Hospitals; prohibiting hospitals from taking certain collection action against patients. Effective date.

SB 519 prohibits Oklahoma hospitals from using certain debt collection tactics against patients for services provided when the hospital was not following price transparency laws. Specifically, it bans hospitals from referring debts to third-party collectors, suing patients, or reporting debts to credit bureaus during those non-compliant periods. The bill directly affects patients who received care from hospitals not meeting transparency requirements, while allowing hospitals to continue normal billing practices. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, and does not require refunds for past payments.