Bill > S0169

This bill provides protections for consumers with medical debt by prohibiting credit bureaus from including medical debt information in credit reports and preventing legal actions that could compromise a person's primary residence. Specifically, the bill defines medical debt as any financial obligation for healthcare services, products, or devices owed to a healthcare facility or professional, and explicitly excludes Medicaid reimbursements and child support orders from this definition. Under the new law, credit reporting agencies cannot include medical debt transactions in credit reports, and creditors are barred from filing legal executions or attachments against a person's principal residence for judgments based on medical debt. This means that consumers will be protected from having their credit scores negatively impacted by medical expenses and from potentially losing their homes due to medical debt-related legal proceedings. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, giving stakeholders time to prepare for the new regulations. By implementing these protections, the bill aims to reduce the financial and personal stress that medical debt can cause for individuals and families.

Business and Industry, Justice

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