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WA HB1632

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/27/2025

Primary Sponsor

Joe Timmons

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2025-2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Prohibits health care providers, hospitals, and collection agencies from reporting medical debt to consumer credit reporting agencies, making any medical debt void and unenforceable if this prohibition is violated

  • Expands the definition of "medical debt" to include not only health care services but also specific medical products and devices such as wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, pacemakers, insulin pumps, and home dialysis machines

  • Requires all contracts creating medical debt to include explicit notice that the debt cannot be reported to credit agencies and will become void if that provision is violated

  • Amends consumer reporting laws to prohibit credit reporting agencies from including medical debt in consumer reports

  • Designates violations as unfair or deceptive practices under the Consumer Protection Act (chapter 19.86 RCW), with additional enforcement through professional licensing laws for hospitals and physician groups

Legislative Description

Protecting consumers by removing barriers created by medical debt.

Last Action

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

1/12/2026

Committee Referrals

Civil Rights & Judiciary1/27/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available