§ 59.1-444.1 Definitions
As used in this chapter: “Collection entity” means any person that purchases debt or collects debt on behalf of another entity. “Consumer” means an individual who is also a resident of the Commonwealth. “Consumer report” has the same meaning as provided in § 603(d) of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681a(d)). “Consumer reporting agency” has the same meaning as in § 603(f) of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681a(f)). “Credit report” means a “consumer report,” provided, however, that for purposes of this chapter, a credit report is limited to information that a consumer reporting agency furnishes to a person that it has reason to believe intends to use the information as a factor in establishing the consumer’s eligibility for credit to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. “Health care services” means the furnishing of services for the purpose of preventing, alleviating, curing, or healing human physical illness or injury or a mental or behavioral condition or disorder. “Medical debt” means debt arising from health care services, including products, devices, durable medical equipment, and prescription drugs, and from the provision of transportation to receive health care services. “Medical debt” does not include debt charged to a credit card but does include an open-end or closed-end extension of credit made by a financial institution to a borrower that may be used by the borrower solely for the purpose of the purchase of health care services. “Proper identification” means proper identification as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1681h(a)(1).
History
This law was first created in 2008. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 480 and 496 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2014, chapter 570; in 2024, chapter 751.
2008, cc. 480, 496; 2014, c. 570; 2024, c. 751.