Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005

S. 256 in the 109th Congress (2005–2006) became law — introduced on Feb 1, 2005, sponsored by Chuck Grassley with 12 co-sponsors. Congress held 33 roll call votes on it.

During the 109th Congress (2005–2006), George W. Bush was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Status: Became law
Introduced: Feb 1, 2005
Co-sponsors: 12
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Public law: Public Law 109-8

What it does

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 - Title I: Needs-Based Bankruptcy - (Sec. 101) Amends Federal bankruptcy law to revamp guidelines governing dismissal or conversion of a Chapter 7 liquidation (complete relief in bankruptcy) to one under either Chapter 11 (Reorganization) or Chapter 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income).

Summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.

Sponsor

Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Co-sponsors: 2 Democrats, 10 Republicans.

Where it stands

IntroducedFeb 1, 2005
Passed the SenateMar 10, 2005
Passed the HouseApr 14, 2005
Sent to the PresidentApr 15, 2005
Became lawApr 20, 2005

Latest action: Became Public Law No: 109-8. (Apr 20, 2005)

How Congress voted

On Passage
House · Apr 14, 2005 · Passed302–126
On Motion to Recommit with Instructions
House · Apr 14, 2005 · Failed200–229
On Passage of the Bill
Senate · Mar 10, 2005 · Bill Passed74–25
On the Cloture Motion
Senate · Mar 8, 2005 · Cloture Motion Agreed to69–31

Every roll call vote on this bill

To clarify the safe harbor with respect to debtors who have serious medical conditions or who have been…Senate · Mar 1, 2005
To protect servicemembers and veterans from means testing in bankruptcy, to disallow certain claims by…Senate · Mar 1, 2005
To provide a homestead floor for the elderly.Senate · Mar 2, 2005
To require enhanced disclosure to consumers regarding the consequences of making only minimum required…Senate · Mar 2, 2005
To exempt debtors whose financial problems were caused by serious medical problems from means testing.Senate · Mar 2, 2005
To provide protection for medical debt homeowners.Senate · Mar 2, 2005
To preserve existing bankruptcy protections for individuals experiencing economic distress as caregivers to…Senate · Mar 2, 2005
To limit the amount of interest that can be charged on any extension of credit to 30 percent.Senate · Mar 3, 2005
To exempt debtors from means testing if their financial problems were caused by identity theft.Senate · Mar 3, 2005
To discourage predatory lending practices.Senate · Mar 3, 2005
To limit the exemption for asset protection trusts.Senate · Mar 3, 2005
To amend the wage priority provision and to amend the payment of insurance benefits to retirees.Senate · Mar 3, 2005
To protect employees and retirees from corporate practices that deprive them of their earnings and…Senate · Mar 3, 2005
To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage.Senate · Mar 7, 2005
To promote job creation, family time, and small business preservation in the adjustment of the Federal…Senate · Mar 7, 2005
To prohibit the discharge, in bankruptcy, of a debt resulting from the debtor's unlawful interference with…Senate · Mar 8, 2005
A bill to amend title 11 of the United States Code, and for other purposes.Senate · Mar 8, 2005
To strike certain small business related bankruptcy provisions in the bill.Senate · Mar 8, 2005
To clarify that the means test does not apply to debtors below median income.Senate · Mar 9, 2005
To increase the accrual period for the employee wage priority in bankruptcy.Senate · Mar 9, 2005
To provide for the potential disallowance of certain claims.Senate · Mar 9, 2005
To modify the bill to protect families, and for other purposes.Senate · Mar 9, 2005
To provide a maximum amount for a homestead exemption under State law.Senate · Mar 9, 2005
To exempt debtors whose financial problems were caused by failure to receive alimony or child support, or…Senate · Mar 10, 2005
To amend the definition of current monthly income.Senate · Mar 10, 2005
To limit claims in bankruptcy by certain unsecured creditors.Senate · Mar 10, 2005
To modify the definition of disinterested person in the Bankruptcy Code.Senate · Mar 10, 2005
To protect disabled veterans from means testing in bankruptcy under certain circumstances.Senate · Mar 10, 2005
To limit the exemption for asset protection trusts.Senate · Mar 10, 2005
To deter corporate fraud and prevent the abuse of State self-settled trust law.Senate · Mar 10, 2005
A bill to amend title 11 of the United States Code, and for other purposes.Senate · Mar 10, 2005
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection ActHouse · Apr 14, 2005
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection ActHouse · Apr 14, 2005

More bills from Chuck Grassley in the 109th Congress

Other Finance and Financial Sector bills in the 109th Congress

Committees

Financial Services Committee
Judiciary Committee

From GovInfo bill records, Congressional Research Service summaries, Voteview roll calls and lobbying reports.

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Capitol Receipts, “S. 256 (109th Congress): Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/bill/109-s-256/bankruptcy-abuse-prevention-and-consumer-protection-act-of-2005 (accessed 2026-10-17).