LouisianaLouisiana caps interest on some medical debt at three percent
People with bills for medically necessary care face a three percent yearly interest cap, and the attorney general must provide a way to report violations.
What it does
Interest on medical debt for care a licensed provider finds necessary is capped at three percent per year. Any contract term setting a higher rate is void.
The attorney general may enforce the protections and seek civil penalties. The office must accept complaints from affected consumers and the public, while keeping complainants’ identifying information private.
Argument forThe three percent annual cap could slow interest growth for people who owe money for medically necessary care.
Argument againstMaking complaints public records could expose details about a consumer’s debt dispute, even though identifying information must be removed.
More detail
Interest on medical debt for medically necessary care cannot exceed three percent per year. Medical debt includes bills for healthcare, related products and medicines, and transportation to healthcare. A licensed provider must find the care necessary, and it must meet accepted standards of care. A contract term setting a higher rate is void. Medical debt excludes credit card debt and credit from federally insured financial institutions and their subsidiaries or affiliates. The law took effect upon the governor’s signature.
The attorney general may enforce the protections and seek civil penalties, and must provide a process for filing complaints. Medical debt collectors include debt buyers. The complaint process covers alleged violations by medical creditors and collectors. Consumers affected by a violation and members of the public may file complaints against medical creditors or collectors. Complaints are public records, but the complainant’s name, address, and other identifying information must be kept confidential and removed. The law took effect upon the governor’s signature.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 9Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 897.Became Law
- Jun 9Effective date 6/9/2026.
- Jun 1Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.To Governor
- Jun 1Signed by the Speaker of the House.
- Jun 1Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.Minor
- May 31Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.
- Vote recorded CONCUR (#1588). Result: pass.Upper
- May 29Scheduled for floor debate on 05/29/2026.
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1639). Result: pass.Lower
- May 29Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- May 29Received from the House with amendments.Minor
- May 28Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- May 27Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
- May 26Discharged from the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.
- May 26Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- May 19Read by title, amended, recommitted to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.
- May 18Reported with amendments (13-0). To be recommitted to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.Minor
- May 13Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Commerce.Minor
- May 12Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.
- May 11Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#691). Result: pass.Upper
- May 7Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.
- May 6Reported with amendments.Minor
- Mar 24Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs.Minor
- Mar 23Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Introduced
HealthcareConsumer Protection