Letter on Status on Maryland Mortgage Bills from Phillip Robinson, Civil Justice, Inc.
April 4, 2008
Friends,
Today Governor O’Malley signed emergency legislation to create meaningful change Maryland’s 200 year old foreclosure process, close loopholes in the Protection of Homeowners in Foreclosure Act to prevent against foreclosure rescue scams, and put a stop to mortgage fraud that affects everyone directly or indirectly. These measures are the first steps toward preserving homeownership for the near- and far-term in Maryland. In the last four days of the legislative session, there remains two other bills that need your immediate attention or unintended consequences may occur. Please take five minutes today to make to calls in support of the remaining bills which with further strengthen the rights of homeowners.
First, CALL Chairman Brian Frosh and let him know Maryland homeowners need the H.B. 778, the Richard Atta Poku Foreclosure Defense Act. This bill will clarify in statute the rights of homeowners to defend and appeal legitimate cases and have the appellate courts review the merits of the case. The bill passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 131-3 and is now pending in the Judicial Proceedings Committee in the Senate. CALL BRIAN FROSH AT (410) 841-3124 OR (301) 858-3124, AND LEAVE A SIMPLE MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF YOUR CLIENTS THAT THIS BILL IS NEEDED TO PREVENT WHAT HAPPENED TO MR. ATTA POKU FROM HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE AGAIN. ENCOURAGE HIM TO HAVE THE COMMITTEE VOTE ON H.B. 778 IMMEDIATELY AND SUPPORT THE GLADDEN TECHNICAL AMENDMENT SO THAT THE FULL SENATE CAN SUPPORT THE LEGISLATION IMMEDIATELY. If this bill is not passed I can say that homeowners denied their rights and protections at the circuit court level will not have any opportunity for a successful appeal.
Second, CALL Chairman Mac Middleton and let him know Maryland homeowners need H.B. 944. This bill will require certain borrowers to receive housing counseling by non-profit agencies when they are applying for certain exotic mortgages. Everyone loses when a mortgage goes into foreclosure—the homeowners, the community, the lender, and families. Housing counseling targeted to homeowners with loans most at risk of foreclosure is smart public policy and will make a positive difference for Maryland homeowners. CALL MAC MIDDLETON AT (410) 841-3616 or (301) 858-3616, AND LEAVE A SIMPLE MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF YOUR CLIENTS THAT H.B. 944 COMMON SENSE MEASURE THAT WILL HELP PREVENT THE CURRENT MORTGAGE MELTDOWN FROM BEING REPEATED IN THE FUTURE.
We are all busy and working hard, but time is against us. Do not expect anyone on this list to make the calls for you. Make the calls yourself. Unless these committee chairs hear from us by phone, neither of these bills will likely pass and more howlers will be at risk of losing their homes when a simple fix in the law could have prevented it. PLEASE CALL NOW.
Phillip Robinson Executive Director & Attorney Civil Justice, Inc. 520 W. Fayette Street, Suite 410 Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone: (410) 706-0174 Fax: (410) 706-3196 Email: probinson@civiljusticenetwork.org