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HF 1646

Definition of debt buyer modified, Undue Medical Debt grant funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kristin Bahner and 23 co-sponsors

Modifies the debt buyer definition, provides Undue Medical Debt grants, and requires reporting to boost transparency and support patients facing undue medical debt.

Author added Finke
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Bill Summary · HF 1646

Summary: Minnesota HF 1646

HF 1646 proposes changes related to debt collection, specifically around debt buyers, and establishes funding and reporting for addressing undue medical debt. The bill includes an appropriation to support these efforts and involves the Commerce Department and health-related agencies.

Basic Information

  • Bill Number: HF 1646
  • Title: Definition of debt buyer modified; Undue Medical Debt grant funding provided; reports required; and money appropriated
  • Status: Author added Finke (as of 2025-04-10)
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Subject: Commerce Department; Health and Health Department
  • Companion/Related Bill: SF 1347

Purpose and Intent

  • Modernize or clarify the definition of “debt buyer” in state law.
  • Create or authorize funding for Undue Medical Debt grants to address issues arising from medical debt that is deemed undue or excessive.
  • Improve transparency and accountability through required reports.
  • Provide state funding (money appropriated) to support the grant program and related activities, administered by the appropriate agencies.

Key Provisions (as described by bill title and summary)

  • Definition of debt buyer modified: The bill changes how debt buyers are defined in Minnesota law, which can affect which entities are regulated or subject to certain rules governing debt collection.
  • Undue Medical Debt grant funding provided: Establishes or authorizes a grant program aimed at alleviating or addressing undue medical debt, with funding to be provided by the state.
  • Reports required: Stipulates reporting requirements, likely to track grant outcomes, debt collection practices, or medical debt data, to increase transparency and oversight.
  • Money appropriated: The bill includes an appropriation to fund the grant program and related activities (specific amounts are not provided in the available information).

Who would be Affected

  • Debt buyers and debt collection entities subject to the revised definition and any related regulatory or reporting requirements.
  • Medical debtors/patients who may benefit from grants intended to address undue medical debt.
  • Hospitals, healthcare providers, and insurers involved in medical billing and debt collection practices.
  • State agencies (notably the Commerce Department and health-related departments) tasked with administering the grant program, implementing the debt buyer definition changes, and producing required reports.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • February 27, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy committee at first reading.
  • March–April 2025: Sequence of author additions reflecting growing sponsorship:
    • Feb 27: Introduction; first reading
    • Mar 6, Apr 3, Apr 10, and other dates show authors being added (Pérez-Vega, Mahamoud, Vang, Lee, F., Hemmingsen-Jaeger, Hollins, Kraft, Jones)
    • Apr 10, 2025: Finke added as an author
  • Companion bill: SF 1347 (in the Senate) aligns with HF 1646.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • The revised debt buyer definition could change which entities are regulated, potentially affecting debt-collection practices and compliance requirements.
  • The Undue Medical Debt grant program represents a targeted policy tool to mitigate burdens of medical debt; effectiveness will depend on grant criteria, funding level, and administration.
  • Required reporting could improve legislative oversight and public transparency regarding debt collection and the impact of grants.
  • Overall fiscal impact depends on the final appropriation amount and how the program is administered.

Notes

  • Exact statutory language, grant criteria, match requirements (if any), reporting specifics, and the appropriation amount are not provided in the summary. The bill text will clarify these provisions and any implementing timelines.

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

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