California Enacts Groundbreaking Law to Shield Medical Debt from Credit Reports Starting 2025

Sacramento, Calif. — A newly passed California state law, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, will prevent the reporting of medical debt to credit agencies, thus safeguarding Californians’ credit scores from the detrimental impact of such financial burdens. This legislative shift comes as a relief to millions within the state who grapple with the overwhelming challenge of medical expenses. Medical debts, often unforeseen and unavoidable, can severely impair an individual’s financial standing. Currently, such debts can linger on credit reports, influencing decisions on loans, housing, and employment due to lower credit scores. This … Read more

Cheyenne Man Sentenced for Failing to Register as Sex Offender, Receives Credit for Time Served

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A Wyoming district court on Thursday processed the case of a 31-year-old man, previously convicted in Maryland for sexual solicitation of a minor, who faced charges for not complying with the Wyoming Sex Offender Registration Act. Daryl Stottlemyer, who failed to notify authorities of his whereabouts after leaving his last known address, was sentenced after pleading guilty to failing to register as a sex offender. In a hearing at the Laramie County District Court, Judge Peter H. Froelicher accepted Stottlemyer’s plea change and moved directly to sentencing, bypassing the usual process of … Read more

Federal Judge Strikes Down CFPB’s $8 Credit Card Late Fee Rule, Upholding Higher Charges as Per CARD Act

FORT WORTH, Texas — A federal judge in Texas has handed a significant setback to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by ruling against its recent regulation that would drastically lower credit card late fees to $8, describing the move as an overreach of the bureau’s authority. The decision emerged from U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman, who is predicting a likely failure for the CFPB’s initiative based on his assessment. Judge Pittman, appointed under the Trump administration, articulated that the rule contradicted the provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of … Read more

California Enacts Groundbreaking Legislation to Exclude Medical Debt from Credit Scores

Sacramento, Calif. — California has taken a bold step to alleviate the burden of medical debt on its residents by enacting a new piece of legislation that prohibits the inclusion of medical debt on individuals’ credit reports. This move seeks to address and mitigate the negative financial repercussions that arise from unexpected medical expenses, a challenge that several Americans grapple with each year. Under this revolutionary law, medical debt, regardless of the amount, will not appear on the credit reports generated within the state. The objective is to prevent such debt from undermining an individual’s … Read more