debt in New Jersey. It applies to defendants in actions to collect consumer debt or associated fees and costs. The bill aims to prevent default judgments against defendants who do not respond to lawsuits, which often leads to additional fees, interest, and wage or bank account garnishment. Consumer debt includes debt for personal, family, or household purposes, consumer credit, and medical debt. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.