Bill

Bill > HF922


IA HF922

IA HF922
A bill for an act relating to discrimination in the provision of financial services, and providing civil penalties.(Formerly HF 594.)


summary

Introduced
03/12/2025
In Committee
04/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill relates to discrimination by a financial institution in the provision of financial services. The bill prohibits a financial institution from discriminating in the provision of financial services to a person, and from agreeing, conspiring, or coordinating with another person or group of persons to discriminate in the provision of financial services to a person. “Discrimination” is defined by the bill as the use of a social credit score by a financial institution to directly or indirectly decline to provide, terminate, or restrict, financial services to a person. “Social credit score” is defined by the bill as an analysis, rating, scoring, list, or tabulation that evaluates a person’s protected speech, religious exercise, association, expression, or conduct; a person’s failure or refusal to adopt targets or disclosures related to greenhouse gas emissions beyond state and federal law requirements; a person’s failure or refusal to conduct a racial, diversity, or gender audit or disclosure; a person’s failure or refusal to facilitate or assist an employee in obtaining an abortion or gender reassignment services; a person’s participation in business activities related to a manufacturer or dealer of firearms and ammunition or business activities with an oil or gas company; or a person’s status as an elected official or a politically exposed person. “Financial institution” and “financial service” are also defined by the bill. The bill permits a person to whom a financial institution has refused to provide, restricted, or terminated financial services to request a written statement within 90 days of such action specifying the reason for the refusal, restriction, or termination. A person can request the statement from a customer service or designated account representative of the financial institution, and the person shall provide the financial institution with a mailing address and an electronic mail address where the statement can be sent. The financial institution shall transmit the statement within 14 business days of receiving the person’s request, and the statement shall include a detailed explanation of the basis for the denial, restriction, or termination, including a description of any of the person’s speech, religious exercise, business activity with a particular industry, or other conduct that was a basis for the action taken. The statement shall also include a copy of the terms of service agreed upon by the person and the financial institution, and a citation to the specific provision of the terms of service that was the basis for the action taken. The attorney general may bring civil action to enforce the provisions of the bill and, upon finding that a financial institution violated the bill, a court may order injunctive relief, damages, restitution, other compensation, or other remedies permitted by law. A person harmed by a violation of the bill may bring a civil action and, upon finding that a financial institution violated the bill, a court may order injunctive relief and actual damages not to exceed $10,000 or, upon a finding that the violation by the financial institution was willful, damages equal to three times the amount of actual damages but not to exceed $30,000, in addition to reasonable attorney fees and court costs.

AI Summary

This bill establishes legal protections against discrimination by financial institutions based on "social credit scores," which are defined as evaluative measures of a person's protected speech, business activities, political status, or other specified characteristics. The bill prohibits financial institutions (including banks, credit unions, and large payment processors) from refusing, restricting, or terminating financial services to individuals based on these social credit scores. If a financial institution takes adverse action against a customer, the customer has the right to request a written explanation within 90 days, which must detail the specific reasons for the action, including any relevant conduct or terms of service. The bill allows both the state attorney general and individual customers to bring civil actions against financial institutions that violate these provisions, with potential damages up to $10,000 for standard violations and up to $30,000 for willful violations. The law specifically protects individuals' participation in various activities such as firearm-related businesses, oil and gas industries, and political engagement, and prevents financial institutions from discriminating based on factors like greenhouse gas emission targets, diversity audits, or reproductive healthcare choices. Importantly, the bill does not prevent financial institutions from evaluating customers based on legitimate, impartial financial risk assessments.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Judiciary (House)

Last Action

Amendment H-8161 filed. H.J. 602. (on 03/05/2026)

bill text


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