An Act to Prohibit Liens on Principal Residences and Wage Garnishments for Medical Debt
Sponsored By: Donna Bailey (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Main homes protected from medical debt
Maine law protects your main home from being seized or sold to collect medical debt. Debt collectors cannot start a case to attach it, and creditors cannot file an execution against it for medical-debt judgments. For judgments involving property covered by a medical-debt lien or attachment on your main home, the law also limits interest collection. That limit covers interest accrued from the effective date of the new home protection, not all medical-debt interest. Separately, home exemption amounts are limited to the amount in effect when the lien was recorded.
Workers' wages protected from medical debt
Maine law bars taking money from your salary or wages to pay a medical-debt judgment. Debt collectors also cannot start a case to garnish your salary or wages for a medical-debt claim.
Courts face medical debt collection limits
Maine courts cannot issue, carry out, or enforce orders or processes under 9-A MRSA §5-105 for medical debt. This blocks that specific court collection method, not every court action involving medical debt. The law uses the medical-debt definition in 32 MRSA §11002(7-A).
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Donna Bailey
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Cameron D. Reny
Democratic • Senate
Craig V. Hickman
Democratic • Senate
Joshua Morris
Republican • House
Kristi Mathieson
Democratic • House
Matthea E. L. Daughtry
Democratic • Senate
Mike Tipping
Democratic • Senate
Nicole C. Grohoski
Democratic • Senate
Sean Faircloth
Democratic • House
Timothy E. Nangle
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 649
4/6/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
3/25/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/24/2026HouseCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-551).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/19/2026HouseCOMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-551)Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
3/18/2026SenateReport READ and ACCEPTED.Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-551) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
3/17/2026SenateThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
1/7/2026HouseCommittee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
1/7/2026Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-551), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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