This bill aims to protect individuals from discrimination based on medical debt in the context of residential leasing and consumer credit reporting. It amends AS 18.80.240 to make it unlawful for property owners, lessees, or managers to refuse to lease or rent property to someone due to their medical debt. The bill prohibits various discriminatory practices, including inquiries about a person's medical debt, misrepresenting property availability, and publishing discriminatory advertisements. Additionally, it defines "medical debt" as per AS 45.48.800(c).

Furthermore, the bill introduces new provisions under AS 45.48, specifically stating that medical creditors and debt collectors cannot report medical debt to consumer credit reporting agencies. If they do, the consumer's obligation to pay that debt becomes void and unenforceable. It also prohibits consumer credit reporting agencies from including medical debt in credit reports or using it to calculate credit scores. The definitions of "medical creditor" and "medical debt collector" are provided to clarify the entities involved in these transactions. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
HB0178A, AM HB 178, introduced 04/09/2025: 18.80.220, 18.80.200, 18.80.280, 18.80.240, 18.80.300, 45.85.800
HB0178B, AM CSHB 178(L&C), introduced 05/09/2025: 18.80.240, 45.48.800