MD
Maryland House Bill HB765

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB765 Compare Versions

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33 EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
44 [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5- Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6- Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7-amendment.
85 *hb0765*
96
107 HOUSE BILL 765
118 J3 EMERGENCY BILL 5lr0749
129 SB 1006/24 – FIN
13-By: Delegate Ivey Delegates Ivey, Spiegel, Pena –Melnyk, Cullison, Alston,
14-Bagnall, Bhandari, Guzzone, Hill, S. Johnson, Kaiser, Kerr, Lopez,
15-Martinez, Rosenberg, Taveras, White Holland, Woods, Woorman, and Ross
10+By: Delegate Ivey
1611 Introduced and read first time: January 29, 2025
1712 Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
18-Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
19-House action: Adopted
20-Read second time: March 1, 2025
2113
22-CHAPTER ______
14+A BILL ENTITLED
2315
2416 AN ACT concerning 1
2517
2618 Hospitals – Medical Debt Collection – Sale of Patient Debt 2
2719
2820 FOR the purpose of authorizing a hospital, under certain circumstances, to sell the medical 3
2921 debt of patients if the debt is sold to a governmental unit or an entity under contract 4
30-with the unit or to a nonprofit organization for the purpose of canceling the debt; 5
31-requiring that a hospital’s financial policy require the hospital to dismiss actions 6
32-pending against a patient for the collection of debt that was sold and prohibit the 7
33-hospital from engaging in specified collection activities on patient debt that was sold; 8
34-requiring a purchaser of medical debt to notify the patient of certain information and 9
35-to take certain other actions; and generally relating to hospital debt collection 10
36-policies and the sale of patient debt. 11
22+with the unit for the purpose of canceling the debt; requiring that a hospital’s 5
23+financial policy require the hospital to dismiss actions pending against a patient for 6
24+the collection of debt that was sold and prohibit the hospital from engaging in 7
25+specified collection activities on patient debt that was sold; requiring a purchaser of 8
26+medical debt to notify the patient of certain information and to take certain other 9
27+actions; and generally relating to hospital debt collection policies and the sale of 10
28+patient debt. 11
3729
3830 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 12
3931 Article – Health – General 13
4032 Section 19–214.2(a), (b), (f), (m), and (n) and 19–219(a)(3) 14
4133 Annotated Code of Maryland 15
4234 (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
4335
4436 BY adding to 17
4537 Article – Health – General 18
4638 Section 19–214.2(m) 19
4739 Annotated Code of Maryland 20
48- (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21 2 HOUSE BILL 765
40+ (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21
41+
42+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 22
43+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 23
44+
45+Article – Health – General 24
46+
47+19–214.2. 25
48+ 2 HOUSE BILL 765
49+
50+
51+ (a) (1) Each hospital annually shall submit to the Commission: 1
52+
53+ (i) At times prescribed by the Commission, the hospital’s policy on 2
54+the collection of debts owed by patients; and 3
55+
56+ (ii) A report including: 4
57+
58+ 1. The total number of patients by race or ethnicity, gender, 5
59+and zip code of residence against whom the hospital, or a debt collector used by the hospital, 6
60+filed an action to collect a debt owed on a hospital bill; 7
61+
62+ 2. The total number of patients by race or ethnicity, gender, 8
63+and zip code of residence with respect to whom the hospital has and has not reported or 9
64+classified a bad debt; [and] 10
65+
66+ 3. The total dollar amount of the charges for hospital services 11
67+provided to patients but not collected by the hospital for patients covered by insurance, 12
68+including the out–of–pocket costs for patients covered by insurance, and patients without 13
69+insurance; AND 14
70+
71+ 4. FOR HOSPITAL DEBTS OW ED BY PATIENTS OF TH E 15
72+HOSPITAL THAT THE HO SPITAL SOLD TO A GOVE RNMENTAL UNIT OR CON TRACTOR 16
73+UNDER SUBSECTION (M) OF THIS SECTION: 17
74+
75+ A. THE TOTAL DOLLAR AMOU NT OF THE DEBT SOLD BY 18
76+THE HOSPITAL FOR THE REPORTING YEAR ; 19
77+
78+ B. THE TOTAL DOLLAR AMOU NT PAID TO THE HOSPI TAL 20
79+BY THE UNIT OR CONTR ACTOR WH O PURCHASED THE DEBT ; AND 21
80+
81+ C. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF P ATIENTS WHOSE DEBT W AS 22
82+SOLD, IN FULL OR IN PART , TO THE UNIT OR CONTR ACTOR WHO PURCHASED THE 23
83+DEBT. 24
84+
85+ (2) The Commission shall post the information submitted under paragraph 25
86+(1) of this subsection on its website. 26
87+
88+ (b) The policy submitted under subsection (a)(1) of this section shall: 27
89+
90+ (1) Provide for active oversight by the hospital of any contract for collection 28
91+of debts on behalf of the hospital; 29
92+
93+ (2) [Prohibit] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (M) OF THIS 30
94+SECTION, PROHIBIT the hospital from selling any debt; 31
95+ HOUSE BILL 765 3
96+
97+
98+ (3) Prohibit the charging of interest on bills incurred by self–pay patients 1
99+before a court judgment is obtained; 2
100+
101+ (4) Describe in detail the consideration by the hospital of patient income, 3
102+assets, and other criteria; 4
103+
104+ (5) Prohibit the hospital from reporting to a consumer reporting agency or 5
105+filing a civil action to collect a debt within 180 days after the initial bill is provided; 6
106+
107+ (6) Describe the hospital’s procedures for collecting a debt; 7
108+
109+ (7) Describe the circumstances in which the hospital will seek a judgment 8
110+against a patient; 9
111+
112+ (8) In accordance with subsection (c) of this section, provide for a refund of 10
113+amounts collected from a patient or the guarantor of a patient who was later found to be 11
114+eligible for free care within 240 days after the initial bill was provided; 12
115+
116+ (9) If the hospital has obtained a judgment against or reported adverse 13
117+information to a consumer reporting agency about a patient who later was found to be 14
118+eligible for free care within 240 days after the initial bill was provided for which the 15
119+judgment was awarded or the adverse information was reported, require the hospital to 16
120+seek to vacate the judgment or strike the adverse information; 17
121+
122+ (10) Provide a mechanism for a patient to: 18
123+
124+ (i) Request the hospital to reconsider the denial of free or 19
125+reduced–cost care; 20
126+
127+ (ii) File with the hospital a complaint against the hospital or a debt 21
128+collector used by the hospital regarding the handling of the patient’s bill; and 22
129+
130+ (iii) Allow the patient and the hospital to mutually agree to modify 23
131+the terms of a payment plan offered under subsection (e) of this section or entered into with 24
132+the patient; [and] 25
133+
134+ (11) Prohibit the hospital from collecting additional fees in an amount that 26
135+exceeds the approved charge for the hospital service as established by the Commission for 27
136+which the medical debt is owed on a bill for a patient who is eligible for free or 28
137+reduced–cost care under the hospital’s financial assistance policy; 29
138+
139+ (12) REQUIRE THE HOSPITAL TO DISMISS ACTIONS P ENDING AGAINST 30
140+A PATIENT FOR COLLEC TION OF DEBT THAT WA S SOLD UNDER SUBSECT ION (M) OF 31
141+THIS SECTION; AND 32
142+
143+ (13) PROHIBIT THE HOSPITAL FROM: 33 4 HOUSE BILL 765
49144
50145
51146
52- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 1
53-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 2
147+ (I) ENGAGING IN COLLECTIO N ACTIVITIES ON 100% OF THE 1
148+OUTSTANDING AMOUNT O F THE COMMISSION–SET CHARGE FOR DEBT SOLD UNDER 2
149+SUBSECTION (M) OF THIS SECTION; AND 3
54150
55-Article – Health – General 3
151+ (II) COLLECTING ON JUDGMEN TS ENTERED INTO ON P ATIENT 4
152+DEBT THAT WAS SOLD U NDER SUBSECTION (M) OF THIS SECTION . 5
56153
57-19–214.2. 4
154+ (f) (1) For at least 180 days after issuing an initial patient bill, a hospital may 6
155+not report adverse information about a patient to a consumer reporting agency or 7
156+commence civil action against a patient for nonpayment. 8
58157
59- (a) (1) Each hospital annually shall submit to the Commission: 5
158+ (2) A hospital shall report the fulfillment of a patient’s payment obligation 9
159+within 60 days after the obligation is fulfilled to any consumer reporting agency to which 10
160+the hospital had reported adverse information about the patient, INCLUDING IF THE DEB T 11
161+WAS SOLD UNDER SUBSE CTION (M) OF THIS SECTION . 12
60162
61- (i) At times prescribed by the Commission, the hospital’s policy on 6
62-the collection of debts owed by patients; and 7
163+ (3) A hospital may not report adverse information to a consumer reporting 13
164+agency regarding a patient who at the time of service was uninsured or eligible for free or 14
165+reduced–cost care under § 19–214.1 of this subtitle. 15
63166
64- (ii) A report including: 8
167+ (4) A hospital may not report adverse information about a patient to a 16
168+consumer reporting agency, commence a civil action against a patient for nonpayment, or 17
169+delegate collection activity to a debt collector: 18
65170
66- 1. The total number of patients by race or ethnicity, gender, 9
67-and zip code of residence against whom the hospital, or a debt collector used by the hospital, 10
68-filed an action to collect a debt owed on a hospital bill; 11
171+ (i) If the hospital was notified in accordance with federal law by the 19
172+patient or the insurance carrier that an appeal or a review of a health insurance decision 20
173+is pending within the immediately preceding 60 days; [or] 21
69174
70- 2. The total number of patients by race or ethnicity, gender, 12
71-and zip code of residence with respect to whom the hospital has and has not reported or 13
72-classified a bad debt; [and] 14
175+ (ii) If the hospital has completed a requested reconsideration of the 22
176+denial of free or reduced–cost care that was appropriately completed by the patient within 23
177+the immediately preceding 60 days; OR 24
73178
74- 3. The total dollar amount of the charges for hospital services 15
75-provided to patients but not collected by the hospital for patients covered by insurance, 16
76-including the out–of–pocket costs for patients covered by insurance, and patients without 17
77-insurance; AND 18
179+ (III) IF THE HOSPITAL SOLD THE DEBT UNDER SUBSE CTION (M) 25
180+OF THIS SECTION . 26
78181
79- 4. FOR HOSPITAL DEBTS OW ED BY PATIENTS OF TH E 19
80-HOSPITAL THAT THE HO SPITAL SOLD TO A GOV ERNMENTAL UNIT OR, CONTRACTOR , 20
81-OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZ ATION UNDER SUBSECTION (M) OF THIS SECTION: 21
182+ (5) If a hospital has reported adverse information about a patient to a 27
183+consumer reporting agency, the hospital shall instruct the consumer reporting agency to 28
184+delete the adverse information about the patient: 29
82185
83- A. THE TOTAL DOLLAR AMOU NT OF THE DEBT SOLD BY 22
84-THE HOSPITAL FOR THE REPORTING YEAR ; 23
186+ (i) If the hospital was informed by the patient or the insurance 30
187+carrier that an appeal or a review of a health insurance decision is pending, and until 60 31
188+days after the appeal is complete; or 32
85189
86- B. THE TOTAL DOLLAR AMOU NT PAID TO THE HOSPI TAL 24
87-BY THE UNIT OR, CONTRACTOR , OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZ ATION WHO PURCHASED 25
88-THE DEBT; AND 26
89-
90- C. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF P ATIENTS WHOSE DEBT W AS 27
91-SOLD, IN FULL OR IN PART , TO THE UNIT OR, CONTRACTOR , OR NONPROFIT 28
92-ORGANIZATION WHO PURCHASED THE DE BT. 29
93-
94- (2) The Commission shall post the information submitted under paragraph 30
95-(1) of this subsection on its website. 31
96- HOUSE BILL 765 3
190+ (ii) Until 60 days after the hospital has completed a requested 33
191+reconsideration of the denial of free or reduced–cost care. 34 HOUSE BILL 765 5
97192
98193
99- (b) The policy submitted under subsection (a)(1) of this section shall: 1
100194
101- (1) Provide for active oversight by the hospital of any contract for collection 2
102-of debts on behalf of the hospital; 3
195+ (M) (1) (I) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A 1
196+HOSPITAL MAY SELL DEBT OWE D TO THE HOSPITAL BY A PATIENT FOR HOSPIT AL 2
197+SERVICES TO A GOVERN MENTAL UNIT OR AN EN TITY THAT IS UNDER C ONTRACT 3
198+WITH THE UNIT FOR TH E SOLE PURPOSE OF CA NCELING THE DEBT . 4
103199
104- (2) [Prohibit] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (M) OF THIS 4
105-SECTION, PROHIBIT the hospital from selling any debt; 5
200+ (II) THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE HOSPITAL AND THE 5
201+GOVERNMENTAL UN IT OR CONTRACTOR PUR CHASING THE DEBT UND ER THIS 6
202+SUBSECTION SHALL STA TE THAT THE SOLE PURPOS E OF THE SALE OF THE DEBT IS 7
203+TO CANCEL THE DEBT . 8
106204
107- (3) Prohibit the charging of interest on bills incurred by self–pay patients 6
108-before a court judgment is obtained; 7
205+ (III) THE PATIENT IS NOT RE SPONSIBLE TO THE HOS PITAL, THE 9
206+GOVERNMENTAL UNIT , OR THE CONTRACTOR FO R ANY AMOUNT OF THE DEBT THAT 10
207+IS SOLD UNDER THIS S UBSECTION OR ANY INT EREST, FEES, OR COSTS ASSOCIATED 11
208+WITH THE DEBT OR THE SALE. 12
109209
110- (4) Describe in detail the consideration by the hospital of patient income, 8
111-assets, and other criteria; 9
210+ (2) DEBT SOLD UNDER THIS SUBSECTION: 13
112211
113- (5) Prohibit the hospital from reporting to a consumer reporting agency or 10
114-filing a civil action to collect a debt within 180 days after the initial bill is provided; 11
212+ (I) MUST BE FOR HOSPITAL SERVICES PROVIDED AT LEAST 2 14
213+YEARS BEFORE THE DAT E OF THE SALE; 15
115214
116- (6) Describe the hospital’s procedures for collecting a debt; 12
215+ (II) MAY NOT BE EXPECTED T O YIELD ADDITIONAL 16
216+REIMBURSEMENTS FROM A THIRD–PARTY PAYOR; 17
117217
118- (7) Describe the circumstances in which the hospital will seek a judgment 13
119-against a patient; 14
218+ (III) MAY NOT BE SUBJECT TO AN OPEN APPEAL WITH AN 18
219+INSURANCE COMPANY ; AND 19
120220
121- (8) In accordance with subsection (c) of this section, provide for a refund of 15
122-amounts collected from a patient or the guarantor of a patient who was later found to be 16
123-eligible for free care within 240 days after the initial bill was provided; 17
221+ (IV) MUST BE FOR AN INDIVI DUAL WHOSE FAMILY IN COME IS AT 20
222+OR BELOW 500% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL OR WHO HAS MEDICAL DEBT 21
223+EXCEEDING 5% OF THE INDIVIDUAL ’S FAMILY INCOME , AS DETERMINED BY THE 22
224+GOVERNMENTAL UNIT OR CONTRACTOR PURCHASIN G THE DEBT. 23
124225
125- (9) If the hospital has obtained a judgment against or reported adverse 18
126-information to a consumer reporting agency about a patient who later was found to be 19
127-eligible for free care within 240 days after the initial bill was provided for which the 20
128-judgment was awarded or the adverse information was reported, require the hospital to 21
129-seek to vacate the judgment or strike the adverse information; 22
226+ (3) DEBT SOLD UNDER THIS SUBSECTION MAY BE SO LD WITH A 24
227+REDUCTION OF COMMISSION CHARGES . 25
130228
131- (10) Provide a mechanism for a patient to: 23
229+ (4) THE COMMISSION SHALL TREA T THE AMOUNT OF PAYM ENTS TO 26
230+HOSPITALS UNDER THIS SUBSECTION AS AN OFF SET TO UNCOMPENSATED CARE 27
231+AMOUNTS REPORTED BY HOSPITALS. 28
132232
133- (i) Request the hospital to reconsider the denial of free or 24
134-reduced–cost care; 25
233+ (5) THE PURCHASER OF THE DEBT SHALL: 29
135234
136- (ii) File with the hospital a complaint against the hospital or a debt 26
137-collector used by the hospital regarding the handling of the patient’s bill; and 27
138-
139- (iii) Allow the patient and the hospital to mutually agree to modify 28
140-the terms of a payment plan offered under subsection (e) of this section or entered into with 29
141-the patient; [and] 30
142-
143- (11) Prohibit the hospital from collecting additional fees in an amount that 31
144-exceeds the approved charge for the hospital service as established by the Commission for 32 4 HOUSE BILL 765
145-
146-
147-which the medical debt is owed on a bill for a patient who is eligible for free or 1
148-reduced–cost care under the hospital’s financial assistance policy; 2
149-
150- (12) REQUIRE THE HOSPITAL TO DISMISS ACTIONS P ENDING AGAINST 3
151-A PATIENT FOR COLLEC TION OF DEBT THAT WA S SOLD UNDER SUBSECT ION (M) OF 4
152-THIS SECTION; AND 5
153-
154- (13) PROHIBIT THE HOSPITAL FROM: 6
155-
156- (I) ENGAGING IN COLLECTION ACTIVITIE S ON 100% OF THE 7
157-OUTSTANDING AMOUNT O F THE COMMISSION–SET CHARGE FOR DEBT SOLD UNDER 8
158-SUBSECTION (M) OF THIS SECTION; AND 9
159-
160- (II) COLLECTING ON JUDGMEN TS ENTERED INTO ON P ATIENT 10
161-DEBT THAT WAS SOLD U NDER SUBSECTION (M) OF THIS SECTION . 11
162-
163- (f) (1) For at least 180 days after issuing an initial patient bill, a hospital may 12
164-not report adverse information about a patient to a consumer reporting agency or 13
165-commence civil action against a patient for nonpayment. 14
166-
167- (2) A hospital shall report the fulfillment of a patient’s payment obligation 15
168-within 60 days after the obligation is fulfilled to any consumer reporting agency to which 16
169-the hospital had reported adverse information about the patient, INCLUDING IF THE DEB T 17
170-WAS SOLD UNDER SUBSE CTION (M) OF THIS SECTION. 18
171-
172- (3) A hospital may not report adverse information to a consumer reporting 19
173-agency regarding a patient who at the time of service was uninsured or eligible for free or 20
174-reduced–cost care under § 19–214.1 of this subtitle. 21
175-
176- (4) A hospital may not report adverse information about a patient to a 22
177-consumer reporting agency, commence a civil action against a patient for nonpayment, or 23
178-delegate collection activity to a debt collector: 24
179-
180- (i) If the hospital was notified in accordance with federal law by the 25
181-patient or the insurance carrier that an appeal or a review of a health insurance decision 26
182-is pending within the immediately preceding 60 days; [or] 27
183-
184- (ii) If the hospital has completed a requested reconsideration of the 28
185-denial of free or reduced–cost care that was appropriately completed by the patient within 29
186-the immediately preceding 60 days; OR 30
187-
188- (III) IF THE HOSPITAL SOLD THE DEBT UNDER SUBSE CTION (M) 31
189-OF THIS SECTION . 32
190- HOUSE BILL 765 5
191-
192-
193- (5) If a hospital has reported adverse information about a patient to a 1
194-consumer reporting agency, the hospital shall instruct the consumer reporting agency to 2
195-delete the adverse information about the patient: 3
196-
197- (i) If the hospital was informed by the patient or the insurance 4
198-carrier that an appeal or a review of a health insurance decision is pending, and until 60 5
199-days after the appeal is complete; or 6
200-
201- (ii) Until 60 days after the hospital has completed a requested 7
202-reconsideration of the denial of free or reduced–cost care. 8
203-
204- (M) (1) (I) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A 9
205-HOSPITAL MAY SELL DE BT OWED TO THE HOSPI TAL BY A PATIENT FOR HOSPITAL 10
206-SERVICES TO A GOVERN MENTAL UNIT OR AN EN TITY THAT IS UNDER C ONTRACT 11
207-WITH THE UNIT OR TO A NONPROFIT OR GANIZATION THAT IS E XEMPT FROM 12
208-TAXATION UNDER § 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE FOR THE SOLE 13
209-PURPOSE OF CANCELING THE DEBT. 14
210-
211- (II) THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE HOSPITAL AND THE 15
212-GOVERNMENTAL UNIT OR, CONTRACTOR , OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZ ATION 16
213-PURCHASING THE DEBT UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL STATE THAT THE SOLE 17
214-PURPOSE OF THE SALE OF THE DEBT IS TO CANCEL THE DEB T. 18
215-
216- (III) THE PATIENT IS NOT RE SPONSIBLE TO THE HOS PITAL, THE 19
217-GOVERNMENTAL UNIT , OR THE CONTRACTOR , OR THE NONPROFIT ORG ANIZATION 20
218-FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TH E DEBT THAT IS SOLD UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N OR ANY 21
219-INTEREST, FEES, OR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEBT OR THE SALE. 22
220-
221- (2) DEBT SOLD UNDER THIS SUBSECTION: 23
222-
223- (I) MUST BE FOR HOSPITAL SERVICES PROVIDED AT LEAST 2 24
224-YEARS BEFORE THE DAT E OF THE SALE; 25
225-
226- (II) MAY NOT BE EXPECTED T O YIELD ADDITIONAL 26
227-REIMBURSEMENTS FROM A THIRD–PARTY PAYOR; 27
228-
229- (III) MAY NOT BE SUBJECT TO AN OPEN APPEAL WITH AN 28
230-INSURANCE COMPANY ; AND 29
231-
232- (IV) MUST BE FOR AN INDIVI DUAL WHOSE FAMILY IN COME IS AT 30
233-OR BELOW 500% OF THE FEDERAL POVER TY LEVEL OR WHO HAS MEDICAL DEBT 31
234-EXCEEDING 5% OF THE INDIVIDUAL ’S FAMILY INCOME , AS DETERMINED BY THE 32
235-GOVERNMENTAL UNIT OR, CONTRACTOR , OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZ ATION 33
236-PURCHASING THE DEBT . 34
235+ (I) NOTIFY THE PATIENT TH AT THE DEBT HAS BEEN 30
236+CANCELED; AND 31
237237 6 HOUSE BILL 765
238238
239239
240- (3) DEBT SOLD UNDER THIS SUBSECTION MAY BE SO LD WITH A 1
241-REDUCTION OF COMMISSION CHARGES . 2
240+ (II) IF THE HOSPITAL OBTAI NED A JUDGMENT AGAIN ST THE 1
241+PATIENT OR REPORTED ADVERSE INFORMATION TO A CONSUMER REPORT ING 2
242+AGENCY ABOUT THE PAT IENT, SEEK TO VACATE THE J UDGMENT OR STRIKE TH E 3
243+ADVERSE INFORMATION . 4
242244
243- (4) THE COMMISSION SHALL TREA T THE AMOUNT O F PAYMENTS TO 3
244-HOSPITALS UNDER THIS SUBSECTION AS AN OFF SET TO UNCOMPENSATED CARE 4
245-AMOUNTS REPORTED BY HOSPITALS. 5
245+ [(m)] (N) The Commission shall review each hospital’s implementation of and 5
246+compliance with the hospital’s policies and the requirements of this section. 6
246247
247- (5) THE PURCHASER OF THE DEBT SHALL: 6
248+ [(n)] (O) (1) On or before February 1 each year, beginning in 2023, the 7
249+Commission shall compile the information required under subsection (a) of this section and 8
250+prepare a medical debt collection report based on the compiled information. 9
248251
249- (I) NOTIFY THE PATIENT TH AT THE DEBT HAS BEEN 7
250-CANCELED; AND 8
252+ (2) The report required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be: 10
251253
252- (II) IF THE HOSPITAL OBTAI NED A JUDGMENT AGAINST THE 9
253-PATIENT OR REPORTED ADVERSE INFORMATION TO A CONSUMER REPORT ING 10
254-AGENCY ABOUT THE PAT IENT, SEEK TO VACATE THE J UDGMENT OR STRIKE TH E 11
255-ADVERSE INFORMATION . 12
254+ (i) Made available to the public free of charge; and 11
256255
257- [(m)] (N) The Commission shall review each hospital’s implementation of and 13
258-compliance with the hospital’s policies and the requirements of this section. 14
256+ (ii) Submitted to the Senate Finance Committee and the House 12
257+Health and Government Operations Committee in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 13
258+Government Article. 14
259259
260- [(n)] (O) (1) On or before February 1 each year, beginning in 2023, the 15
261-Commission shall compile the information required under subsection (a) of this section and 16
262-prepare a medical debt collection report based on the compiled information. 17
260+19–219. 15
263261
264- (2) The report required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be: 18
262+ (a) The Commission may review the costs, and rates, quality, and efficiency of 16
263+facility services, and make any investigation that the Commission considers necessary to 17
264+assure each purchaser of health care facility services that: 18
265265
266- (i) Made available to the public free of charge; and 19
266+ (3) [The] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN § 19–214.2(M) OF THIS SUBTITLE , 19
267+THE rates are set equitably among all purchasers or classes of purchasers without undue 20
268+discrimination or preference. 21
267269
268- (ii) Submitted to the Senate Finance Committee and the H ouse 20
269-Health and Government Operations Committee in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 21
270-Government Article. 22
270+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act is an emergency 22
271+measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health or safety, has 23
272+been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three–fifths of all the members elected to 24
273+each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take effect from the date it is 25
274+enacted. It shall remain effective through December 31, 2027, and, at the end of December 26
275+31, 2027, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be 27
276+abrogated and of no further force and effect. 28
271277
272-19–219. 23
273-
274- (a) The Commission may review the costs, and rates, quality, and efficiency of 24
275-facility services, and make any investigation that the Commission considers necessary to 25
276-assure each purchaser of health care facility services that: 26
277-
278- (3) [The] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN § 19–214.2(M) OF THIS SUBTITLE , 27
279-THE rates are set equitably among all purchasers or classes of purchasers without undue 28
280-discrimination or preference. 29
281-
282- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act is an emergency 30
283-measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health or safety, has 31
284-been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three–fifths of all the members elected to 32
285-each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take effect from the date it is 33 HOUSE BILL 765 7
286-
287-
288-enacted July 1, 2025. It shall remain effective through December 31, 2027, and, at the end 1
289-of December 31, 2027 for a period of 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2028, this Act, with 2
290-no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further 3
291-force and effect. 4
292-
293-
294-
295-
296-
297-Approved:
298-________________________________________________________________________________
299- Governor.
300-________________________________________________________________________________
301- Speaker of the House of Delegates.
302-________________________________________________________________________________
303- President of the Senate.