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Rhode IslandH51842025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES .

Sponsored By: Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Consumers gain medical debt reporting protections

Beginning January 1, 2026, Rhode Island excludes certain medical-debt reports from its legal definition of a credit report. The exclusion covers reports containing only information about your dealings with a healthcare provider over medical debt. Covered debt is money owed to a healthcare facility or professional for healthcare services, products, or devices. Medicaid reimbursement and child support orders are not covered.

Homeowners protected from medical debt seizures

Beginning January 1, 2026, creditors cannot seize or place a court attachment on your main home for a medical-debt judgment. An illegal attachment counts as slander of title, a legal claim involving harm to your property title. This protection applies to your main home, not every property you own. Covered medical debt is money owed to healthcare facilities or professionals for healthcare services, products, or devices. Medicaid reimbursement and child support orders are not covered.

Workers’ wages protected from medical debt judgments

Beginning January 1, 2026, creditors cannot take money from your salary or wages to enforce a medical-debt judgment. The protection applies when the claim in the lawsuit was based on medical debt. Covered debt is money owed to a healthcare facility or professional for healthcare services, products, or devices. Medicaid reimbursement and child support orders are not covered.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mary Ann Shallcross Smith

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Edith H. Ajello

    Democratic • House

  • Karen Alzate

    Democratic • House

  • Julie A. Casimiro

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Chippendale

    Republican • House

  • Robert E. Craven, Sr.

    Democratic • House

  • Deborah A. Fellela

    Democratic • House

  • Kathleen A. Fogarty

    Democratic • House

  • Raymond A. Hull

    Democratic • House

  • George A. Nardone

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 107 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/20/2025

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES In Concurrence Passage

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 6/18/2025

DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES PASSAGE

Yes: 73 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 301

    6/26/2025Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/23/2025Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/20/2025Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/20/2025)

    6/18/2025Senate

  5. House passed Sub A

    6/18/2025House

  6. Placed on House Calendar (06/18/2025)

    6/16/2025House

  7. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    6/16/2025

  8. Proposed Substitute

    6/15/2025

  9. Scheduled for consideration (06/16/2025)

    6/14/2025

  10. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    4/8/2025

  11. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/08/2025)

    4/4/2025

  12. Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

    1/24/2025House

Bill Text

  • H5184 - As Introduced

    1/24/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • H5184 - Substitute

    1/24/2025

    HTMLPDF

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