DelawareSB 156153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE MEDICAL DEBT PROTECTION ACT.

Sponsored By: Spiros Mantzavinos (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Medical debt can't affect credit, jobs, housing

The law bans anyone from reporting medical debt to credit bureaus. Credit bureaus cannot include medical debt in your credit report. Lenders, employers, and landlords cannot use medical debt as a negative factor in decisions.

Stronger limits on medical debt collection

Selling a patient’s debt is only allowed under a strict written agreement. The buyer cannot take extraordinary collection actions, add interest, or report the debt, and must return the debt if you qualify for financial help. The agreement must stop double payment beyond your personal responsibility. Reporting is also delayed at least 1 year after your first bill, or 3 months after your last payment on a plan, whichever is later. After that time, you must get one more bill that matches any amount reported, and collectors must send the federal validation notice before reporting.

Who is covered and when billing starts

Medical debt information means any data about money owed for health care. A patient includes the person who got care, a parent for a minor, and a legal guardian for an adult under guardianship. For large hospitals, time of service is before you leave; for emergency care, it can be within 10 days after discharge.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Spiros Mantzavinos
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Frank Burns
Democratic • House
Stephanie L. Hansen
Democratic • Senate
Kyra L. Hoffner
Democratic • Senate
Russell Huxtable
Democratic • Senate
Kendra Johnson
Democratic • House
Kimberly Williams
Democratic • House
S. Elizabeth Lockman
Democratic • Senate
Eric Morrison
Democratic • House
Edward S. Osienski
Democratic • House
Claire Snyder-Hall
Democratic • House
David P. Sokola
Democratic • Senate
Bryan Townsend
Democratic • Senate
John "Jack" Walsh
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

SS 1 for SB 156 - Signed by Governor
7/29/2025Governor
SS 1 for SB 156 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
6/30/2025Senate
SS 1 for SB 156 - Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 1 ABSENT 1 VACANT
6/30/2025House
SS 1 for SB 156 - Lifted From Table in House
6/30/2025House
SS 1 for SB 156 - Laid On Table in House
6/30/2025House
SS 1 for SB 156 - - Passed In House by Voice Vote
6/30/2025House
SS 1 for SB 156 - Lifted From Table in House
6/30/2025House
Substituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 156
6/30/2025Senate
SS 1 for SB 156 - Laid On Table in House
6/26/2025House
SS 1 for SB 156 - Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 2 Favorable, 6 On Its Merits
6/25/2025House
SS 1 for SB 156 - Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House
6/18/2025House
SS 1 for SB 156 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
6/17/2025Senate
SS 1 for SB 156 - - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
6/17/2025Senate
SS 1 for SB 156 - - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
6/17/2025Senate
SS 1 for SB 156 - Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
6/12/2025Senate
Substituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 156
6/12/2025Senate
Substituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 156
6/10/2025Senate
Introduced and Assigned to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee in Senate
5/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

Current
5/20/2025
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