Bill > HB178

This bill introduces significant protections for individuals with medical debt by establishing new legal provisions in Alaska. The legislation prohibits housing discrimination based on medical debt, making it unlawful for property owners or managers to refuse rental, impose different terms, or make inquiries about a person's medical debt. Additionally, the bill restricts how medical debt can be handled by credit reporting agencies, preventing them from including medical debt in consumer reports or using it to calculate credit scores. Medical creditors and debt collectors are prohibited from reporting medical debt to credit reporting agencies, and if they do so, the consumer's debt agreement becomes void and unenforceable. The bill defines key terms like "medical creditor" (entities providing healthcare services), "medical debt" (obligations for healthcare services), and "medical debt collector" (those who collect or purchase medical debt). Importantly, the definition excludes debt charged to credit cards or loans from financial institutions. The legislation aims to protect consumers from potential negative consequences of medical debt by limiting its impact on housing opportunities and credit reporting, ultimately providing financial relief and preventing discrimination against individuals with medical expenses.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB178