2014 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 19 - Financial institutions
Chapter 19-14.8 - Uniform Debt-Management Services Act
Section 19-14.8-35 - Private enforcement.

§ 19-14.8-35 Private enforcement. – (a) If an individual voids an agreement pursuant to subsection 19-14.8-25(b), the individual may recover in a civil action all money paid or deposited by or on behalf of the individual pursuant to the agreement, except amounts paid to creditors, in addition to the recovery under subsection (c)(3) and (c)(4) of this section.

(b) If an individual voids an agreement pursuant to subsection 19-14.8-25(a), the individual may recover in a civil action three (3) times the total amount of the fees, charges, money, and payments made by the individual to the provider, in addition to the recovery under subsection (c)(4) of this section.

(c) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, an individual with respect to whom a provider violates this chapter may recover in a civil action from the provider and any person that caused the violation:

(1) Compensatory damages for injury, including noneconomic injury, caused by the violation;

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section and subject to adjustment of the dollar amount pursuant to subsection 19-14.8-32(f), with respect to a violation of § 19-14.8-17, 19-14.8-19, 19-14.8-20, 19-14.8-21, 19-14.8-22, 19-14.8-23, 19-14.8-24, 19-14.8-27, or subsection 19-14.8-28(a), (b), or (d), the greater of the amount recoverable under paragraph (1) or five thousand dollars ($5,000);

(3) Punitive damages; and

(4) Reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

(d) In a class action, except for a violation of subdivision 19-14.8-28(a)(5), the minimum damages provided in subsection (c)(2) of this section do not apply.

(e) In addition to the remedy available under subsection (c) of this section, if a provider violates an individual's rights under § 19-14.8-20, the individual may recover in a civil action all money paid or deposited by or on behalf of the individual pursuant to the agreement, except for amounts paid to creditors.

(f) A provider is not liable under this section for a violation of this chapter if the provider proves that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a good-faith error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid the error. An error of legal judgment with respect to a provider's obligations under this chapter is not a good-faith error. If, in connection with a violation, the provider has received more money than authorized by an agreement or this chapter, the defense provided by this subsection is not available unless the provider refunds the excess within two (2) business days of learning of the violation.

(g) The director shall assist an individual in enforcing a judgment against the surety bond or other security provided under § 19-14.8-13 or 19-14.8-14.

History of Section.
(P.L. 2006, ch. 243, § 3; P.L. 2006, ch. 291, § 3.)