WAS LEG Medical Debt Barriers Removal

Published on: May 21, 2025

On Apr. 22, WAS LEG enacted bill on removing medical debt barriers.

  • WAS LEG enacted bill SB 5480, HB 1632, removing consumers' medical debt barriers.
  • Amendments to WAS LEG 19.16.100, WAS LEG 19.182.040, WAS LEG 70.41.400, WAS LEG 70.54.005; WAS LEG 19.16.250; adding new section to WAS LEG 70.54.
  • Sets out definitions, consumer reports, prohibitions, billing, amongst other things.
  • Document dated Apr. 22, 2025, was received on May 16, 2025 due to a fixed feed.
  • Bill Provisions
  • Medical debt is unenforceable if reported to a consumer credit reporting agency by a person, health care provider, health care facility/licensed collection agency.
  • Amendment to bill declares a medical debt void and unenforceable if it is reported to a consumer credit reporting agency or credit bureau, accordingly.
  • Specific entities prohibited from reporting medical debts to a consumer credit reporting agency/credit bureau in violation of the Consumer Protection Act, as set out in the bill.
  • Legislative History
  • On Jan. 24, 2025, bill introduced in Senate; on Feb. 26, 2025, bill passed in Senate.
  • On Feb. 28, 2025, bill introduced in House; on Apr. 9, 2025, bill was passed in House.
  • On Apr. 17, 2025, bill sent to governor; on Apr. 22, 2025, bill signed, became Ch. 145.
  • Effectiveness
  • Act becomes effective Jul. 27, 2025.
Regulators
WAS LEG
Entity Types
CNSM; CRA; Ins
Reference
Ch. 145, Bill SB5480, Bill, HB1632, 4/22/2025; Citation: *WAS LEG* 70.54, 19.16.100, 19.182.040, 70.41.400, 70.54.005, 19.16.250;
Functions
Compliance; Financial; Legal; Reporting; Risk
Countries
United States of America
Category
State
N/A
Products
Insurance; Insurance-Health
Rule Type
Final
Regions
Am
Rule Date
Apr 22, 2025
Effective Date
Jul 27, 2025
Rule ID
255071
Linked to
N/A
Reg. Last Update
Apr 22, 2025
Report Section
US Consumer