WASHINGTON—The Pew Charitable Trusts commended the Ohio House of Representatives today for passing H.B. 123, sending the long-delayed bipartisan payday loan reform measure to the Senate for consideration. The bill would make payments affordable, achieve lower prices, and preserve access to credit. H.B. 123 is a proven, workable model that protects consumers.
Nick Bourke, director of Pew’s consumer finance project, said of the representatives’ action on H.B. 123:
“Legislators are listening to constituents who have waited a decade for sensible reforms to the state’s largely unregulated payday loan market. Essential reforms include making payments affordable and stopping lenders from charging far more in Ohio than in other states. The rules are simple, so lenders will be able to provide widespread access to credit.
“Now it’s up to the Senate to move H.B. 123 forward. Each day that passes without safeguards on payday loans costs Ohio families more than $200,000. The House backed strong payday loan reform, and the Senate should act swiftly to do the same. Ohio families have waited too long for action.”
More information on small-dollar loans is available at www.pewtrusts.org/small-loans.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Learn more at www.pewtrusts.org.