Minnesota Session Laws - 2015, Regular Session

CHAPTER 20--S.F.No. 1741

An act

relating to health; allowing a patient to enjoin collection actions taken by a nonprofit hospital if the hospital has failed to provide a financial assistance policy;

proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 604.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [604.175] COMPLIANCE WITH DEBT COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS. new text end

new text begin (a) Any patient may bring an action to enjoin extraordinary collection actions taken by a nonprofit hospital if the hospital has failed to provide a plain language summary of the financial assistance policy. A prevailing patient is entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs. new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section: new text end

new text begin (1) "extraordinary collection actions" means an action described in Code of Federal Regulations, title 26, section 1.501(r)-6; new text end

new text begin (2) "financial assistance policy" means a written policy that meets the requirements described in Code of Federal Regulations, title 26, section 1.501(r)-4; new text end

new text begin (3) "nonprofit hospital" means a hospital that claims federal tax status under United States Code, title 26, section 501(r); and new text end

new text begin (4) "plain language summary" has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 26, section 501(r)-1. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2016, and applies to a nonprofit hospital on and after the date in 2016 when its fiscal year begins. new text end

Presented to the governor May 6, 2015

Signed by the governor May 7, 2015, 9:24 a.m.