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SB 449

TO PROVIDE CIVIL IMMUNITY FOR CONFISCATION OF ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS, VAPOR PRODUCTS, E-LIQUID PRODUCTS, TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND CIGARETTE PAPERS FROM A MINOR AT A SCHOOL.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Howard Beaty and 1 co-sponsor

Senate Bill 449 requires hospitals to offer financial aid based on income, protects patients from adverse credit reporting, and establishes a medical debt relief fund.

Notification that SB449 is now Act 669
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 449

Summary of Senate Bill 449: Continuing Budget Operations Part IV

Bill Information:
- Bill Number: SB 449
- Title: Continuing Budget Operations Part IV
- Status: Chapter SL 2025-97
- Introduced: June 26, 2025
- Sponsors: Senator Sarah Anthony (primary)

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 449 aims to address medical debt and financial assistance for patients in hospitals. The bill establishes requirements for hospitals to create financial assistance programs based on patients' income and their ability to pay, while also regulating how medical debt is reported and collected.

Key Provisions

1. Definitions

  • Health Care Good: Includes medical products, devices, durable medical equipment, and prescription drugs.
  • Health Care Service: Encompasses a wide range of medical, behavioral, and nursing services.
  • Medical Debt: Refers to debts arising from health care services or goods, excluding certain credit card debts.

2. Financial Assistance Programs

  • Implementation Deadline: Hospitals must develop and implement a financial assistance program by January 1, 2027.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Programs must base eligibility on federal poverty guidelines and consider patients with unpaid bills exceeding 30% of their annual income.
  • Discounts: Uninsured patients with incomes at or below 350% of the federal poverty level may receive up to a 100% discount.

3. Consumer Reporting Agency Regulations

  • Reporting Restrictions: Consumer reporting agencies cannot include adverse information related to medical debt in consumer reports, except under specific conditions involving high-value credit transactions.
  • Collection Agency Requirements: Collection agencies must inform consumers that medical debt information cannot be reported unless it meets the aforementioned criteria.

4. Enforcement and Violations

  • Individuals may bring civil actions against violators of the act to recover damages and seek injunctive relief.
  • Hospitals that fail to comply with the financial assistance program requirements may face civil fines up to $10,000.

5. Medical Debt Relief Fund

  • A new fund will be established to collect civil fines, which will be used to support programs aimed at relieving medical debt in Michigan.

Impact

  • Patients: The bill is designed to protect patients from adverse credit reporting related to medical debt and ensure they have access to financial assistance based on their income.
  • Hospitals: Hospitals will need to implement new financial assistance programs and comply with reporting regulations, which may require administrative adjustments.
  • Consumer Reporting Agencies and Collection Agencies: These entities will have to adjust their practices regarding medical debt reporting and collection to comply with the new regulations.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced on June 26, 2025, and has undergone various legislative processes, including committee reviews and amendments, before being signed into law on October 22, 2025.

This summary provides an overview of Senate Bill 449, highlighting its objectives, key provisions, and the anticipated impact on patients, hospitals, and related entities.

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

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