Existing law regulates the issuance, use, and processing of credit cards and credit card transactions. Existing law, the Areias Credit Card Full Disclosure Act of 1986, requires a credit card issuer, with each billing statement provided to a cardholder in this state, to provide certain information on the front of the first page of the billing statement. This bill would regulate offers for a medical credit card, which the bill would define as a credit card issued under an open-end or closed-end plan offered specifically for the payment of medical services, products, or devices. Specifically, the bill would require an entity that offers a medical credit card to provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure to an individual stating that the product is a credit card and not a payment plan. The bill would require the disclosure to include the annual percentage rate applicable to the medical credit card. The bill would require the entity to obtain the individual's express written consent, as evidenced by a signature, acknowledging that the individual has received the disclosure and understands that the medical credit card is a credit card and is not a payment plan. Existing law, the Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act, defines and regulates consumer credit reports and consumer credit reporting agencies. Existing law regulates the treatment of medical debt in this regard by, among other things, prohibiting a consumer credit reporting agency from making any consumer credit report containing medical debt information, prohibiting a person who uses a consumer credit report in connection with a credit transaction from using medical debt as a negative factor when making a credit decision, and prohibiting a person from furnishing information regarding a medical debt to a consumer credit reporting agency. Existing law makes a violation of certain provisions related to medical debt by a person holding a license or permit issued by the state to be deemed a violation of the law governing that license or permit. Existing law, the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, defines and regulates investigative consumer reports and investigative consumer reporting agencies. Existing law prohibits an investigative consumer reporting agency from making or furnishing any investigative consumer report containing specified items of information, including medical debt. Existing law defines "medical debt" for the purposes of the Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act and the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act as a debt owed by a consumer to a person whose primary business is providing medical services, products, or devices, or to the person's agent or assignee, for the provision of medical services, products, or devices, as specified. This bill would, instead, define "medical debt" for these purposes as a debt related to, in whole or in part, a transaction, account, or balance arising from a medical service, product, or device, except as provided. By changing the scope of what is considered medical debt, and because certain violations of the Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act are deemed a violation of a licensing statute and the violation of some licensing statutes is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would prohibit a consumer credit reporting agency from making a consumer credit report that contains information from a medical credit card for a purchase made at specified medical facilities, including a general acute care hospital, a special hospital, or a pharmacy. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Asm. Mark González
Sponsored bills
This measure would, among other things, designate March 2026 as Irish American Heritage Month in honor of 102 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Ireland and would commemorate the multitude of contributions that Irish Americans have made to this country and state.
This measure would recognize and commend the California Association of Future Farmers of America for its nearly 100 years of service to students, educators, and the agricultural industry and would honor members, advisors, alumni, and supporters of the association for their dedication to developing future leaders and sustaining California's agricultural legacy.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates February 26, 2026, as "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" to highlight the importance of encouraging young women to pursue careers in engineering. The measure serves as a commemorative resolution rather than creating new laws or funding requirements. It does not alter existing policies or directly affect government operations, but instead establishes a specific date for awareness and celebration.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM Day to recognize the contributions of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. The measure requires state officials to issue a proclamation announcing this specific date and the purpose of the observance. As a commemorative resolution, it does not alter laws, allocate funding, or create new programs, but rather establishes an official day for public acknowledgment.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 25, 2026, as Greek Independence Day. It directly affects the state by officially recognizing this specific date on the calendar. The measure requires no new funding or changes to existing laws, serving only as a commemorative resolution. Once enacted, the date will be recorded in the state statutes to acknowledge the historical event.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of February 22 to February 28, 2026, as Engineers Week to honor the contributions of engineering professionals. The measure requires no changes to laws or regulations and does not allocate funding or impose new obligations on any individuals or organizations. It serves solely as a commemorative resolution to acknowledge the engineering community during a specific timeframe.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the month of March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month in California. It directly affects state officials and the public by encouraging the recognition of sleep apnea during this specific time. The measure requires the state to issue a formal proclamation to highlight the importance of this health condition. No new laws or funding are created; the change is purely symbolic and commemorative.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 21, 2026, as the National Day of Play to encourage people to engage in recreational activities. It serves as a formal recognition rather than a law that imposes new rules or requirements on individuals or organizations. The measure does not allocate funding or mandate specific actions, but instead establishes a date for the state to acknowledge the importance of play.
This measure would proclaim March 9, 2026, as Special Olympics Day in California, and congratulate Team NorCal and Team SoCal for their accomplishments thus far and wish them success in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.