For all the talk about removing medical debt from credit reports, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives last week that would add other types of debts to credit reports, as a means of making it easier for millions of Americans with little or no credit history to build their scores. Rep. Janelle Bynum [D-Ore.] and Rep. Young Kim [R-Calif.] have introduced the bipartisan Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2025, H.R. 5402, which would expand the types of payments that count toward consumer credit histories.
Why it matters: Roughly 26 million Americans are “credit invisible,” meaning they lack traditional credit histories tied to student loans, car payments, or mortgages. Without a credit score, consumers face significant barriers to securing loans, renting homes, or qualifying for better interest rates.
How it works: The legislation would amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to explicitly allow landlords, utility companies, and telecom providers to report on-time payments to consumer reporting agencies.
- Rent, internet, phone, electricity, and other utility payments could help build credit.
- Consumers would have the right to opt out of reporting these categories.
- Energy utility firms would be prohibited from reporting payments as late if a customer is meeting the terms of an approved repayment or debt forgiveness plan.
- A federal study would be commissioned to analyze the impact of expanded reporting and consider the potential role of additional data points, such as bank account cash flow or payroll deposits.
The bigger picture: Supporters say the bill updates credit reporting for the modern economy, where rent and utilities are often a consumer’s largest monthly expenses but don’t typically help build credit.
- Rep. Bynum: “Everybody has to start somewhere, and making rent and utility payments on time should count.”
- Rep. Kim: “The Credit Access and Inclusion Act brings credit reporting into the 21st century so hardworking Americans can grow their credit and get a leg up.”
What’s next: The bill was referred to committee, where it will face debate and potential amendments before advancing. If passed, it could open the credit economy to millions of consumers previously locked out, while also reshaping the type of data available to creditors and collectors.
