District of Columbia credit laws

Citation:

D.C. Law 26-172; D.C. Code 28-3814

Effective:

Aug 20, 2026

This law bars health care providers and debt collectors from reporting the amount or existence of a patient's medical debt to a consumer reporting agency, and adds limits on medical debt collection. The law became effective August 20, 2026, but its requirements apply only after its cost is funded in an approved budget, and the official D.C. Code notes say the credit reporting change has not been implemented yet.

Source checked Sep 29, 2026

Citation:

D.C. Code 28-3861 et seq. (freeze at 28-3862)

The District of Columbia law lets you place a security freeze on your credit file, which stops a credit bureau from releasing your report to most new creditors until you lift it. Since September 21, 2018, federal law also makes placing and lifting a freeze free at each nationwide credit bureau.

Source checked Sep 29, 2026

Citation:

D.C. Code 28-4601 et seq.

The District of Columbia regulates businesses that sell consumer credit services, such as offers to improve a credit record. The federal Credit Repair Organizations Act also applies: these companies may not charge before the promised services are fully performed, and you can cancel a contract within 3 business days.

Source checked Sep 29, 2026