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DelawareSS 1 for SB 156 w/ SA 1, SA 2 + HA 1153rd 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 bills kept off credit reports

The law blocks anyone from reporting medical debt to credit bureaus. Credit bureaus must not include medical debt they know or should know about. It also sets guardrails around credit reporting: at least 1 year from your first bill or 3 months after your last payment on a plan, whichever is later. After that wait, a creditor or collector must send one more bill that says the debt will be reported, and the amount reported must match that bill. Collectors must also give the federal validation notice.

Tighter rules on selling medical debt

Selling your medical debt is treated as an extraordinary collection action. A creditor may sell it only under a binding written deal with the buyer that bans aggressive collections and bans interest. The deal must let the creditor take the debt back if you qualify for financial help and must prevent you from paying more than you owe. The buyer also cannot report the debt to credit bureaus.

Who and what counts as medical debt

Medical debt means money you owe for medical care, products, or devices to someone whose main business is health care. It includes bills not past due and even bills already paid. Regular credit card debt does not count, unless the card is only for health care. The law also defines who is a medical debt buyer or collector, who counts as the patient (including parents and legal guardians), and when the time of service ends, including up to 10 days after discharge for emergency care.

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

  • Larry Lambert

    Democratic • House

  • S. Elizabeth Lockman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melissa Minor-Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

  • Edward S. Osienski

    Democratic • House

  • Marie Pinkney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Snyder-Hall

    Democratic • House

  • David P. Sokola

    Democratic • Senate

  • Bryan Townsend

    Democratic • Senate

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 79 • No: 0

Senate vote • 7/1/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 20 • No: 0

House vote • 7/1/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/17/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 20 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    7/29/2025Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

    6/30/2025Senate

  3. Suspension of Rules in Senate

    6/30/2025Senate

  4. Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 1 ABSENT 1 VACANT

    6/30/2025House

  5. Lifted From Table in House

    6/30/2025House

  6. Laid On Table in House

    6/30/2025House

  7. Amendment HA 1 to SS 1 - Passed In House by Voice Vote

    6/30/2025House

  8. Lifted From Table in House

    6/30/2025House

  9. Amendment HA 1 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    6/30/2025Senate

  10. Laid On Table in House

    6/26/2025House

  11. Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 2 Favorable, 6 On Its Merits

    6/25/2025House

  12. Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House

    6/18/2025House

  13. Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

    6/17/2025Senate

  14. Amendment SA 2 to SS 1 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

    6/17/2025Senate

  15. Amendment SA 1 to SS 1 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

    6/17/2025Senate

  16. Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

    6/12/2025Senate

  17. Amendment SA 1 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    6/12/2025Senate

  18. Adopted in lieu of the original bill SB 156, and Assigned to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee in Senate

    6/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    6/11/2025

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