Minnesota Extends Guidance Allowing Collectors to Temporarily Work from Home

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On April 24, Minnesota's Department of Commerce issued new regulatory guidance that extends its former guidance—issued on March 13—allowing debt collectors to temporarily work from home. The March guidance permitted collectors to work from home through April 30. The new guidance extends this allowance " through any extension of the Stay At Home Order initially issued by Governor Walz on March 25, 2020."

The new guidance mirrors the four criteria from the original March guidance: 

1. The activity is conducted from the home location of an individual working on behalf of a Minnesota licensee;
2. The individual is working from home due to a reason relating to the COVID-19 outbreak and has informed the licensee of such reason.
3. None of the activity will be conducted in person with members of the public from the home location; and
4. The licensee shall, at all times, exercise supervision of the activity being performed at the home office and ensure that appropriate safeguards and controls are in place to protect consumer information and data.

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The new guidance makes it clear that the Department of Commerce is temporarily suspending the requirements of only Minn. Stat. § 332.33, subd. 3, and that all other requirements remain in force.