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, managers, or lessees to refuse rental or lease agreements, discriminate in terms or conditions, inquire about medical debt, misrepresent property availability, or publish discriminatory advertisements based on a person's medical debt. The bill defines "medical debt" as per AS 45.48.800(c).

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions under AS 45.48, specifically prohibiting medical creditors and debt collectors from communicating or reporting medical debt to consumer credit reporting agencies. If such communication occurs, the consumer's obligation to pay the debt becomes void and unenforceable. Furthermore, consumer credit reporting agencies are barred from including medical debt in consumer reports or using it to calculate credit scores. The definitions of "medical creditor" and "medical debt collector" are also 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