PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 7, 2005
U.S. TRUSTEE PROGRAM ANNOUNCES APPROVAL
OF
DEBTOR EDUCATION COURSE PROVIDERS
FOR BANKRUPTCY FILERS
AND WAIVER OF DEBTOR EDUCATION REQUIREMENT
IN AREAS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The United States Trustee Program today
announced a temporary waiver of the statutory requirement
for an instructional course in personal financial management,
often called "debtor education," for bankruptcy filers in
Louisiana and the Southern District of Mississippi due to
the effects of Hurricane Katrina. The Program also announced
approval of 41 providers of debtor education courses for bankruptcy
filers. There are approved debtor education course providers
serving all federal judicial districts for which the United
States Trustee Program is responsible.
The list of approved debtor education course providers is
posted on the United States Trustee Program's website at www.usdoj.gov/ust.
More debtor education course providers will be added to the
list as they are approved by the United States Trustees.
Under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection
Act of 2005 (BAPCPA), in order to receive a discharge of debt,
an individual debtor who files bankruptcy on or after October 17,
2005 must complete an instructional course in personal financial
management after filing bankruptcy. The BAPCPA authorizes
the United States Trustees to approve such course providers
according to criteria set forth in the law.
The BAPCPA permits the United States Trustees to waive the
debtor education requirement within a judicial district where
approved debtor education courses are not adequate to serve
bankruptcy filers. The United States Trustee for Region 5
made this determination with respect to the Eastern, Middle,
and Western Districts of Louisiana, and the Southern District
of Mississippi.
The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice
Department that promotes integrity and efficiency in the nation's
bankruptcy system by enforcing bankruptcy laws, providing
oversight of private trustees, and maintaining operational
excellence. The Program has 21 regions and 95 field offices.
The Program is not responsible for overseeing bankruptcy cases
filed in Alabama or North Carolina.
Press Contact: Jane Limprecht
Executive Office for U.S. Trustees
(202) 305-7411
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