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WashingtonSB 54802025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Protecting consumers by removing barriers created by medical debt.

Sponsored By: Marcus Riccelli (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Medical debt stays off consumer reports

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington bars consumer reporting agencies from including medical debt in consumer reports. This applies even to credit transactions of $50,000 or more, life insurance of $50,000 or more, and jobs paying at least $20,000 annually. Anyone who sends medical-debt information to a credit reporting agency makes that debt void and unenforceable, violating state consumer-protection law. Licensed collectors also cannot report adverse medical-debt information; hospitals, physician groups, and professional partners face a separate ban and licensing penalties. That provider-specific ban exempts hospitals owned or operated by a health maintenance organization when providing prepaid care to its enrollees or wholly owned subsidiary carriers.

More medical bills qualify for protections

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington's medical-debt protections cover consumer debts owed to businesses mainly providing medical services, products, or devices. Coverage includes debts handled by their agents or debt buyers, bills not yet past due, and information about paid bills. Cosmetic surgery debt is excluded. However, qualifying reconstructive surgery is covered when incidental to or following surgery resulting from trauma, infection, or another disease.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marcus Riccelli

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bill Ramos

    Democratic • Senate

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Emily Alvarado

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

  • June Robinson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Liz Lovelett

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tina Orwall

    Democratic • Senate

  • Vandana Slatter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 94 • No: 50

House vote • 4/9/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 59 • No: 38 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/26/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 35 • No: 12 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/22/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 145, 2025 Laws.

    4/22/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/17/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/15/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/14/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 59; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/9/2025Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/9/2025Senate

  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/8/2025Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/27/2025Senate

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/25/2025Senate

  12. Minority; do not pass.

    3/25/2025Senate

  13. CPB - Majority; do pass.

    3/25/2025Senate

  14. CPB - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/25/2025Senate

  15. First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Business.

    2/28/2025Senate

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 35; nays, 12; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    2/26/2025Senate

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/26/2025Senate

  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/26/2025Senate

  19. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/26/2025Senate

  20. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/19/2025Senate

  21. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/7/2025Senate

  22. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/6/2025Senate

  23. Minority; do not pass.

    2/6/2025Senate

  24. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    1/24/2025Senate

  25. Introduced

    1/24/2025Senate

Bill Text

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