House Bill No. 1709 aims to protect consumers from the negative impacts of medical debt related to lifesaving and emergency care services. The bill defines key terms such as "consumer," "creditor," "debt collector," and "Oklahoma medical facility," establishing a clear framework for understanding the legislation. It specifically prohibits creditors and debt collectors from reporting consumer debt incurred from these medical services to consumer reporting agencies. Additionally, it bars consumer reporting agencies from including such debts on consumer reports, thereby preventing potential harm to consumers' credit ratings due to medical expenses incurred in emergencies.

The bill is set to be codified as Section 181 of Title 24 in the Oklahoma Statutes and will take effect on November 1, 2025. This legislation reflects a growing recognition of the need to shield consumers from the financial repercussions of unavoidable medical debt, particularly in urgent situations where individuals may not have the opportunity to consider their financial options.