BILL NUMBER: S8571

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act temporarily suspending medical and student debt collection during
the COVID-19 covered period

 
PURPOSE:

To temporarily suspend the collection of medical and student debt owed
to New York State to the end of the COVID-19 covered period.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Establishes the "COVID-19 covered period" as the period from
March 7, 2020 until the date on which none of the provisions that closed
or otherwise restricted public or private businesses or places of public
accommodation, or required postponement or cancellation of all non-es-
sential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason in execu-
tive orders 202.3, 202.4, 202.5, 202.6, 202.7, 202.8, 202.10, 202.11,
              

202.13 or 202.14, as extended by executive orders 202.2.8 and 202.31 and
as further extended by any future executive order, issued in response to
the COVID-19 pandemic continue to apply in the county of the insurer or
debtors residence.

Section 2: Temporarily suspends the collection of medical and student
debt owed to the state of New York and referred to the Office of the
Attorney General for collection to the end of the COVID-19 covered peri-
od.

Section 3: Effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Due to the-COVID-19 pandemic as well as the legally mandated closures of
businesses and public buildings and stay at home order, many New Yorkers
are experiencing significant financial stress and have been unable to
maintain required payments for medical and student debt owed to New York
State. In light of these financial hardships it is imperative New York-
ers focus on keeping themselves and their families safe and healthy.
This legislation proposes to temporarily suspend the collection of
medical and student debt owed to New York State for the COVID-19 covered
period.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.