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HB 223

Consumer Protection - As introduced, prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including on a consumer report a record of a medical debt judgment that is filed in this state. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 8; Title 16; Title 18; Title 20; Title 21; Title 27; Title 28; Title 29; Title 45 and Title 47.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by John Clemmons

Tennessee bill prohibits credit bureaus from reporting medical debt judgments, protecting consumers from credit damage after health crises.

Taken off notice for cal in s/c Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee of Commerce Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 223

Legislative bill overview

HB 223 prohibits consumer reporting agencies (credit bureaus) from including medical debt judgments on consumer credit reports in Tennessee. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee code to implement this prohibition across the state's consumer protection and credit reporting framework.

Why is this important

Medical debt is the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the U.S., and including medical judgments on credit reports can severely damage creditworthiness for years, even when debts result from catastrophic health events beyond a consumer's control. This bill could help Tennesseans recover financially after medical crises without the added burden of damaged credit scores affecting their ability to obtain loans, housing, or employment.

Potential points of contention

  • Lender concerns: Credit reporting agencies and lenders may argue that medical judgment information is necessary for accurate risk assessment, potentially leading to higher interest rates or denial of credit if they cannot access this data
  • Implementation ambiguity: The bill's broad amendments across nine Tennessee code titles raise questions about how medical judgments will be defined, when they're considered "filed," and whether other debt types should receive similar treatment
  • Incomplete solution: The prohibition only applies to judgments for medical debt, not the underlying medical debt itself, leaving consumers' credit reports potentially still affected by unpaid medical bills that haven't reached court judgment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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