Application Procedures and Criteria for Approval of Nonprofit Budget and Credit Counseling Agencies and Approval of Providers of a Personal Financial Management Instructional Course by United States Trustees

摘要

This interim final rule ("rule") sets forth the proposed application procedures to be used by United States Trustees for approval of nonprofit budget and credit counseling agencies ("agencies") and for approval of providers of a personal financial management instructional course ("providers") under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 ("BAPCPA"). Under the BAPCPA, individual debtors are required to consult with approved agencies to receive a briefing on the opportunities for credit counseling and a budget analysis, within 180 days before filing for bankruptcy relief, and to consult with approved providers of a personal financial management instructional course, after filing for relief, before receiving a discharge of their debts. The BAPCPA also sets forth procedures and standards for the United States Trustees to use in approving agencies and providers for subsequent inclusion on a publicly available agency list and provider list in each federal judicial district where they are deemed qualified to counsel or instruct individuals.