Indiana 2025 Regular Session

Indiana Senate Bill SB0317 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	~~SB0317.1~~
2		-	~~February 14, 2025~~
	1	+
	2	+	Introduced Version
3	3		SENATE BILL No. 317
4	4		_____
5		-	DIGEST OF SB 317 (Updated February 12, 2025 11:52 am - DI 104)
6		-	Citations Affected: IC 16-18; IC 16-21; IC 24-4.5; IC 32-28;
7		-	IC 34-55.
8		-	Synopsis: Health care debt and costs. Requires hospitals to do the
9		-	following: (1) Offer the person who has received health services the
10		-	opportunity to pay the charges through a payment plan that satisfies
11		-	certain requirements. (2) Develop a written notice about a charity care
12		-	program operated by the hospital, provide the notice to patients, and
13		-	post the notice. (3) Include certain information concerning financial
14		-	assistance on a billing statement. (4) Requires a hospital that reports an
15		-	annual gross patient revenue of at least $20,000,000 to provide written
16		-	notice and information to a person who has requested an eligibility
17		-	determination concerning a payment plan or charity care. Provides that
18		-	the unpaid earnings of a consumer who meets specified income
19		-	eligibility requirements may not be attached by garnishment in
20		-	satisfaction of: (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to
21		-	be owed by the consumer; or (2) any amount of the judgment that
	5	+	DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
	6	+	Citations Affected: IC 16-18-2-52.5; IC 16-21; IC 24-4.5-5-104;
	7	+	IC 24-5-24.8; IC 28-9; IC 32-28-16; IC 32-33-22; IC 34-25-1-1.5;
	8	+	IC 34-55-9.
	9	+	Synopsis: Health care debt and costs. Adds to the Indiana Code a new
	10	+	chapter that requires hospitals to do the following: (1) For any charges
	11	+	for health care services provided to a person after June 30, 2025, offer
	12	+	the person the opportunity to pay the charges through a payment plan
	13	+	that satisfies certain requirements. (2) Develop a written notice about
	14	+	any charity care program operated by the hospital, provide the notice
	15	+	to patients at the point of service, and conspicuously post the notice in
	16	+	specified areas. (3) Requires a hospital that reports an annual gross
	17	+	patient revenue of at least $20,000,000 to do the following: (A) Before
	18	+	billing a person for any emergency or medically necessary health care
	19	+	services provided to the person, offer to determine whether a person is
	20	+	eligible for any charity care program operated by the hospital. (B) If the
	21	+	hospital determines that person is eligible for the hospital's charity care
	22	+	program, offer to enroll the person in the program. (4) Prohibits a
	23	+	hospital that reports an annual gross patient revenue of at least
	24	+	$20,000,000 from billing a person for any emergency or medically
	25	+	necessary health care services that the hospital has provided to the
	26	+	person unless the hospital first communicates to the person a good faith
	27	+	estimate of the person's out-of-pocket costs for the services. Provides
	28	+	that the unpaid earnings of a consumer who resides in Indiana may not
	29	+	be attached by garnishment in satisfaction of: (1) any amount of health
	30	+	care debt owed or alleged to be owed by the consumer; or (2) in an
	31	+	action against the consumer in which a judgment has been entered, any
	32	+	amount of the judgment that represents health care debt determined to
	33	+	be owed by the consumer. Prohibits: (1) a health care provider; or (2)
	34	+	a third party furnisher of consumer information; from reporting or
22	35		(Continued next page)
23	36		Effective: Upon passage; July 1, 2025.
24		-	Qaddoura, Charbonneau, Yoder,
25		-	Ford J.D., Jackson L, Becker, Deery
	37	+	Qaddoura, Charbonneau
26	38		January 13, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Provider
27	39		Services.
28		-	February 13, 2025, amended, reported favorably — Do Pass.
29		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 Digest Continued
30		-	represents health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer.
31		-	Provides that: (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be
32		-	owed by a consumer; or (2) in an action against a consumer in which
33		-	a judgment has been entered, any amount of the judgment that
34		-	represents health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer;
35		-	does not constitute a lien against the consumer's principal residence for
36		-	a consumer that meets specified income requirements. Provides that in
37		-	any action filed in Indiana for the recovery of health care debt owed or
38		-	alleged to be owed by a consumer, the principal residence of the
	40	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 Digest Continued
	41	+	furnishing to a consumer reporting agency any information related to
	42	+	the health care debt of an eligible consumer (defined as a consumer
	43	+	who has a household income of not more than 500% of the federal
	44	+	poverty level). Provides that if information related to health care debt
	45	+	of an eligible consumer is reported to a consumer reporting agency in
	46	+	violation of these provisions: (1) the eligible consumer is relieved from
	47	+	any liability to pay the amount reported; and (2) the health care
	48	+	provider and any third party furnisher engaged by the health care
	49	+	provider may not collect or attempt to collect the amount reported.
	50	+	Requires a consumer reporting agency, upon request from an eligible
	51	+	consumer, to delete any record of health care debt that is maintained in
	52	+	the eligible consumer's file and reported or furnished in violation of
	53	+	these provisions. Prohibits a health care provider from: (1) charging or
	54	+	collecting interest on the unpaid balances of health care debt at an
	55	+	annual rate that exceeds 3%; or (2) initiating any delinquent account
	56	+	action with respect to health care debt during the pendency of an
	57	+	appeal by the consumer for the denial of insurance or other third party
	58	+	coverage. Provides that a person that violates these provisions commits
	59	+	a deceptive act that is actionable only by the attorney general under the
	60	+	Indiana statute concerning deceptive consumer sales. Amends the
	61	+	statute concerning adverse claims against deposit accounts to prohibit
	62	+	a depository financial institution that receives notice of an adverse
	63	+	claim based on health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a
	64	+	consumer from: (1) recognizing the adverse claim in any manner; or (2)
	65	+	placing a hold on, or otherwise restricting withdrawal of funds from, a
	66	+	deposit account in which the consumer has an interest. Provides that:
	67	+	(1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a
	68	+	consumer; or (2) in an action against a consumer in which a judgment
	69	+	has been entered, any amount of the judgment that represents health
	70	+	care debt determined to be owed by the consumer; does not constitute
	71	+	a lien against the consumer's principal residence or against certain
	72	+	personal property of the consumer. Provides that in any action filed in
	73	+	Indiana for the recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed
	74	+	by a consumer, the court does not have and shall not entertain
	75	+	jurisdiction in any: (1) action of attachment against the real or personal
	76	+	property of the consumer; or (2) action of garnishment. Provides that
	77	+	in any action filed in Indiana for the recovery of health care debt owed
	78	+	or alleged to be owed by a consumer, the principal residence of the
39	79		consumer is not liable to judgment or attachment or to be sold on
40	80		execution against the consumer.
41		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI ~~101SB~~ 317—LS 7017/DI 101 ~~February 14, 2025~~
	81	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 1012025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 Introduced
42	82		First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
43	83		PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
44	84		Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
45	85		additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
46	86		Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
47	87		provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
48	88		word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
49	89		a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
50	90		Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
51	91		between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
52	92		SENATE BILL No. 317
53	93		A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade
54	94		regulation.
55	95		Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
56	96		1 SECTION 1. IC 16-18-2-52.5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
57	97		2 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 52.5. (a) "Charity care",
58	98		3 for purposes of IC 16-21-6, IC 16-21-6.1, and IC 16-21-9, means the
59	99		4 unreimbursed cost to a hospital of providing, funding, or otherwise
60	100		5 financially supporting health care services:
61	101		6 (1) to a person classified by the hospital as financially indigent or
62	102		7 medically indigent on an inpatient or outpatient basis; and
63	103		8 (2) to financially indigent patients through other nonprofit or
64	104		9 public outpatient clinics, hospitals, or health care organizations.
65	105		10 (b) As used in this section, "financially indigent" means an
66	106		11 uninsured or underinsured person who is accepted for care with no
67	107		12 obligation or a discounted obligation to pay for the services rendered
68	108		13 based on the hospital's financial criteria and procedure used to
69	109		14 determine if a patient is eligible for charity care. The criteria and
70	110		15 procedure must include income levels and means testing indexed to the
71		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 2
	111	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 2
72	112		1 federal poverty guidelines. A hospital may determine that a person is
73	113		2 financially or medically indigent under the hospital's eligibility system
74	114		3 after health care services are provided.
75	115		4 (c) As used in this section, "medically indigent" means a person
76	116		5 whose medical or hospital bills after payment by third party payors
77	117		6 exceed a specified percentage of the patient's annual gross income as
78	118		7 determined in accordance with the hospital's eligibility system, and
79	119		8 who is financially unable to pay the remaining bill.
80	120		9 SECTION 2. IC 16-21-6.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
81	121		10 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
82	122		11 JULY 1, 2025]:
83	123		12 Chapter 6.1. Hospitals' Billing Practices and Financial
84	124		13 Disclosures to Patients
85	125		14 Sec. 1. (a) This section applies to health care services provided
86	126		15 to a person by a hospital after June 30, 2025.
87	127		16 (b) With respect to any bill that:
88	128		17 (1) includes charges for health care services provided to a
89	129		18 person by a hospital; and
90	130		19 (2) is submitted to that person for payment;
91	131		20 a hospital shall offer the person the opportunity to pay the listed
92	132		21 charges through a payment plan that satisfies the requirements set
93	133		22 forth in this section.
94	134		23 (c) A hospital's offer under subsection (b) must:
95	135		24 (1) be in writing and communicated in plain language;
96	136		25 (2) include instructions for how the person may enter into a
97	137		26 payment plan; and
98	138		27 (3) if the offer is included in the bill for the charges to which
99	139		28 the offer pertains, be printed in prominent type on the front
100	140		29 of the first page of the bill.
101	141		30 (d) A hospital may provide a person the offer required by
102	142		31 subsection (b):
103	143		32 (1) in a writing delivered to the person;
104	144		33 (2) by electronic mail; or
105	145		34 (3) through a mobile application or another Internet based
106	146		35 method, if available;
107	147		36 according to the person's expressed preference for
108	148		37 communications.
109	149		38 (e) If a person accepts a hospital's offer to enter into a payment
110	150		39 plan under this section, the hospital shall provide, in the manner
111	151		40 described in subsection (d), a written copy of the payment plan to
112	152		41 the person not later than five (5) business days after the payment
113	153		42 plan is executed by both parties. The plan must prominently
114		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 3
	154	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 3
115	155		1 disclose:
116		-	2 (1) the rate of any interest ~~that will be applied to unpaid~~
117		-	3 balances under the plan; and
	156	+	2 (1) subject to IC 24-5-24.8-12(b)(1), the rate of any interest
	157	+	3 that will be applied to unpaid balances under the plan; and
118	158		4 (2) the date by which the account will be paid in full, assuming
119	159		5 that all scheduled payments will be made when due.
120	160		6 A person is not required to make a payment under the payment
121	161		7 plan until a written copy of the payment plan has been provided to
122	162		8 the person under this section in the manner described in subsection
123	163		9 (d).
124	164		10 (f) A hospital's payment plan under this section must satisfy the
125	165		11 following:
126	166		12 (1) The payment plan must allow payments to be made over
127	167		13 a period of at least twenty-four (24) months.
128	168		14 (2) The amount of any one (1) monthly payment may not
129		-	15 exceed ~~ten~~ percent (10%) of the person's gross monthly
	169	+	15 exceed five percent (5%) of the person's gross monthly
130	170		16 household income.
131	171		17 (3) The first payment under the plan may not be due before
132		-	18 ~~thirty~~ (30) days have elapsed from the latest date of service
	172	+	18 ninety (90) days have elapsed from the latest date of service
133	173		19 for the health care services to which the payment plan
134	174		20 pertains.
135	175		21 (4) Payments under the plan must be suspended without
136	176		22 penalty during the pendency of any appeal by the person for
137	177		23 the denial of insurance or other third party coverage for the
138		-	24 health care services to which the payment plan pertains if the
139		-	25 patient provides the hospital with documentation of the
140		-	26 appeal. Payments under the plan may resume after thirty (30)
141		-	27 days from the date the hospital receives documentation of the
142		-	28 appeal unless the patient provides additional documentation
143		-	29 concerning the pending appeal.
144		-	30 Sec. 2. (a) A hospital shall develop a written notice about any
145		-	31 charity care program operated by the hospital and about the
146		-	32 procedures by which a person may apply for any such charity care
147		-	33 program. The notice must be in English and, to the extent
148		-	34 practicable, in any other prevalent language used in the
149		-	35 communities served by the hospital. The notice must be:
150		-	36 (1) provided to a person at the time of intake or discharge of
151		-	37 the person; and
152		-	38 (2) conspicuously posted in the waiting area of the emergency
153		-	39 room, if any, and the admissions intake area of the hospital.
154		-	40 (b) The hospital must include on a patient's billing statement the
155		-	41 following information:
156		-	42 (1) A statement that financial assistance is available.
157		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 4
158		-	1 (2) The telephone number to call to obtain information
159		-	2 concerning financial assistance.
160		-	3 (3) An Internet link to a web page that includes information
161		-	4 and any documentation concerning obtaining financial
162		-	5 assistance.
163		-	6 Sec. 3. (a) This section applies to:
	178	+	24 health care services to which the payment plan pertains.
	179	+	25 Sec. 2. A hospital shall develop a written notice about any
	180	+	26 charity care program operated by the hospital and about the
	181	+	27 procedures by which a person may apply for any such charity care
	182	+	28 program. The notice must be in English and, to the extent
	183	+	29 practicable, in any other prevalent language used in the
	184	+	30 communities served by the hospital. The notice must be:
	185	+	31 (1) provided to a person at the time the person receives health
	186	+	32 care services, to the extent practicable; and
	187	+	33 (2) conspicuously posted in the following areas:
	188	+	34 (A) The general waiting area.
	189	+	35 (B) The waiting area for emergency services.
	190	+	36 (C) The business office.
	191	+	37 (D) Any other area that the hospital considers an
	192	+	38 appropriate area in which to provide notice of a charity
	193	+	39 care program.
	194	+	40 Sec. 3. (a) This section applies to:
	195	+	41 (1) a hospital that had gross patient revenue of at least twenty
	196	+	42 million dollars ($20,000,000) during the hospital's
	197	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 4
	198	+	1 immediately preceding fiscal year, as reported to the state
	199	+	2 department under IC 16-21-6-3; and
	200	+	3 (2) emergency or medically necessary health care services
	201	+	4 provided to a person by the hospital after June 30, 2025.
	202	+	5 (b) As used in this section, "gross patient revenue" has the
	203	+	6 meaning set forth in IC 16-21-6-1.
	204	+	7 (c) Before billing a person for any emergency or medically
	205	+	8 necessary health care services provided to the person, a hospital to
	206	+	9 which this section applies shall offer to determine whether the
	207	+	10 person is eligible for any charity care program operated by the
	208	+	11 hospital. If the person consents in writing to the hospital's offer, the
	209	+	12 hospital shall:
	210	+	13 (1) make the determination in accordance with the hospital's
	211	+	14 financial criteria and procedures used to determine a person's
	212	+	15 eligibility for the hospital's charity care program, including
	213	+	16 the use of income levels and means testing indexed to the
	214	+	17 federal poverty guidelines, as described in IC 16-18-2-52.5(b);
	215	+	18 and
	216	+	19 (2) provide to the person written notice of the determination
	217	+	20 in accordance with subsection (d) not later than fourteen (14)
	218	+	21 days after the person's written consent under this subsection.
	219	+	22 (d) After determining whether a person is eligible for the
	220	+	23 hospital's charity care program under subsection (c), the hospital
	221	+	24 shall provide to the person written notice of the determination. A
	222	+	25 notice under this section must include the following:
	223	+	26 (1) A statement notifying the person as to whether the person
	224	+	27 is eligible for the hospital's charity care program.
	225	+	28 (2) If the hospital has determined that the person is eligible
	226	+	29 for the hospital's charity care program, an offer to enroll the
	227	+	30 person in the program to the extent the hospital is able to do
	228	+	31 so under any:
	229	+	32 (A) funding limits;
	230	+	33 (B) enrollment limits; or
	231	+	34 (C) other limits, caps, or restrictions;
	232	+	35 applicable to the program at the time of the person's
	233	+	36 enrollment.
	234	+	37 (3) Instructions for how the person may enroll in the
	235	+	38 program.
	236	+	39 (e) A hospital may provide notice to a person under subsection
	237	+	40 (d):
	238	+	41 (1) in a writing delivered to the person;
	239	+	42 (2) by electronic mail; or
	240	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 5
	241	+	1 (3) through a mobile application or another Internet based
	242	+	2 method, if available;
	243	+	3 according to the preference expressed by the person to whom
	244	+	4 emergency or medically necessary health care services have been
	245	+	5 provided.
	246	+	6 Sec. 4. (a) This section applies to:
164	247		7 (1) a hospital that had gross patient revenue of at least twenty
165	248		8 million dollars ($20,000,000) during the hospital's
166	249		9 immediately preceding fiscal year, as reported to the state
167	250		10 department under IC 16-21-6-3; and
168	251		11 (2) emergency or medically necessary health care services
169	252		12 provided to a person by the hospital after June 30, 2025.
170	253		13 (b) As used in this section, "gross patient revenue" has the
171	254		14 meaning set forth in IC 16-21-6-1.
172		-	15 (c) If a person ~~requests a determination of eligibility~~ for a
173		-	16 ~~payment plan or charity~~ care ~~program administered by~~ the
174		-	17 ~~hospital,~~ the hospital ~~shall provide written notice as provided in~~
175		-	18 ~~subsection (d) not later than fourteen (14) days from~~ the person's
176		-	19 ~~request.~~
177		-	20 ~~(d)~~ The ~~written notice under subsection (c) must include~~ the
178		-	21 ~~following~~:
179		-	22 (1) ~~A statement notifying the person as to whether the person~~
180		-	23 ~~is eligible for~~ the hospital~~'s payment plan or charity care~~
181		-	24 ~~program.~~
182		-	25 (2) ~~If the hospital has~~ determined ~~that the person is~~ eligible
183		-	26 ~~for the hospital's payment plan or charity care program, an~~
184		-	27 ~~offer to enroll the person in the payment plan or charity care~~
185		-	28 ~~program to the extent the hospital is able to do so under any~~:
186		-	29 (A) ~~funding limits~~;
187		-	30 (B) ~~enrollment limits;~~ or
188		-	31 ~~(C) other limits~~, ~~caps, or restrictions;~~
189		-	32 ~~applicable to the payment plan~~ or ~~charity care program at the~~
190		-	33 ~~time of the person's enrollment.~~
191		-	34 (3) ~~Instructions for how~~ the ~~person may enroll in the payment~~
192		-	35 ~~plan or charity care program.~~
193		-	36 (e) A ~~hospital may provide notice~~ to a person ~~under subsection~~
194		-	37 (d):
195		-	38 (1) in a ~~writing delivered to the person;~~
196		-	39 ~~(2) by electronic mail~~; or
197		-	40 ~~(3) through a mobile application or another Internet based~~
198		-	41 ~~method, if available;~~
199		-	42 ~~according to~~ the ~~preference expressed~~ by ~~the person to whom~~
200		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 5
201		-	1 ~~emergency or medically necessary health~~ care services have been
202		-	2 ~~provided.~~
203		-	3 ~~SECTION 3.~~ IC ~~16-21-9-7, AS AMENDED BY P.L.6-2012,~~
204		-	4 ~~SECTION 115, IS AMENDED~~ TO ~~READ AS FOLLOWS~~
205		-	5 ~~[EFFECTIVE JULY 1~~, ~~2025]: Sec~~. 7. ~~(a) Each nonprofit hospital shall~~
206		-	6 ~~prepare an annual report of the community benefits plan. The report~~
207		-	7 ~~must include~~, ~~in addition to the community benefits plan itself, the~~
208		-	8 ~~following background information:~~
209		-	9 ~~(1)~~ The ~~hospital's mission statement.~~
210		-	10 ~~(2) A disclosure of the health care needs of the community that~~
211		-	11 ~~were considered in developing~~ the hospital's ~~community benefits~~
212		-	12 ~~plan.~~
213		-	13 ~~(3) A disclosure of~~ the ~~amount and types of~~ community benefits
214		-	14 ~~actually provided, including charity care~~. ~~Charity care must be~~
215		-	15 ~~reported as~~ a ~~separate item from other~~ community benefits.
216		-	16 ~~(b) Each nonprofit hospital shall annually file a report of the~~
217		-	17 community benefits ~~plan with the state department~~. ~~For a hospital's~~
218		-	18 ~~fiscal year that ends before July 1,~~ ~~2011, the~~ report ~~must be filed not~~
219		-	19 ~~later than one hundred twenty (120) days after~~ the ~~close of the~~
220		-	20 ~~hospital's fiscal year. For a hospital's~~ fiscal year that ends ~~after June 30~~,
221		-	21 ~~2011,~~ the ~~report must be filed at~~ the ~~same time the nonprofit hospital~~
222		-	22 ~~files its annual return described under Section 6033 of the Internal~~
223		-	23 ~~Revenue Code that is timely~~ filed ~~under Section 6072(e) of~~ the ~~Internal~~
224		-	24 ~~Revenue Code,~~ ~~including any applicable extension authorized~~ under
225		-	25 Section ~~6081~~ of the Internal ~~Revenue Code.~~
226		-	26 ~~(c) Each nonprofit hospital shall prepare a statement that notifies the~~
227		-	27 ~~public that the annual report~~ of the ~~community benefits plan is:~~
228		-	28 (1) ~~public information;~~
229		-	29 ~~(2) filed with~~ the ~~state department;~~ ~~and~~
230		-	30 (3) ~~available to the~~ public ~~on request from the state department.~~
231		-	31 ~~This statement shall be posted in prominent places throughout~~ the
232		-	32 ~~hospital, including~~ the ~~emergency room waiting area and~~ the
233		-	33 ~~admissions office waiting area. The~~ statement shall ~~also~~ be ~~printed~~ in
234		-	34 the ~~hospital patient guide or other material that provides~~ the ~~patient~~
235		-	35 ~~with information about~~ the ~~admissions criteria of the hospital.~~
236		-	36 ~~(d) Each nonprofit~~ hospital ~~shall develop,~~ ~~provide, and post a~~
237		-	37 ~~written notice~~ about ~~any charity care program operated by~~ the hospital
238		-	38 and ~~how to apply for charity care. The notice must be in appropriate~~
239		-	39 ~~languages if possible.~~ The ~~notice must also be conspicuously posted in~~
240		-	40 the ~~following areas:~~
241		-	41 ~~(1)~~ The ~~general waiting area.~~
242		-	42 ~~(2)~~ The ~~waiting area for emergency services.~~
243		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 6
244		-	1 (3) The ~~business office~~.
245		-	2 (4) ~~Any other~~ area ~~that the hospital considers an appropriate area~~
246		-	3 ~~in which to provide notice of a charity care program~~. in
247		-	4 ~~accordance with IC 16-21-6.1-2.~~
248		-	5 ~~SECTION 4. IC 24-4.5-5-104 IS AMENDED~~ TO ~~READ AS~~
249		-	6 ~~FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE~~ ~~UPON PASSAGE]: Sec~~. ~~104~~. No
250		-	7 ~~Garnishment Before Judgment — (1)~~ As ~~used in this section,~~
251		-	8 ~~"consumer" means an individual whose household income is not~~
252		-	9 ~~more than two hundred fifty percent~~ (~~250%~~) ~~of the federal poverty~~
253		-	10 ~~level and~~ whose principal residence is in ~~Indiana. The term~~
254		-	11 includes the following:
	255	+	15 (c) A hospital may not bill a person for any emergency or
	256	+	16 medically necessary health care services that the hospital has
	257	+	17 provided to the person unless the hospital first communicates to
	258	+	18 the person a good faith estimate of the person's out-of-pocket costs
	259	+	19 for the services after any expected payments or discounts from the
	260	+	20 following have been applied to the total charges for the services
	261	+	21 provided:
	262	+	22 (1) Any charity care program:
	263	+	23 (A) operated by the hospital; and
	264	+	24 (B) with respect to which the person has been:
	265	+	25 (i) determined to be eligible for; and
	266	+	26 (ii) enrolled in;
	267	+	27 under section 3 of this chapter.
	268	+	28 (2) A third party payor, including:
	269	+	29 (A) Medicare;
	270	+	30 (B) Medicaid or any other federal, state, or local indigent
	271	+	31 health care program, eligibility for which is based on
	272	+	32 financial need; or
	273	+	33 (C) commercial insurance;
	274	+	34 (d) A hospital may provide the good faith estimate required by
	275	+	35 this section:
	276	+	36 (1) in a writing delivered to the person;
	277	+	37 (2) by electronic mail; or
	278	+	38 (3) through a mobile application or another Internet based
	279	+	39 method, if available;
	280	+	40 according to the preference expressed by the person to whom
	281	+	41 health care services have been provided.
	282	+	42 (e) The good faith estimate required by this section after health
	283	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 6
	284	+	1 care services have been provided is separate from, and in addition
	285	+	2 to, any good faith estimate requested by an individual under
	286	+	3 IC 27-1-46 before nonemergency health care services are provided
	287	+	4 to the individual.
	288	+	5 SECTION 3. IC 16-21-9-7, AS AMENDED BY P.L.6-2012,
	289	+	6 SECTION 115, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	290	+	7 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 7. (a) Each nonprofit hospital shall
	291	+	8 prepare an annual report of the community benefits plan. The report
	292	+	9 must include, in addition to the community benefits plan itself, the
	293	+	10 following background information:
	294	+	11 (1) The hospital's mission statement.
	295	+	12 (2) A disclosure of the health care needs of the community that
	296	+	13 were considered in developing the hospital's community benefits
	297	+	14 plan.
	298	+	15 (3) A disclosure of the amount and types of community benefits
	299	+	16 actually provided, including charity care. Charity care must be
	300	+	17 reported as a separate item from other community benefits.
	301	+	18 (b) Each nonprofit hospital shall annually file a report of the
	302	+	19 community benefits plan with the state department. For a hospital's
	303	+	20 fiscal year that ends before July 1, 2011, the report must be filed not
	304	+	21 later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of the
	305	+	22 hospital's fiscal year. For a hospital's fiscal year that ends after June 30,
	306	+	23 2011, the report must be filed at the same time the nonprofit hospital
	307	+	24 files its annual return described under Section 6033 of the Internal
	308	+	25 Revenue Code that is timely filed under Section 6072(e) of the Internal
	309	+	26 Revenue Code, including any applicable extension authorized under
	310	+	27 Section 6081 of the Internal Revenue Code.
	311	+	28 (c) Each nonprofit hospital shall prepare a statement that notifies the
	312	+	29 public that the annual report of the community benefits plan is:
	313	+	30 (1) public information;
	314	+	31 (2) filed with the state department; and
	315	+	32 (3) available to the public on request from the state department.
	316	+	33 This statement shall be posted in prominent places throughout the
	317	+	34 hospital, including the emergency room waiting area and the
	318	+	35 admissions office waiting area. The statement shall also be printed in
	319	+	36 the hospital patient guide or other material that provides the patient
	320	+	37 with information about the admissions criteria of the hospital.
	321	+	38 (d) Each nonprofit hospital shall develop, provide, and post a
	322	+	39 written notice about any charity care program operated by the hospital
	323	+	40 and how to apply for charity care. The notice must be in appropriate
	324	+	41 languages if possible. The notice must also be conspicuously posted in
	325	+	42 the following areas:
	326	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 7
	327	+	1 (1) The general waiting area.
	328	+	2 (2) The waiting area for emergency services.
	329	+	3 (3) The business office.
	330	+	4 (4) Any other area that the hospital considers an appropriate area
	331	+	5 in which to provide notice of a charity care program. in
	332	+	6 accordance with IC 16-21-6.1-2.
	333	+	7 SECTION 4. IC 24-4.5-5-104 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	334	+	8 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 104. No
	335	+	9 Garnishment Before Judgment — (1) As used in this section,
	336	+	10 "consumer" means an individual whose principal residence is in
	337	+	11 Indiana. The term includes the following:
255	338		12 (a) A protected consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
256	339		13 (b) A representative acting on behalf of a protected consumer
257	340		14 (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
258	341		15 (2) As used in this section, "health care debt" means an
259	342		16 obligation or an alleged obligation of a consumer to pay an amount
260	343		17 related to the receipt of health care services, products, or devices
261	344		18 provided to a person by a health care provider. The term does not
262	345		19 include debt charged to a credit card unless the credit card is
263	346		20 issued under:
264	347		21 (a) an open-end plan; or
265	348		22 (b) a closed-end plan;
266	349		23 offered specifically for the payment of health care services,
267	350		24 products, or devices provided to a person.
268	351		25 (3) As used in this section, "health care provider" means:
269	352		26 (a) a hospital or facility listed in IC 16-39-7-1(a)(13); or
270	353		27 (b) a provider of ambulance services (as defined in
271	354		28 IC 16-18-2-13.4).
272	355		29 The term includes an affiliate, officer, agent, or employee of a
273	356		30 person described in subdivision (a) or (b).
274	357		31 (4) Notwithstanding any other law, the unpaid earnings of a
275	358		32 consumer may not, at any time, be attached by garnishment or like
276	359		33 proceedings in satisfaction of:
277	360		34 (a) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed
278	361		35 by the consumer; or
279	362		36 (b) in an action against the consumer in which a judgment has
280	363		37 been entered, any amount of the judgment that represents
281	364		38 health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer.
282	365		39 (5) Prior to entry of judgment in an action against the debtor, no a
283	366		40 creditor may not attach unpaid earnings of the debtor by garnishment
284	367		41 or like proceedings.
285		-	42 SECTION 5. IC ~~32-28-16~~ IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
286		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 7
	368	+	42 SECTION 5. IC 24-5-24.8 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	369	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 8
287	370		1 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
288		-	2 UPON PASSAGE]:
289		-	3 Chapter 16. Prohibition Against Lien on Principal Residence of
290		-	4 a Consumer for Health Care Debt
291		-	5 Sec. 1. (a) As used in this chapter, "consumer" means an
292		-	6 individual whose household income is not more than two hundred
293		-	7 fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty level and whose
294		-	8 principal residence is in Indiana.
295		-	9 (b) The term includes the following:
296		-	10 (1) A protected consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
297		-	11 (2) A representative acting on behalf of a protected consumer
298		-	12 (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
299		-	13 Sec. 2. (a) As used in this chapter, "health care debt" means an
300		-	14 obligation or an alleged obligation of a consumer to pay an amount
301		-	15 related to the receipt of health care services, products, or devices
302		-	16 provided to a person by a health care provider.
303		-	17 (b) The term does not include debt charged to a credit card
304		-	18 unless the credit card is issued under:
305		-	19 (1) an open-end plan; or
306		-	20 (2) a closed-end plan;
307		-	21 offered specifically for the payment of health care services,
308		-	22 products, or devices provided to a person.
309		-	23 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "health care provider" means:
310		-	24 (1) a hospital or facility listed in IC 16-39-7-1(a)(13); or
311		-	25 (2) a provider of ambulance services (as defined in
312		-	26 IC 16-18-2-13.4).
313		-	27 The term includes an affiliate, officer, agent, or employee of a
314		-	28 person described in subdivision (1) or (2).
315		-	29 Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "principal residence", with
316		-	30 respect to a consumer, means real or personal property that:
317		-	31 (1) is located in Indiana;
318		-	32 (2) the consumer:
319		-	33 (A) owns; or
320		-	34 (B) is buying under contract;
321		-	35 whether solely or jointly with another person; and
322		-	36 (3) constitutes the principal place of residence of:
323		-	37 (A) the consumer; or
324		-	38 (B) a dependent of the consumer.
325		-	39 Sec. 5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law:
326		-	40 (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed
327		-	41 by a consumer; or
328		-	42 (2) in an action against a consumer in which a judgment has
329		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 8
330		-	1 been entered, any amount of the judgment that represents
331		-	2 health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer;
332		-	3 does not constitute a lien against the consumer's principal
333		-	4 residence.
334		-	5 (b) A person having any ownership or other interest in an
335		-	6 amount described in subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) may not assert,
336		-	7 claim, enter, or enforce a lien against the consumer's principal
337		-	8 residence.
338		-	9 SECTION 6. IC 34-55-9-0.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
339		-	10 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
340		-	11 UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 0.5. As used in this chapter, the following
341		-	12 terms have the following meanings:
342		-	13 (1) "Consumer" means an individual whose household income
343		-	14 is not more than two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the
344		-	15 federal poverty level and whose principal residence is in
345		-	16 Indiana. The term includes the following:
346		-	17 (A) A protected consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
347		-	18 (B) A representative acting on behalf of a protected
348		-	19 consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
349		-	20 (2) "Health care debt" means an obligation or an alleged
350		-	21 obligation of a consumer to pay an amount related to the
351		-	22 receipt of health care services, products, or devices provided
352		-	23 to a person by a health care provider. The term does not
353		-	24 include debt charged to a credit card unless the credit card is
354		-	25 issued under:
355		-	26 (A) an open-end plan; or
356		-	27 (B) a closed-end plan;
357		-	28 offered specifically for the payment of health care services,
358		-	29 products, or devices provided to a person.
359		-	30 (3) "Health care provider" means:
360		-	31 (A) a hospital or facility listed in IC 16-39-7-1(a)(13); or
361		-	32 (B) a provider of ambulance services (as defined in
362		-	33 IC 16-18-2-13.4).
363		-	34 The term includes an affiliate, officer, agent, or employee of
364		-	35 a person described in clause (A) or (B).
365		-	36 (4) "Principal residence", with respect to a consumer, means
366		-	37 real or personal property that:
367		-	38 (A) is located in Indiana;
368		-	39 (B) the consumer:
369		-	40 (i) owns; or
370		-	41 (ii) is buying under contract;
371		-	42 whether solely or jointly with another person; and
372		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 9
373		-	1 (C) constitutes the principal place of residence of:
374		-	2 (i) the consumer; or
375		-	3 (ii) a dependent of the consumer.
376		-	4 SECTION 7. IC 34-55-9-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
377		-	5 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 1. (a) Except as
378		-	6 provided in subsection (b), the following real estate is liable to all
379		-	7 judgments and attachments and to be sold on execution against the
380		-	8 debtor owing owning the real estate or for whose use the real estate is
381		-	9 held:
382		-	10 (1) All lands of the judgment debtor, whether in possession,
383		-	11 remainder, or reversion.
384		-	12 (2) All rights of redeeming mortgaged lands and all lands held by
385		-	13 virtue of any land office certificate.
386		-	14 (3) Lands or any estate or interest in land held by anyone in trust
387		-	15 for or to the use of another.
388		-	16 (4) All chattels real of the judgment debtor.
389		-	17 (b) In any action filed, in a court of competent jurisdiction in
390		-	18 Indiana, for the recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be
391		-	19 owed by a consumer, the principal residence of the consumer is not
392		-	20 liable to judgment or attachment or to be sold on execution against
393		-	21 the consumer.
394		-	22 SECTION 8. IC 34-55-9-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
395		-	23 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 2. (a) Except as
396		-	24 provided in subsection (b), all final judgments for the recovery of
397		-	25 money or costs in the circuit court and other courts of record of general
398		-	26 original jurisdiction in Indiana, whether state or federal, constitute a
399		-	27 lien upon real estate and chattels real liable to execution in the county
400		-	28 where the judgment has been duly entered and indexed in the judgment
401		-	29 docket as provided by law:
402		-	30 (1) after the time the judgment was entered and indexed; and
403		-	31 (2) until the expiration of ten (10) years after the rendition of the
404		-	32 judgment;
405		-	33 exclusive of any time during which the party was restrained from
406		-	34 proceeding on the lien by an appeal, an injunction, the death of the
407		-	35 defendant, or the agreement of the parties entered of record.
408		-	36 (b) A final judgment for the recovery of money or costs in any
409		-	37 action filed, in a court of competent jurisdiction in Indiana, for the
410		-	38 recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a
411		-	39 consumer does not constitute a lien upon the principal residence of
412		-	40 the consumer.
413		-	41 SECTION 9. An emergency is declared for this act.
414		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 10
415		-	COMMITTEE REPORT
416		-	Mr. President: The Senate Committee on Health and Provider
417		-	Services, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 317, has had the same
418		-	under consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the
419		-	Senate with the recommendation that said bill be AMENDED as
420		-	follows:
421		-	Page 3, line 2, delete "subject to IC 24-5-24.8-12(b)(1),".
422		-	Page 3, line 15, delete "five" and insert "ten".
423		-	Page 3, line 15, delete "(5%)" and insert "(10%)".
424		-	Page 3, line 18, delete "ninety (90)" and insert "thirty (30)".
425		-	Page 3, line 24, delete "pertains." and insert "pertains if the patient
426		-	provides the hospital with documentation of the appeal. Payments
427		-	under the plan may resume after thirty (30) days from the date the
428		-	hospital receives documentation of the appeal unless the patient
429		-	provides additional documentation concerning the pending
430		-	appeal.".
431		-	Page 3, line 25, after "2." insert "(a)".
432		-	Page 3, line 31, after "time" insert "of intake or discharge of".
433		-	Page 3, line 31, delete "person receives health" and insert "person;
434		-	and".
435		-	Page 3, delete line 32.
436		-	Page 3, line 33, delete "following areas:" and insert "waiting area
437		-	of the emergency room, if any, and the admissions intake area of
438		-	the hospital.
439		-	(b) The hospital must include on a patient's billing statement the
440		-	following information:
441		-	(1) A statement that financial assistance is available.
442		-	(2) The telephone number to call to obtain information
443		-	concerning financial assistance.
444		-	(3) An Internet link to a web page that includes information
445		-	and any documentation concerning obtaining financial
446		-	assistance.".
447		-	Page 3, delete lines 34 through 39.
448		-	Page 4, delete lines 7 through 25, begin a new paragraph and insert:
449		-	"(c) If a person requests a determination of eligibility for a
450		-	payment plan or charity care program administered by the
451		-	hospital, the hospital shall provide written notice as provided in
452		-	subsection (d) not later than fourteen (14) days from the person's
453		-	request.
454		-	(d) The written notice under subsection (c) must include the
455		-	following:".
456		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101 11
457		-	Page 4, line 27, after "hospital's" insert "payment plan or".
458		-	Page 4, line 29, after "hospital's" insert "payment plan or".
459		-	Page 4, line 30, delete "program" and insert "payment plan or
460		-	charity care program".
461		-	Page 4, line 35, delete "program" and insert "payment plan or
462		-	charity care program".
463		-	Page 4, line 38, delete "program." and insert "payment plan or
464		-	charity care program.".
465		-	Page 5, delete lines 6 through 42.
466		-	Page 6, delete lines 1 through 4.
467		-	Page 7, line 10, after "whose" insert "household income is not
468		-	more than two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty
469		-	level and whose".
470		-	Page 7, delete line 42.
471		-	Delete pages 8 through 15.
472		-	Page 16, delete lines 1 through 28.
473		-	Page 16, line 35, after "whose" insert "household income is not
474		-	more than two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty
475		-	level and whose".
476		-	Page 17, delete lines 36 through 42.
477		-	Delete pages 18 through 19.
478		-	Page 20, delete lines 1 through 2.
479		-	Page 20, line 7, after "whose" insert "household income is not
480		-	more than two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty
481		-	level and whose".
482		-	Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
483		-	and when so amended that said bill do pass.
484		-	(Reference is to SB 317 as introduced.)
485		-	CHARBONNEAU, Chairperson
486		-	Committee Vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0.
487		-	SB 317—LS 7017/DI 101
	371	+	2 JULY 1, 2025]:
	372	+	3 Chapter 24.8. Prohibitions Concerning Health Care Debt
	373	+	4 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "affiliate" means any person who
	374	+	5 directly or indirectly:
	375	+	6 (1) controls;
	376	+	7 (2) is controlled by; or
	377	+	8 (3) is under the common control of;
	378	+	9 another person.
	379	+	10 Sec. 2. (a) As used in this chapter, "consumer" means an
	380	+	11 individual whose principal residence is in Indiana.
	381	+	12 (b) The term includes the following:
	382	+	13 (1) A protected consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	383	+	14 (2) A representative acting on behalf of a protected consumer
	384	+	15 (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	385	+	16 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "consumer report" means any
	386	+	17 written, oral, or other communication of any information that:
	387	+	18 (1) is made by a consumer reporting agency;
	388	+	19 (2) bears on a consumer's creditworthiness, credit standing,
	389	+	20 credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal
	390	+	21 characteristics, or mode of living; and
	391	+	22 (3) is used or expected to be used or collected in whole or in
	392	+	23 part for the purpose of serving as a factor in establishing a
	393	+	24 consumer's eligibility for:
	394	+	25 (A) credit or insurance to be used primarily for personal,
	395	+	26 family, or household purposes;
	396	+	27 (B) employment purposes; or
	397	+	28 (C) any other purpose authorized under Section 604 of the
	398	+	29 federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681b).
	399	+	30 Sec. 4. (a) As used in this chapter, "consumer reporting agency"
	400	+	31 means any person that, for monetary fees or dues, or on a
	401	+	32 cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part
	402	+	33 in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit
	403	+	34 information or other information on consumers for the purpose of
	404	+	35 furnishing a consumer report to third parties.
	405	+	36 (b) The term does not include an entity designated as a
	406	+	37 commercially reasonable private consumer credit reporting entity
	407	+	38 under IC 24-4.5-7-404(5).
	408	+	39 Sec. 5. (a) As used in this chapter, "creditor" means any person
	409	+	40 that regularly:
	410	+	41 (1) extends, renews, or continues credit; or
	411	+	42 (2) arranges for the extension, renewal, or continuation of
	412	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 9
	413	+	1 credit.
	414	+	2 (b) The term includes any person that:
	415	+	3 (1) is an assignee of a person described in subsection (a); and
	416	+	4 (2) participates in the decision to extend, renew, or continue
	417	+	5 credit.
	418	+	6 Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "delinquent account action",
	419	+	7 with respect to a consumer's delinquent account with a health care
	420	+	8 provider, means any action taken to initiate, or in furtherance of:
	421	+	9 (1) placing the customer's account for collection;
	422	+	10 (2) charging the customer's account to profit or loss; or
	423	+	11 (3) subjecting the customer's account to any similar action;
	424	+	12 whether taken through the health care provider's own actions or
	425	+	13 those of a third party furnisher.
	426	+	14 Sec. 7. As used in this chapter, "file", when used in connection
	427	+	15 with information on a consumer, means all the information on that
	428	+	16 consumer that is recorded and retained by a consumer reporting
	429	+	17 agency, regardless of how the information is stored.
	430	+	18 Sec. 8. (a) As used in this chapter, "health care debt" means an
	431	+	19 obligation or an alleged obligation of a consumer to pay an amount
	432	+	20 related to the receipt of health care services, products, or devices
	433	+	21 provided to a person by a health care provider.
	434	+	22 (b) The term does not include debt charged to a credit card
	435	+	23 unless the credit card is issued under:
	436	+	24 (1) an open-end plan; or
	437	+	25 (2) a closed-end plan;
	438	+	26 offered specifically for the payment of health care services,
	439	+	27 products, or devices provided to a person.
	440	+	28 Sec. 9. As used in this chapter, "health care provider" means:
	441	+	29 (1) a hospital or facility listed in IC 16-39-7-1(a)(13); or
	442	+	30 (2) a provider of ambulance services (as defined in
	443	+	31 IC 16-18-2-13.4).
	444	+	32 The term includes an affiliate, officer, agent, or employee of a
	445	+	33 person described in subdivision (1) or (2).
	446	+	34 Sec. 10. (a) As used in this chapter, "third party furnisher"
	447	+	35 means a person that regularly and in the ordinary course of
	448	+	36 business furnishes to one (1) or more consumer reporting agencies
	449	+	37 information about the transactions and experiences of one (1) or
	450	+	38 more health care providers with one (1) or more consumers,
	451	+	39 including information regarding delinquent account actions,
	452	+	40 regardless of whether the delinquent account actions were taken
	453	+	41 by:
	454	+	42 (1) the person;
	455	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 10
	456	+	1 (2) the health care provider on whose behalf the person
	457	+	2 furnishes the information; or
	458	+	3 (3) any other person.
	459	+	4 (b) The term includes a collection agency (as defined in
	460	+	5 IC 25-11-1-1) that regularly and in the ordinary course of business
	461	+	6 engages in the activities described in subsection (a).
	462	+	7 (c) The term includes an affiliate, officer, agent, or employee of
	463	+	8 a person described in subsection (a) or (b).
	464	+	9 Sec. 11. (a) This section applies to health care debt related to
	465	+	10 health care services, products, or devices that are provided to a
	466	+	11 consumer by a health care provider after June 30, 2025.
	467	+	12 (b) As used in this section, "eligible consumer" means a
	468	+	13 consumer who has a household income of not more than five
	469	+	14 hundred percent (500%) of the federal poverty level, as verified by
	470	+	15 a health care provider under subsection (e).
	471	+	16 (c) In any bill that:
	472	+	17 (1) includes charges for health care services, products, or
	473	+	18 devices that are provided to a consumer by a health care
	474	+	19 provider after June 30, 2025; and
	475	+	20 (2) is submitted to that consumer for payment;
	476	+	21 a health care provider shall include a notice that the health care
	477	+	22 provider will not report or furnish to a consumer reporting agency
	478	+	23 any information related to health care debt incurred by the
	479	+	24 consumer in connection with the listed charges if the consumer
	480	+	25 provides the health care provider written income verification
	481	+	26 establishing that the consumer qualifies as an eligible consumer.
	482	+	27 (d) The notice required under subsection (c) must:
	483	+	28 (1) be in writing and communicated in plain language;
	484	+	29 (2) be printed in prominent type on the front of the first page
	485	+	30 of the bill; and
	486	+	31 (3) include instructions as to:
	487	+	32 (A) acceptable forms of documentation or proof of a
	488	+	33 consumer's household income that the consumer may
	489	+	34 submit to the health care provider;
	490	+	35 (B) the methods by which the consumer may submit the
	491	+	36 documentation or proof described in clause (A); and
	492	+	37 (C) the date by which the consumer must submit the
	493	+	38 documentation or proof described in clause (A), which
	494	+	39 must not be earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of
	495	+	40 the bill.
	496	+	41 (e) If:
	497	+	42 (1) a consumer submits a specified form of documentation or
	498	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 11
	499	+	1 proof of the consumer's household income under subsection
	500	+	2 (d)(3)(A) by the date required by subsection (d)(3)(C); and
	501	+	3 (2) the health care provider:
	502	+	4 (A) verifies the authenticity of the documentation or proof
	503	+	5 of household income using a commercially reasonable
	504	+	6 method of verification; and
	505	+	7 (B) determines that the consumer qualifies as an eligible
	506	+	8 consumer based on the consumer's household income;
	507	+	9 the health care provider shall provide to the consumer, in the
	508	+	10 manner described in subsection (h) and not later than five (5)
	509	+	11 business days after the health care provider receives the
	510	+	12 consumer's documentation or proof of income, a written
	511	+	13 confirmation that the consumer qualifies as an eligible consumer
	512	+	14 and that the health care provider will not report or furnish to a
	513	+	15 consumer reporting agency any information related to health care
	514	+	16 debt incurred by the consumer in connection with the charges
	515	+	17 listed in the bill described in subsection (c).
	516	+	18 (f) If a consumer, with respect to a bill described in subsection
	517	+	19 (c), does not submit a specified form of documentation or proof of
	518	+	20 the consumer's household income under subsection (d)(3)(A)
	519	+	21 within the time required by subsection (d)(3)(C), the health care
	520	+	22 provider is not prohibited from reporting or furnishing to a
	521	+	23 consumer reporting agency any information related to health care
	522	+	24 debt incurred by the consumer in connection with the charges
	523	+	25 listed in the bill described in subsection (c).
	524	+	26 (g) If:
	525	+	27 (1) a consumer submits a specified form of documentation or
	526	+	28 proof of the consumer's household income under subsection
	527	+	29 (d)(3)(A) by the date required by subsection (d)(3)(C); but
	528	+	30 (2) the health care provider:
	529	+	31 (A) cannot verify the authenticity of the documentation or
	530	+	32 proof of household income using a commercially
	531	+	33 reasonable method of verification; or
	532	+	34 (B) determines that the consumer does not qualify as an
	533	+	35 eligible consumer based on the consumer's household
	534	+	36 income;
	535	+	37 the health care provider shall provide to the consumer, in the
	536	+	38 manner described in subsection (h) and not later than five (5)
	537	+	39 business days after the health care provider receives the
	538	+	40 consumer's documentation or proof of income, a written notice
	539	+	41 that the consumer does not qualify as an eligible consumer as of the
	540	+	42 date of the notice. If the health care provider is a hospital, the
	541	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 12
	542	+	1 notice must include an additional offer to the consumer to enter
	543	+	2 into a payment plan offered by the hospital under IC 16-21-6.1-1.
	544	+	3 (h) A health care provider may provide a consumer a bill or
	545	+	4 notice described in this section:
	546	+	5 (1) in a writing delivered to the consumer;
	547	+	6 (2) by electronic mail; or
	548	+	7 (3) through a mobile application or another Internet based
	549	+	8 method, if available;
	550	+	9 according to the consumer's expressed preference for
	551	+	10 communications.
	552	+	11 (i) A health care provider that determines that a consumer
	553	+	12 qualifies as an eligible consumer under subsection (e) may, at the
	554	+	13 option of the health care provider and subject to any reasonable
	555	+	14 conditions that the health care provider may impose if a
	556	+	15 consumer's financial situation changes, apply that determination
	557	+	16 of eligibility with respect to any additional charges incurred by the
	558	+	17 consumer for health care services, products, or devices provided to
	559	+	18 the consumer after the date of service of the health care services,
	560	+	19 products, or devices the charges for which were the basis of the
	561	+	20 health care provider's original determination of the consumer's
	562	+	21 eligibility.
	563	+	22 (j) After June 30, 2025, a health care provider:
	564	+	23 (1) shall not report or furnish to a consumer reporting agency
	565	+	24 any information related to health care debt owed or alleged to
	566	+	25 be owed by an eligible consumer; and
	567	+	26 (2) shall include in any contract or agreement entered into
	568	+	27 with a third party furnisher a provision that prohibits the
	569	+	28 reporting or furnishing to a consumer reporting agency any
	570	+	29 information related to health care debt owed or alleged to be
	571	+	30 owed by an eligible consumer, including information
	572	+	31 concerning any delinquent account action taken with respect
	573	+	32 to health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by an eligible
	574	+	33 consumer.
	575	+	34 (k) In referring the delinquent account of an eligible consumer
	576	+	35 to a third party furnisher, a health care provider must provide to
	577	+	36 the third party furnisher a written notice that:
	578	+	37 (1) identifies the account as belonging to an eligible consumer;
	579	+	38 and
	580	+	39 (2) references the provision in the health care provider's
	581	+	40 contract or agreement with the third party furnisher that
	582	+	41 prohibits the reporting or furnishing to a consumer reporting
	583	+	42 agency of any information related to health care debt owed or
	584	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 13
	585	+	1 alleged to be owed by an eligible consumer, as described in
	586	+	2 subsection (j)(2).
	587	+	3 (l) If information related to health care debt or any portion of
	588	+	4 health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by an eligible
	589	+	5 consumer is reported or furnished to a consumer reporting agency
	590	+	6 in violation of this section:
	591	+	7 (1) the eligible consumer who owes or is alleged to owe the
	592	+	8 health care debt is relieved from any liability to pay the
	593	+	9 amount of health care debt reported or furnished; and
	594	+	10 (2) the health care provider and any third party furnisher
	595	+	11 engaged by the health care provider before or after the
	596	+	12 reporting or furnishing of the information may not collect or
	597	+	13 attempt to collect the amount reported or furnished.
	598	+	14 (m) If information related to health care debt or any portion of
	599	+	15 health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by an eligible
	600	+	16 consumer is reported or furnished to a consumer reporting agency
	601	+	17 in violation of this section, the eligible consumer may submit a
	602	+	18 request to the consumer reporting agency to delete any record of
	603	+	19 health care debt maintained in the file of the eligible consumer and
	604	+	20 reported or furnished in violation of this section. The consumer
	605	+	21 reporting agency shall, not later than five (5) business days after
	606	+	22 receiving the request, take all lawful and reasonable actions to
	607	+	23 delete, or cause to be deleted, from the eligible consumer's file the
	608	+	24 record of the health care debt. A consumer reporting agency may:
	609	+	25 (1) prescribe the form and manner in which an eligible
	610	+	26 consumer must submit to the consumer reporting agency a
	611	+	27 request under this subsection; and
	612	+	28 (2) require the eligible consumer to furnish proper
	613	+	29 identification and income verification in connection with
	614	+	30 submitting the request.
	615	+	31 A consumer reporting agency may not impose any fee or other
	616	+	32 charge on any eligible consumer in connection with fulfilling a
	617	+	33 request submitted under this subsection.
	618	+	34 Sec. 12. (a) This section applies to health care debt that is
	619	+	35 incurred by a consumer after June 30, 2025.
	620	+	36 (b) Notwithstanding any other law, a health care provider may
	621	+	37 not do either of the following:
	622	+	38 (1) Charge or collect interest on the unpaid balances of health
	623	+	39 care debt at a rate that exceeds an annual rate of three
	624	+	40 percent (3%).
	625	+	41 (2) Initiate any delinquent account action with respect to
	626	+	42 health care debt during the pendency of an appeal by the
	627	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 14
	628	+	1 consumer for the denial of insurance or other third party
	629	+	2 coverage for the health care services, products, or devices
	630	+	3 with respect to which the health care debt was incurred.
	631	+	4 Sec. 13. A creditor shall not obtain or use medical information
	632	+	5 (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 1681a(i)) pertaining to a consumer in
	633	+	6 connection with any determination of the consumer's eligibility, or
	634	+	7 continued eligibility, for credit, as set forth in 15 U.S.C.
	635	+	8 1681b(g)(2).
	636	+	9 Sec. 14. A person who violates this chapter commits a deceptive
	637	+	10 act that is actionable under IC 24-5-0.5 only by the attorney
	638	+	11 general under IC 24-5-0.5-4(c).
	639	+	12 Sec. 15. (a) The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
	640	+	13 1681 et seq.) does not exempt:
	641	+	14 (1) a health care provider;
	642	+	15 (2) a creditor;
	643	+	16 (3) a third party furnisher; or
	644	+	17 (4) a consumer reporting agency;
	645	+	18 subject to this chapter from complying with this chapter, except to
	646	+	19 the extent that this chapter is inconsistent with any provision of the
	647	+	20 federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), and then
	648	+	21 only to the extent of the inconsistency, as provided in 15 U.S.C.
	649	+	22 1681t(a).
	650	+	23 (b) This chapter does not annul, alter, or affect any rights and
	651	+	24 remedies available to a consumer under the federal Fair Credit
	652	+	25 Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), including:
	653	+	26 (1) limitations on the furnishing of medical information (as
	654	+	27 defined in 15 U.S.C. 1681a(i)) about a consumer by a
	655	+	28 consumer reporting agency under 15 U.S.C. 1681b(g);
	656	+	29 (2) the right to request information in the consumer's file
	657	+	30 under 15 U.S.C. 1681g;
	658	+	31 (3) the right to dispute the completeness or accuracy of any
	659	+	32 item of information in the consumer's file under 15 U.S.C.
	660	+	33 1681i;
	661	+	34 (4) any applicable damages, costs, and attorney's fees
	662	+	35 available to the consumer under:
	663	+	36 (A) 15 U.S.C. 1681n for a person's willful noncompliance
	664	+	37 with the federal act; or
	665	+	38 (B) 15 U.S.C. 1681o for a person's negligent noncompliance
	666	+	39 with the federal act; and
	667	+	40 (5) any other applicable rights and remedies available to the
	668	+	41 consumer under the federal act.
	669	+	42 Sec. 16. (a) This chapter does not annul, alter, or affect any
	670	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 15
	671	+	1 obligations or duties of:
	672	+	2 (1) a health care provider;
	673	+	3 (2) a creditor;
	674	+	4 (3) a third party furnisher; or
	675	+	5 (4) a consumer reporting agency;
	676	+	6 under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
	677	+	7 Act (HIPAA) (P.L. 104-191) with respect to a consumer.
	678	+	8 (b) This chapter does not annul, alter, or affect any rights of a
	679	+	9 consumer under the federal Health Insurance Portability and
	680	+	10 Accountability Act (HIPAA) (P.L. 104-191).
	681	+	11 SECTION 6. IC 28-9-2-3.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	682	+	12 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	683	+	13 UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 3.5. "Consumer" means an individual
	684	+	14 whose principal residence is in Indiana. The term includes the
	685	+	15 following:
	686	+	16 (1) A protected consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	687	+	17 (2) A representative acting on behalf of a protected consumer
	688	+	18 (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	689	+	19 SECTION 7. IC 28-9-2-6.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	690	+	20 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	691	+	21 UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 6.5. (a) "Health care debt" means an
	692	+	22 obligation or an alleged obligation of a consumer to pay an amount
	693	+	23 related to the receipt of health care services, products, or devices
	694	+	24 provided to a person by a health care provider.
	695	+	25 (b) The term does not include debt charged to a credit card
	696	+	26 unless the credit card is issued under:
	697	+	27 (1) an open-end plan; or
	698	+	28 (2) a closed-end plan;
	699	+	29 offered specifically for the payment of health care services,
	700	+	30 products, or devices provided to a person.
	701	+	31 SECTION 8. IC 28-9-2-6.6 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	702	+	32 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	703	+	33 UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 6.6. "Health care provider" means:
	704	+	34 (1) a hospital or facility listed in IC 16-39-7-1(a)(13); or
	705	+	35 (2) a provider of ambulance services (as defined in
	706	+	36 IC 16-18-2-13.4).
	707	+	37 The term includes an affiliate, officer, agent, or employee of a
	708	+	38 person described in subdivision (1) or (2).
	709	+	39 SECTION 9. IC 28-9-3-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	710	+	40 [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 1. Except upon the conditions
	711	+	41 specified in sections 3 and 4 of this chapter, and subject to the
	712	+	42 prohibition set forth in section 1.5 of this chapter with respect to an
	713	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 16
	714	+	1 adverse claim based on health care debt owed or alleged to be owed
	715	+	2 by a consumer, notice to a depository financial institution of an
	716	+	3 adverse claim does not require the depository financial institution to:
	717	+	4 (1) recognize the adverse claim in any manner; or
	718	+	5 (2) place a hold on, or otherwise restrict withdrawal of funds
	719	+	6 from, a deposit account.
	720	+	7 SECTION 10. IC 28-9-3-1.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	721	+	8 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	722	+	9 UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 1.5. (a) This section applies to an adverse
	723	+	10 claim that is based upon:
	724	+	11 (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed
	725	+	12 by a consumer who has an interest in a deposit account, either
	726	+	13 individually or jointly or with another person; or
	727	+	14 (2) in an action:
	728	+	15 (A) against a consumer who has an interest in a deposit
	729	+	16 account, either individually or jointly or with another
	730	+	17 person; and
	731	+	18 (B) in which a judgment has been entered;
	732	+	19 any amount of the judgment that represents health care debt
	733	+	20 determined to be owed by the consumer.
	734	+	21 (b) If a depository financial institution receives notice of an
	735	+	22 adverse claim described in subsection (a), the depository financial
	736	+	23 institution may not:
	737	+	24 (1) recognize the adverse claim in any manner; or
	738	+	25 (2) place a hold on, or otherwise restrict withdrawal of funds
	739	+	26 from, a deposit account in which the consumer who is the
	740	+	27 subject of the adverse claim has an interest, either
	741	+	28 individually or jointly or with another person.
	742	+	29 SECTION 11. IC 32-28-16 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	743	+	30 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	744	+	31 UPON PASSAGE]:
	745	+	32 Chapter 16. Prohibition Against Lien on Principal Residence of
	746	+	33 a Consumer for Health Care Debt
	747	+	34 Sec. 1. (a) As used in this chapter, "consumer" means an
	748	+	35 individual whose principal residence is in Indiana.
	749	+	36 (b) The term includes the following:
	750	+	37 (1) A protected consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	751	+	38 (2) A representative acting on behalf of a protected consumer
	752	+	39 (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	753	+	40 Sec. 2. (a) As used in this chapter, "health care debt" means an
	754	+	41 obligation or an alleged obligation of a consumer to pay an amount
	755	+	42 related to the receipt of health care services, products, or devices
	756	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 17
	757	+	1 provided to a person by a health care provider.
	758	+	2 (b) The term does not include debt charged to a credit card
	759	+	3 unless the credit card is issued under:
	760	+	4 (1) an open-end plan; or
	761	+	5 (2) a closed-end plan;
	762	+	6 offered specifically for the payment of health care services,
	763	+	7 products, or devices provided to a person.
	764	+	8 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "health care provider" means:
	765	+	9 (1) a hospital or facility listed in IC 16-39-7-1(a)(13); or
	766	+	10 (2) a provider of ambulance services (as defined in
	767	+	11 IC 16-18-2-13.4).
	768	+	12 The term includes an affiliate, officer, agent, or employee of a
	769	+	13 person described in subdivision (1) or (2).
	770	+	14 Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "principal residence", with
	771	+	15 respect to a consumer, means real or personal property that:
	772	+	16 (1) is located in Indiana;
	773	+	17 (2) the consumer:
	774	+	18 (A) owns; or
	775	+	19 (B) is buying under contract;
	776	+	20 whether solely or jointly with another person; and
	777	+	21 (3) constitutes the principal place of residence of:
	778	+	22 (A) the consumer; or
	779	+	23 (B) a dependent of the consumer.
	780	+	24 Sec. 5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law:
	781	+	25 (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed
	782	+	26 by a consumer; or
	783	+	27 (2) in an action against a consumer in which a judgment has
	784	+	28 been entered, any amount of the judgment that represents
	785	+	29 health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer;
	786	+	30 does not constitute a lien against the consumer's principal
	787	+	31 residence.
	788	+	32 (b) A person having any ownership or other interest in an
	789	+	33 amount described in subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) may not assert,
	790	+	34 claim, enter, or enforce a lien against the consumer's principal
	791	+	35 residence.
	792	+	36 SECTION 12. IC 32-33-22 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
	793	+	37 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
	794	+	38 UPON PASSAGE]:
	795	+	39 Chapter 22. Prohibition Against Lien on Certain Personal
	796	+	40 Property of a Consumer for Health Care Debt
	797	+	41 Sec. 1. (a) As used in this chapter, "consumer" means an
	798	+	42 individual whose principal residence is in Indiana.
	799	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 18
	800	+	1 (b) The term includes the following:
	801	+	2 (1) A protected consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	802	+	3 (2) A representative acting on behalf of a protected consumer
	803	+	4 (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	804	+	5 Sec. 2. (a) As used in this chapter, "health care debt" means an
	805	+	6 obligation or an alleged obligation of a consumer to pay an amount
	806	+	7 related to the receipt of health care services, products, or devices
	807	+	8 provided to a person by a health care provider.
	808	+	9 (b) The term does not include debt charged to a credit card
	809	+	10 unless the credit card is issued under:
	810	+	11 (1) an open-end plan; or
	811	+	12 (2) a closed-end plan;
	812	+	13 offered specifically for the payment of health care services,
	813	+	14 products, or devices provided to a person.
	814	+	15 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "health care provider" means:
	815	+	16 (1) a hospital or facility listed in IC 16-39-7-1(a)(13); or
	816	+	17 (2) a provider of ambulance services (as defined in
	817	+	18 IC 16-18-2-13.4).
	818	+	19 The term includes an affiliate, officer, agent, or employee of a
	819	+	20 person described in subdivision (1) or (2).
	820	+	21 Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "personal property", with
	821	+	22 respect to a consumer, means any of the following that the
	822	+	23 consumer owns, or has an ownership interest in, whether solely or
	823	+	24 jointly with another person:
	824	+	25 (1) A motor vehicle (as defined in IC 9-13-2-105(a)) that is
	825	+	26 used as the consumer's primary vehicle for transporting the
	826	+	27 consumer to and from work, school, or other daily activities.
	827	+	28 (2) A deposit account (as defined in IC 28-9-2-5).
	828	+	29 (3) Any other:
	829	+	30 (A) tangible personal property, to the extent of the amount
	830	+	31 of the exemption allowed debtors under
	831	+	32 IC 34-55-10-2(c)(2) for tangible personal property, as
	832	+	33 amended by rules adopted by the department of financial
	833	+	34 institutions under IC 34-55-10-2.5; or
	834	+	35 (B) intangible personal property (including choses in
	835	+	36 action and cash, but excluding debts owing and income
	836	+	37 owing), to the extent of the amount of the exemption
	837	+	38 allowed debtors under IC 34-55-10-2(c)(3) for intangible
	838	+	39 personal property, as amended by rules adopted by the
	839	+	40 department of financial institutions under IC 34-55-10-2.5.
	840	+	41 Sec. 5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law:
	841	+	42 (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed
	842	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 19
	843	+	1 by a consumer; or
	844	+	2 (2) in an action against a consumer in which a judgment has
	845	+	3 been entered, any amount of the judgment that represents
	846	+	4 health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer;
	847	+	5 does not constitute a lien against the personal property of the
	848	+	6 consumer.
	849	+	7 (b) A person having any ownership or other interest in an
	850	+	8 amount described in subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) may not assert,
	851	+	9 claim, enter, or enforce a lien against the consumer's personal
	852	+	10 property.
	853	+	11 SECTION 13. IC 34-25-1-1.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	854	+	12 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	855	+	13 [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 1.5. (a) As used in this section,
	856	+	14 "consumer" means an individual whose principal residence is in
	857	+	15 Indiana. The term includes the following:
	858	+	16 (1) A protected consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	859	+	17 (2) A representative acting on behalf of a protected consumer
	860	+	18 (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	861	+	19 (b) As used in this section, "health care debt" means an
	862	+	20 obligation or an alleged obligation of a consumer to pay an amount
	863	+	21 related to the receipt of health care services, products, or devices
	864	+	22 provided to a person by a health care provider. The term does not
	865	+	23 include debt charged to a credit card unless the credit card is
	866	+	24 issued under:
	867	+	25 (1) an open-end plan; or
	868	+	26 (2) a closed-end plan;
	869	+	27 offered specifically for the payment of health care services,
	870	+	28 products, or devices provided to a person.
	871	+	29 (c) As used in this section, "health care provider" means:
	872	+	30 (1) a hospital or facility listed in IC 16-39-7-1(a)(13); or
	873	+	31 (2) a provider of ambulance services (as defined in
	874	+	32 IC 16-18-2-13.4).
	875	+	33 The term includes an affiliate, officer, agent, or employee of a
	876	+	34 person described in subdivision (1) or (2).
	877	+	35 (d) In any action filed, in a court of competent jurisdiction in
	878	+	36 Indiana, for the recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be
	879	+	37 owed by a consumer, the court does not have and shall not
	880	+	38 entertain jurisdiction in any:
	881	+	39 (1) action of attachment under IC 34-25-2 against the real or
	882	+	40 personal property of the consumer; or
	883	+	41 (2) action of garnishment under IC 34-25-3;
	884	+	42 upon, or any time after, the filing of the complaint in the action for
	885	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 20
	886	+	1 the recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by the
	887	+	2 consumer.
	888	+	3 SECTION 14. IC 34-55-9-0.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
	889	+	4 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
	890	+	5 [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 0.5. As used in this chapter,
	891	+	6 the following terms have the following meanings:
	892	+	7 (1) "Consumer" means an individual whose principal
	893	+	8 residence is in Indiana. The term includes the following:
	894	+	9 (A) A protected consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	895	+	10 (B) A representative acting on behalf of a protected
	896	+	11 consumer (as defined in IC 24-5-24.5-4).
	897	+	12 (2) "Health care debt" means an obligation or an alleged
	898	+	13 obligation of a consumer to pay an amount related to the
	899	+	14 receipt of health care services, products, or devices provided
	900	+	15 to a person by a health care provider. The term does not
	901	+	16 include debt charged to a credit card unless the credit card is
	902	+	17 issued under:
	903	+	18 (A) an open-end plan; or
	904	+	19 (B) a closed-end plan;
	905	+	20 offered specifically for the payment of health care services,
	906	+	21 products, or devices provided to a person.
	907	+	22 (3) "Health care provider" means:
	908	+	23 (A) a hospital or facility listed in IC 16-39-7-1(a)(13); or
	909	+	24 (B) a provider of ambulance services (as defined in
	910	+	25 IC 16-18-2-13.4).
	911	+	26 The term includes an affiliate, officer, agent, or employee of
	912	+	27 a person described in clause (A) or (B).
	913	+	28 (4) "Principal residence", with respect to a consumer, means
	914	+	29 real or personal property that:
	915	+	30 (A) is located in Indiana;
	916	+	31 (B) the consumer:
	917	+	32 (i) owns; or
	918	+	33 (ii) is buying under contract;
	919	+	34 whether solely or jointly with another person; and
	920	+	35 (C) constitutes the principal place of residence of:
	921	+	36 (i) the consumer; or
	922	+	37 (ii) a dependent of the consumer.
	923	+	38 SECTION 15. IC 34-55-9-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	924	+	39 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 1. (a) Except as
	925	+	40 provided in subsection (b), the following real estate is liable to all
	926	+	41 judgments and attachments and to be sold on execution against the
	927	+	42 debtor owing owning the real estate or for whose use the real estate is
	928	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101 21
	929	+	1 held:
	930	+	2 (1) All lands of the judgment debtor, whether in possession,
	931	+	3 remainder, or reversion.
	932	+	4 (2) All rights of redeeming mortgaged lands and all lands held by
	933	+	5 virtue of any land office certificate.
	934	+	6 (3) Lands or any estate or interest in land held by anyone in trust
	935	+	7 for or to the use of another.
	936	+	8 (4) All chattels real of the judgment debtor.
	937	+	9 (b) In any action filed, in a court of competent jurisdiction in
	938	+	10 Indiana, for the recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be
	939	+	11 owed by a consumer, the principal residence of the consumer is not
	940	+	12 liable to judgment or attachment or to be sold on execution against
	941	+	13 the consumer.
	942	+	14 SECTION 16. IC 34-55-9-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
	943	+	15 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 2. (a) Except as
	944	+	16 provided in subsection (b), all final judgments for the recovery of
	945	+	17 money or costs in the circuit court and other courts of record of general
	946	+	18 original jurisdiction in Indiana, whether state or federal, constitute a
	947	+	19 lien upon real estate and chattels real liable to execution in the county
	948	+	20 where the judgment has been duly entered and indexed in the judgment
	949	+	21 docket as provided by law:
	950	+	22 (1) after the time the judgment was entered and indexed; and
	951	+	23 (2) until the expiration of ten (10) years after the rendition of the
	952	+	24 judgment;
	953	+	25 exclusive of any time during which the party was restrained from
	954	+	26 proceeding on the lien by an appeal, an injunction, the death of the
	955	+	27 defendant, or the agreement of the parties entered of record.
	956	+	28 (b) A final judgment for the recovery of money or costs in any
	957	+	29 action filed, in a court of competent jurisdiction in Indiana, for the
	958	+	30 recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a
	959	+	31 consumer does not constitute a lien upon the principal residence of
	960	+	32 the consumer.
	961	+	33 SECTION 17. An emergency is declared for this act.
	962	+	2025 IN 317—LS 7017/DI 101