Bill > HB4329

This bill introduces the "Medical Debt Act," which aims to protect consumers by regulating how medical debt information is collected, reported, and used in consumer credit reports. The bill defines key terms such as "medical debt" (debt arising from healthcare services or goods) and establishes strict limitations on consumer reporting agencies. Specifically, consumer reporting agencies are prohibited from including adverse information about medical debt in consumer reports, with an exception for credit transactions involving loan amounts exceeding the annual national conforming loan limit for a single-unit property. Collection agencies are also restricted from threatening to include medical debt information in consumer reports and must include a specific statement in their initial written communication to consumers explaining the legal protections. If a consumer reporting agency or collection agency violates these provisions, an individual can bring a civil action to recover actual damages, seek injunctive relief, and potentially recover legal costs and attorney fees. The bill's primary goal is to prevent medical debt from unfairly impacting a consumer's creditworthiness, recognizing that medical expenses can be unexpected and should not disproportionately harm an individual's financial reputation.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4329