COVID-19 Mortgage Relief Act

To amend the CARES Act to provide forbearance and foreclosure moratoriums for all mortgage loans, and for other purposes. 1. Mortgage relief (a) Short title This section may be cited as the COVID–19 Mortgage Relief Act (b) Mortgage relief (1) Forbearance and foreclosure moratorium for covered mortgage loans Section 4022 of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9056 (A) by striking Federally backed mortgage loan covered mortgage loan (B) in subsection (a)— (i) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: (2) Covered mortgage loan The term covered mortgage loan ; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: (3) Covered period With respect to a loan, the term covered period . (2) Automatic forbearance for delinquent borrowers Section 4022(c) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9056(c) (9) Automatic forbearance for delinquent borrowers (A) In general Notwithstanding any other law governing forbearance relief— (i) any borrower whose covered mortgage loan became 60 days delinquent between March 13, 2020, and the date of enactment of this paragraph, and who has not already received a forbearance under subsection (b), shall automatically be granted a 60-day forbearance that begins on the date of enactment of this paragraph, provided that a borrower shall not be considered delinquent for purposes of this paragraph while making timely payments or otherwise performing under a trial modification or other loss mitigation agreement; and (ii) any borrower whose covered mortgage loan becomes 60 days delinquent between the date of enactment of this paragraph and the end of the covered period, and who has not already received a forbearance under subsection (b), shall automatically be granted a 60-day forbearance that begins on the 60th day of delinquency, provided that a borrower shall not be considered delinquent for purposes of this paragraph while making timely payments or otherwise performing under a trial modification or other loss mitigation agreement. (B) Initial extension An automatic forbearance provided under subparagraph (A) shall be extended for up to an additional 120 days upon the borrower’s request, oral or written, submitted to the borrower’s servicer affirming that the borrower is experiencing a financial hardship that prevents the borrower from making timely payments on the covered mortgage loan due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID–19 emergency. (C) Subsequent extension A forbearance extended under subparagraph (B) shall be extended for up to an additional 180 days, up to a maximum of 360 days (including the period of automatic forbearance), upon the borrower’s request, oral or written, submitted to the borrower’s servicer affirming that the borrower is experiencing a financial hardship that prevents the borrower from making timely payments on the covered mortgage loan due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID–19 emergency. (D) Right to elect to continue making payments With respect to a forbearance provided under this paragraph, the borrower of such loan may elect to continue making regular payments on the loan. A borrower who makes such election shall be offered a loss mitigation option pursuant to subsection (d) within 30 days of resuming regular payments to address any payment deficiency during the forbearance. (E) Right to shorten forbearance At a borrower’s request, any period of forbearance provided under this paragraph may be shortened. A borrower who makes such a request shall be offered a loss mitigation option pursuant to subsection (d) within 30 days of resuming regular payments to address any payment deficiency during the forbearance. (10) Automatic forbearance for certain reverse mortgage loans (A) In general When any covered mortgage loan which is also a federally insured reverse mortgage loan, during the covered period, is due and payable due to the death of the last borrower or end of a deferral period or eligible to be called due and payable due to a property charge default, or if the borrower defaults on a property charge repayment plan, or if the borrower defaults for failure to complete property repairs, or if an obligation of the borrower under the Security Instrument is not performed, the mortgagee automatically shall be granted a six-month extension of— (i) the mortgagee’s deadline to request due and payable status from the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (ii) the mortgage’s deadline to send notification to the mortgagor or his or her heirs that the loan is due and payable; (iii) the deadline to initiate foreclosure; (iv) any reasonable diligence period related to foreclosure or the Mortgagee Optional Election; (v) if applicable, the deadline to obtain the due and payable appraisal; and (vi) any claim submission deadline, including the 6-month acquired property marketing period. (B) Forbearance period The mortgagee shall not request due and payable status from the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development nor initiate foreclosure during this six-month period described under subparagraph (A), which shall be considered a forbearance period. (C) Extension A forbearance provided under subparagraph (B) and related deadline extension authorized under subparagraph (A) shall be extended for an additional 180 days upon— (i) the borrower’s request, oral or written, submitted to the borrower’s servicer affirming that the borrower is experiencing a financial hardship that prevents the borrower from making payments on property charges, completing property repairs, or performing an obligation of the borrower under the Security Instrument due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID–19 emergency; (ii) a non-borrowing spouse’s request, oral or written, submitted to the servicer affirming that the non-borrowing spouse has been unable to satisfy all criteria for the Mortgagee Optional Election program due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 emergency, or to perform all actions necessary to become an eligible non-borrowing spouse following the death of all borrowers; or (iii) a successor-in-interest of the borrower’s request, oral or written, submitted to the servicer affirming the heir’s difficulty satisfying the reverse mortgage loan due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 emergency. (D) Curtailment of debenture interest Where any covered mortgage loan which is also a federally insured reverse mortgage loan is in default during the covered period and subject to a prior event which provides for curtailment of debenture interest in connection with a claim for insurance benefits, the curtailment of debenture interest shall be suspended during any forbearance period provided herein. . (3) Additional Foreclosure and repossession protections Section 4022(c) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9056(c) (A) in paragraph (2), by striking may not initiate any judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process, move for a foreclosure judgment or order of sale, or execute a foreclosure-related eviction or foreclosure sale for not less than the 60-day period beginning on March 18, 2020 may not initiate or proceed with any judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process, schedule a foreclosure sale, move for a foreclosure judgment or order of sale, execute a foreclosure related eviction or foreclosure sale for six months after the date of enactment of the COVID–19 HERO Act (B) by adding at the end the following: (3) Repossession moratorium In the case of personal property, including any recreational or motor vehicle, used as a dwelling, no person may use any judicial or non-judicial procedure to repossess or otherwise take possession of such property for six months after date of enactment of this paragraph. . (4) Mortgage forbearance reforms Section 4022 of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9056 (A) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and inserting the following: (1) In general During the covered period, a borrower with a covered mortgage loan who has not obtained automatic forbearance pursuant to this section and who is experiencing a financial hardship that prevents the borrower from making timely payments on the covered mortgage loan due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID–19 emergency may request forbearance on the loan, regardless of delinquency status, by— (A) submitting a request, orally or in writing, to the servicer of the loan; and (B) affirming that the borrower is experiencing a financial hardship that prevents the borrower from making timely payments on the covered mortgage loan due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID–19 emergency. (2) Duration of forbearance (A) In general Upon a request by a borrower to a servicer for forbearance under paragraph (1), such forbearance shall be granted by the servicer for the period requested by the borrower, up to an initial length of 180 days, the length of which shall be extended by the servicer, at the request of the borrower for the period or periods requested, for a total forbearance period of up to 12 months. (B) Minimum forbearance amounts For purposes of granting a forbearance under this paragraph, a servicer may grant an initial forbearance with a term of not less than 90 days, provided that it is automatically extended for an additional 90 days unless the servicer confirms the borrower does not want to renew the forbearance or that the borrower is no longer experiencing a financial hardship that prevents the borrower from making timely mortgage payments due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID–19 emergency. (C) Right to shorten forbearance At a borrower’s request, any period of forbearance described under this paragraph may be shortened. A borrower who makes such a request shall be offered a loss mitigation option pursuant to subsection (d) within 30 days of resuming regular payments to address any payment deficiency during the forbearance. (3) Accrual of interest or fees A servicer shall not charge a borrower any fees, penalties, or interest (beyond the amounts scheduled or calculated as if the borrower made all contractual payments on time and in full under the terms of the mortgage contract) in connection with a forbearance, provided that a servicer may offer the borrower a modification option at the end of a forbearance period granted hereunder that includes the capitalization of past due principal and interest and escrow payments as long as the borrower’s principal and interest payment under such modification remains at or below the contractual principal and interest payments owed under the terms of the mortgage contract before such forbearance period except as the result of a change in the index of an adjustable rate mortgage. (4) Communication with servicers Any communication between a borrower and a servicer described under this section may be made in writing or orally, at the borrower’s choice. (5) Communication with borrowers with a disability Upon request from a borrower, servicers shall communicate with borrowers who have a disability in the borrower's preferred method of communication. For purposes of this paragraph, the term disability ; and (B) in subsection (c), by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) No documentation required A servicer of a covered mortgage loan shall not require any documentation with respect to a forbearance under this section other than the borrower’s affirmation (oral or written) to a financial hardship that prevents the borrower from making timely payments on the covered mortgage loan due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID–19 emergency. An oral request for forbearance and oral affirmation of hardship by the borrower shall be sufficient for the borrower to obtain or extend a forbearance. . (5) Other servicer requirements during forbearance Section 4022(c) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9056(c) (4) Forbearance terms notice Within 30 days of a servicer of a covered mortgage loan providing forbearance to a borrower under subsection (b) or paragraph (9) or (10), or 10 days if the forbearance is for a term of less than 60 days, but only where the forbearance was provided in response to a borrower’s request for forbearance or when an automatic forbearance was initially provided under paragraph (9) or (10), and not when an existing forbearance is automatically extended, the servicer shall provide the borrower with a notice in accordance with the terms in paragraph (5). (5) Contents of notice The written notice required under paragraph (4) shall state in plain language— (A) the specific terms of the forbearance; (B) the beginning and ending dates of the forbearance; (C) that the borrower is eligible for up to 12 months of forbearance; (D) that the borrower may request an extension of the forbearance unless the borrower will have reached the maximum period at the end of the forbearance; (E) that the borrower may request that the initial or extended period be shortened at any time; (F) that the borrower should contact the servicer before the end of the forbearance period; (G) a description of the loss mitigation options that may be available to the borrower at the end of the forbearance period based on the borrower’s specific loan; (H) information on how to find a housing counseling agency approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (I) in the case of a forbearance provided pursuant to paragraph (9) or (10), that the forbearance was automatically provided and how to contact the servicer to make arrangements for further assistance, including any renewal; and (J) where applicable, that the forbearance is subject to an automatic extension including the terms of any such automatic extensions and when any further extension would require a borrower request. (6) Treatment of escrow accounts During any forbearance provided under this section, a servicer shall pay or advance funds to make disbursements in a timely manner from any escrow account established on the covered mortgage loan. (7) Notification for borrowers During the period that begins 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph and ends at the end of the covered period, each servicer of a covered mortgage loan shall be required to— (A) make available in a clear and conspicuous manner on their web page accurate information, in English and Spanish, for borrowers regarding the availability of forbearance as provided under subsection (b); and (B) notify every borrower whose payments on a covered mortgage loan are delinquent in any oral communication with or to the borrower that the borrower may be eligible to request forbearance as provided under subsection (b), except that such notice shall not be required if the borrower already has requested forbearance under subsection (b). (8) Certain treatment under RESPA As long as a borrower’s payment on a covered mortgage loan was not more than 30 days delinquent on March 13, 2020, a servicer may not deem the borrower as delinquent while a forbearance granted under subsection (b) is in effect for purposes of the application of sections 6 and 10 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and any applicable regulations. . (6) Post-forbearance loss mitigation (A) Amendment to CARES Act Section 4022 of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9056 (d) Post-Forbearance loss mitigation (1) Notice of availability of additional forbearance With respect to any covered mortgage loan as to which forbearance under this section has been granted and not otherwise extended, including by automatic extension, a servicer shall, no later than 30 days before the end of the forbearance period, in writing, notify the borrower that additional forbearance may be available and how to request such forbearance, except that no such notice is required where the borrower already has requested an extension of the forbearance period, is subject to automatic extension pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(B), or no additional forbearance is available. (2) Loss mitigation offer before expiration of forbearance No later than 30 days before the end of any forbearance period that has not been extended or 30 days after a request by a consumer to terminate the forbearance, which time shall be before the servicer initiates or engages in any foreclosure activity listed in subsection (c)(2), including incurring or charging to a borrower any fees or corporate advances related to a foreclosure, the servicer shall, in writing— (A) offer the borrower a loss mitigation option, without the charging of any fees or penalties other than interest, such that the borrower’s principal and interest payment remains the same as it was prior to the forbearance, subject to any adjustment of the index pursuant to the terms of an adjustable rate mortgage, and that either— (i) defers the payment of total arrearages, including any escrow advances, to the end of the existing term of the loan, without the charging or collection of any additional interest on the deferred amounts; or (ii) extends the term of the mortgage loan, and capitalizes, defers, or forgives all escrow advances and other arrearages, provided, however, that the servicer may offer the borrower a loss mitigation option that reduces the principal and interest payment on the loan and capitalizes, defers, or forgives all escrow advances or arrearages if the servicer has information indicating that the borrower cannot resume the pre-forbearance mortgage payments; and (B) concurrent with the loss mitigation offer in subparagraph (A), notify the borrower that the borrower has the right to be evaluated for other loss mitigation options if the borrower is not able to make the payment under the option offered in subparagraph (A). (3) Evaluation for loss mitigation prior to foreclosure initiation Before a servicer may initiate or engage in any foreclosure activity listed in subsection (c)(2), including incurring or charging to a borrower any fees or corporate advances related to a foreclosure on the basis that the borrower has failed to perform under the loss mitigation offer in paragraph (2)(A) within the first 90 days after the option is offered, including a failure to accept the loss mitigation offer in paragraph (2)(A), the servicer shall— (A) unless the borrower has already submitted a complete application that the servicer is reviewing— (i) notify the borrower in writing of the documents and information, if any, needed by the servicer to enable the servicer to consider the borrower for all available loss mitigation options; and (ii) exercise reasonable diligence to obtain the documents and information needed to complete the borrower’s loss mitigation application; and (B) upon receipt of a complete application or if, despite the servicer’s exercise of reasonable diligence, the loss mitigation application remains incomplete sixty days after the notice in paragraph (2)(A) is sent, conduct an evaluation of the complete or incomplete loss mitigation application without reference to whether the borrower has previously submitted a complete loss mitigation application and offer the borrower all available loss mitigation options for which the borrower qualifies under applicable investor guidelines, including guidelines regarding required documentation. (4) Effect on future requests for loss mitigation review An application, offer, or evaluation for loss mitigation under this section shall not be the basis for the denial of a borrower’s application as duplicative or for a reduction in the borrower’s appeal rights under Regulation X (12 C.F.R. 1024) in regard to any loss mitigation application submitted after the servicer has complied with the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3). (5) Safe harbor Any loss mitigation option authorized by the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Corporation, or the Federal Housing Administration that either— (A) defers the payment of total arrearages, including any escrow advances, to the end of the existing term of the loan, without the charging or collection of any additional interest on the deferred amounts; or (B) extends the term of the mortgage loan, and capitalizes, defers, or forgives all escrow advances and other arrearages, without the charging of any fees or penalties beyond interest on any amount capitalized into the loan principal, shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1)(B). (6) Home retention options for certain reverse mortgage loans (A) In general For a covered mortgage loan which is also a federally insured reverse mortgage loan, a servicer’s conduct shall be deemed to comply with this section provided that if the loan is eligible to be called due and payable due to a property charge default, the mortgagee shall, as a precondition to sending a due and payable request to the Secretary or initiating or continuing a foreclosure process— (i) make a good faith effort to communicate with the borrower regarding available home retention options to cure the property charge default, including encouraging the borrower to apply for home retention options; and (ii) consider the borrower for all available home retention options as allowed by the Secretary. (B) Permissible repayment plans The Secretary shall amend its allowable home retention options to permit a repayment plan of up to 120 months in length, and to permit a repayment plan without regard to prior defaults on repayment plans. (C) Limitation on interest curtailment The Secretary may not curtail interest paid to mortgagees who engage in loss mitigation or home retention actions through interest curtailment during such loss mitigation or home retention review or during the period when a loss mitigation or home retention plan is in effect and ending 90 days after any such plan terminates. . (B) Amendment to Housing Act of 1949 Section 505 of the Housing Act of 1949 ( 42 U.S.C. 1475 (i) by striking the section heading and inserting Loss Mitigation and Foreclosure Procedures (ii) in subsection (a), by striking the section designation and all that follows through During any 505. (a) Moratorium—(1) In determining a borrower’s eligibility for relief, the Secretary shall make all eligibility decisions based on the borrower’s household’s income, expenses, and circumstances. (2) During any ; (iii) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (iv) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection: (b) Loan Modification (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, for any loan made under section 502 or 504, the Secretary may modify the interest rate and extend the term of such loan for up to 30 years from the date of such modification. (2) At the end of any moratorium period granted under this section or under the COVID–19 HERO Act, the Secretary shall determine whether the borrower can reasonably resume making principal and interest payments after the Secretary modifies the borrower’s loan obligations in accordance with paragraph (1). . (7) Multifamily Mortgage Forbearance Section 4023 of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9057 (A) by striking Federally backed multifamily mortgage loan multifamily mortgage loan (B) in subsection (b), by striking during due, directly or indirectly, to (C) in subsection (c)(1)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by adding and (ii) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and inserting the following: (B) provide the forbearance for up to the end of the period described under section 4024(b). ; (D) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); (E) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: (f) Treatment after forbearance With respect to a multifamily mortgage loan provided a forbearance under this section, the servicer of such loan— (1) shall provide the borrower with a 12-month period beginning at the end of such forbearance to become current on the payments under such loan; (2) may not charge any late fees, penalties, or other charges with respect to payments on the loan that were due during the forbearance period, if such payments are made before the end of the 12-month period; and (3) may not report any adverse information to a credit rating agency (as defined under section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act with respect to any payments on the loan that were due during the forbearance period, if such payments are made before the end of the 12-month period.) ; and (F) in subsection (g), as so redesignated— (i) in paragraph (2)— (I) by striking that— (A) is secured by that is secured by (II) by striking ; and (III) by striking subparagraph (B); and (ii) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows: (5) Covered period With respect to a loan, the term covered period . (8) Renter protections during forbearance period A borrower that receives a forbearance pursuant to section 4022 or 4023 of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9056 (A) evict or initiate the eviction of a tenant solely for nonpayment of rent or other fees or charges; or (B) charge any late fees, penalties, or other charges to a tenant for late payment of rent. (9) Extension of GSE Patch (A) Non-applicability of existing sunset Section 1026.43(e)(4)(iii)(B) of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, shall have no force or effect. (B) Extended sunset The special rules in section 1026.43(e)(4) of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, shall apply to covered transactions consummated prior to June 1, 2022, or such later date as the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection may determine, by rule. (10) Servicer safe harbor from investor liability (A) Safe harbor (i) In general A servicer of covered mortgage loans or multifamily mortgage loans shall be deemed not to have violated any duty or contractual obligation owed to investors or other parties regarding such mortgage loans on account of offering or implementing in good faith forbearance during the covered period or offering or implementing in good faith post-forbearance loss mitigation (including after the expiration of the covered period) in accordance with the terms of sections 4022 and 4023 of the CARES Act to borrowers, respectively, on covered or multifamily mortgage loans that it services and shall not be liable to any party who is owed such a duty or obligation or subject to any injunction, stay, or other equitable relief to such party on account of such offer or implementation of forbearance or post-forbearance loss mitigation. (ii) Other persons Any person, including a trustee of a securitization vehicle or other party involved in a securitization or other investment vehicle, who in good faith cooperates with a servicer of covered or multifamily mortgage loans held by that securitization or investment vehicle to comply with the terms of section 4022 and 4023 of the CARES Act, respectively, to borrowers on covered or multifamily mortgage loans owned by the securitization or other investment vehicle shall not be liable to any party who is owed such a duty or obligation or subject to any injunction, stay, or other equitable relief to such party on account of its cooperation with an offer or implementation of forbearance during the covered period or post-forbearance loss mitigation, including after the expiration of the covered period. (B) Standard industry practice During the covered period, notwithstanding any contractual restrictions, it is deemed to be standard industry practice for a servicer to offer forbearance or loss mitigation options in accordance with the terms of sections 4022 and 4023 of the CARES Act to borrowers, respectively, on all covered or multifamily mortgage loans it services. (C) Rule of construction Nothing in this paragraph may be construed as affecting the liability of a servicer or other person for actual fraud in the servicing of a mortgage loan or for the violation of a State or Federal law. (D) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Covered mortgage loan The term covered mortgage loan (ii) Covered period The term covered period (iii) Multifamily mortgage loan The term multifamily mortgage loan (iv) Servicer The term servicer (I) has the meaning given the term under section 6(i) of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 ( 12 U.S.C. 2605(i) (II) means a master servicer and a subservicer, as such terms are defined, respectively, under section 1024.31 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations. (v) Securitization vehicle The term securitization vehicle 15 U.S.C. 1639a(f) (11) Amendments to National Housing Act Section 306(g)(1) of the National Housing Act ( 12 U.S.C. 1721(a) (A) in the fifth sentence, by inserting after issued , subject to any pledge or grant of security interest of the Federal Reserve under section 4003(a) of the CARES Act ( Public Law 116–136 15 U.S.C. 9042(a) (B) in the sixth sentence— (i) by striking or (C) (C) (ii) by inserting before the period the following: , or (D) its approval and honoring of any pledge or grant of security interest of the Federal Reserve under section 4003(a) of the CARES Act and to any such mortgage or mortgages or any interest therein and proceeds thereon as (12) Bankruptcy protections (A) Bankruptcy Protections for Federal Coronavirus Relief Payments Section 541(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended— (i) in paragraph (9), in the matter following subparagraph (B), by striking or (ii) in paragraph (10)(C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (iii) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following: (11) payments made under Federal law relating to the national emergency declared by the President under the National Emergencies Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1601 . (B) Protection Against Discriminatory Treatment of Homeowners in Bankruptcy Section 525 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (d) A person may not be denied any forbearance, assistance, or loan modification relief made available to borrowers by a mortgage creditor or servicer because the person is or has been a debtor, or has received a discharge, in a case under this title. . (C) Increasing the Homestead Exemption Section 522 of title 11, United States Code, is amended— (i) in subsection (d)(1), by striking $15,000 $100,000 (ii) by adding at the end the following: (r) Notwithstanding any other provision of applicable nonbankruptcy law, a debtor in any State may exempt from property of the estate the property described in subsection (d)(1) not to exceed the value in subsection (d)(1) if the exemption for such property permitted by applicable nonbankruptcy law is lower than that amount. . (D) Effect of Missed Mortgage Payments on Discharge Section 1328 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) A debtor shall not be denied a discharge under this section because, as of the date of discharge, the debtor did not make 6 or fewer payments directly to the holder of a debt secured by real property. (j) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), upon the debtor’s request, the court shall grant a discharge of all debts provided for in the plan that are dischargeable under subsection (a) if the debtor— (1) has made payments under a confirmed plan for at least 1 year; and (2) who is experiencing or has experienced a material financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic. . (E) Expanded eligibility for chapter 13 Section 109(e) of title 11, United States Code, is amended— (i) by striking $250,000 $850,000 (ii) by striking $750,000 $2,600,000 (F) Extended Cure Period for Homeowners Harmed by COVID–19 Pandemic (i) In general Chapter 13 1331. Special provisions related to COVID–19 pandemic (a) Notwithstanding subsections (b)(2) and (d) of section 1322, if the debtor is experiencing or has experienced a material financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic, a plan may provide for the curing of any default within a reasonable time, not to exceed 7 years after the time that the first payment under the original confirmed plan was due, and maintenance of payments while the case is pending on any unsecured claim or secured claim on which the last payment is due after the expiration of such time. Any such plan provision shall not affect the applicable commitment period under section 1325(b). (b) For purposes of sections 1328(a) and 1328(b), any cure or maintenance payments under subsection (a) that are made after the end of the period during which the plan provides for payments (other than payments under subsection (a)) shall not be treated as payments under the plan. (c) Notwithstanding section 1329(c), a plan modified under section 1329 at the debtor’s request may provide for cure or maintenance payments under subsection (a) over a period that is not longer than 7 years after the time that the first payment under the original confirmed plan was due. (d) Notwithstanding section 362(c)(2), during the period after the debtor receives a discharge and the period during which the plan provides for the cure of any default and maintenance of payments under the plan, section 362(a) shall apply to the holder of a claim for which a default is cured and payments are maintained under subsection (a) and to any property securing such claim. (e) Notwithstanding section 1301(a)(2), the stay of section 1301(a) terminates upon the granting of a discharge under section 1328 with respect to all creditors other than the holder of a claim for which a default is cured and payments are maintained under subsection (a). . (ii) Table of contents The table of sections of chapter 13, title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: Sec. 1331. Special provisions related to COVID–19 pandemic. . (iii) Application The amendments made by this paragraph shall apply only to any case under title 11, United States Code, commenced before 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act and pending on or commenced after such date of enactment, in which a plan under chapter 13 (13) Liquidity for mortgage servicers and residential rental property owners (A) In general Section 4003 of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9042 (i) Liquidity for mortgage servicers (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall ensure that servicers of covered mortgage loans (as defined under section 4022) and multifamily mortgage loans (as defined under section 4023) are provided the opportunity to participate in the loans, loan guarantees, or other investments made by the Secretary under this section. The Secretary shall ensure that servicers are provided with access to such opportunities under equitable terms and conditions regardless of their size. (2) Mortgage servicer eligibility In order to receive assistance under subsection (b)(4), a mortgage servicer shall— (A) demonstrate that the mortgage servicer has established policies and procedures to use such funds only to replace funds used for borrower assistance, including to advance funds as a result of forbearance or other loss mitigation provided to borrowers; (B) demonstrate that the mortgage servicer has established policies and procedures to provide forbearance, post-forbearance loss mitigation, and other assistance to borrowers in compliance with the terms of section 4022 or 4023, as applicable; (C) demonstrate that the mortgage servicer has established policies and procedures to ensure that forbearance and post-forbearance assistance is available to all borrowers in a non-discriminatory fashion and in compliance with the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and other applicable fair housing and fair lending laws; and (D) comply with the limitations on compensation set forth in section 4004. (3) Mortgage servicer requirements A mortgage servicer receiving assistance under subsection (b)(4) may not, while the servicer is under any obligation to repay funds provided or guaranteed under this section— (A) pay dividends with respect to the common stock of the mortgage servicer or purchase an equity security of the mortgage servicer or any parent company of the mortgage servicer if the security is listed on a national securities exchange, except to the extent required under a contractual obligation that is in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection; or (B) prepay any debt obligation. . (B) Credit facility for residential rental property owners (i) In general The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall— (I) establish a facility, using amounts made available under section 4003(b)(4) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9042(b)(4) (II) defer such owners’ required payments on such loans until after six months after the date of enactment of this Act. (ii) Requirements A borrower that receives a loan under this subsection may not, for the duration of the loan— (I) evict or initiate the eviction of a tenant solely for nonpayment of rent or other fees or charges; (II) charge any late fees, penalties, or other charges to a tenant for late payment of rent; and (III) with respect to a person or entity described under clause (iv), discriminate on the basis of source of income. (iii) Report on residential rental property owners The Board of Governors shall issue a report to the Congress containing the following, with respect to each property owner receiving a loan under this subsection: (I) The number of borrowers that received assistance under this subsection. (II) The average total loan amount that each borrower received. (III) The total number of rental units that each borrower owned. (IV) The average rent charged by each borrower. (iv) Report on large residential rental property owners The Board of Governors shall issue a report to Congress that identifies any person or entity that in aggregate owns or holds a controlling interest in any entity that, in aggregate, owns— (I) more than 100 rental units that are located within a single Metropolitan Statistical Area; (II) more than 1,000 rental units nationwide; or (III) rental units in three or more States. (C) Mortgage performance data Section 4003(c) of the CARES Act ( Public Law 116–136 (4) Mortgage performance data (A) Monthly report (i) In general A servicer of a residential mortgage loan receiving a loan, loan guarantee, or any other investment under this section shall, beginning in the first month in which the loan, loan guarantee, or investment was received, collect and provide loan-level data to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection on a monthly basis with respect all residential mortgage loans serviced by the servicer. (ii) Contents Each monthly report required under this subparagraph shall contain identifying information and loan performance data for the most recent month as well as cumulative data since the servicer began reporting under this paragraph. (iii) Time period for reports Reports under this paragraph shall be provided by a servicer every month in which a loan, loan guarantee, or any other investment under this section has been received and for 2 years following such receipt. (B) Identifying information Each monthly report required under subparagraph (A) shall include the following loan-level identifying information: (i) Demographic data, for each borrower, including race, ethnicity, sex, and age. (ii) The location of the property, including by State, Metropolitan Statistical Area, postal code, census tract, and Metropolitan District, if applicable. (iii) Loan origination information, including original unpaid principal balance, original interest rate, first payment date, original loan term, and lien status (first or subordinate). (iv) Loan type and type of loan purchaser, as described under section 304 of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 ( 12 U.S.C. 2803 (C) Loan performance data Each monthly report required under subparagraph (A) shall include the following loan-level loan performance data: (i) Current loan information, including current actual unpaid principal balance, current interest rate, current loan delinquency status (based on the number of days the borrower is delinquent in payments based on the due date of the last paid loan payment), loan performance status (including current, forbearance, repayment plan, referred to foreclosure, trial modification, permanent modification, or foreclosed), and the date of the event leading to such status. (ii) Loss mitigation information, including— (I) whether the loan is currently being evaluated for loss mitigation, and if so the date upon which the current loss mitigation process was initiated and the date of complete application, if any (II) the disposition of any previous loss mitigation evaluation reported pursuant to subclause (I) and the date of disposition, including— (aa) denied; (bb) temporary or short-term agreement, such as a repayment agreement or forbearance, and the length of such agreement (in months); (cc) trial loan modification; (dd) permanent loan modification; or (ee) other type of loss mitigation; and (III) for each permanent modification— (aa) whether the permanent modification included one or more of— (AA) additions of delinquent payments and fees to loan balances; (BB) interest rate reductions and freezes; (CC) term extensions; (DD) reductions of principal; or (EE) deferrals of principal; and (bb) whether the total monthly principal and interest payment, as a result of the permanent modification— (AA) increased; (BB) remained the same; (CC) decreased less than 10 percent; (DD) decreased between 10 and 20 percent; or (EE) decreased 20 percent or more. (D) Forbearance data Each monthly report required under subparagraph (A) shall include, with respect to each loan for which a forbearance has been reported under subparagraph (C)(i), forbearance-specific data, including— (i) the total months of total forbearance granted to date; and (ii) the number of renewals of forbearance to date. (E) Public availability of aggregate data (i) In general Using data submitted by servicers under this paragraph, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shall make available aggregate data by servicer for each State, Metropolitan Statistical Area, and Metropolitan Division, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget. Such aggregate data shall be provided monthly by the Director to Congress and posted on the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection’s website. (ii) Exception for certain personally identifiable data If aggregate data described under clause (i) is nonetheless reasonably personally identifiable, the Director may report the aggregate data by servicer on the next larger geographic unit (such that, for example, data would not be reported by Municipal Division but only by Metropolitan Statistical Area and State). (F) Implementation The Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shall, within 60 days of the date of enactment of this paragraph, and in consultation with the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Comptroller of the Currency, prescribe the format and method of submission of the data required under this paragraph. The Director of the Bureau may prescribe rules for the collection of the data in order to ensure accuracy, transparency, and complete data collection, including the collection and reporting of additional data elements, but may not require reporting of fewer data elements than prescribed by this paragraph nor less frequent reporting than required by this paragraph. (G) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) COVID–19 emergency The term COVID–19 emergency 50 U.S.C. 1601 (ii) Residential mortgage loan The term residential mortgage loan 15 U.S.C. 1602(dd) (iii) Servicer The term servicer 12 U.S.C. 2605(i) .

Summary: COVID-19 Mortgage Relief Act This bill extends protections for renters and mortgage borrowers provided in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency, revises bankruptcy provisions, and expands COVID-19 aid programs to include mortgage servicers. Mortgage forbearance may be extended to borrowers for up to 12 months. Currently, borrowers may receive 180 days of forbearance, with an extension of up to an additional 180 days. The bill also expands the forbearance provisions to apply to nonfederally backed mortgages. The bill expands the current moratorium on evictions of renters from property receiving a forbearance to generally protect all such renters, not only renters in federally assisted housing or property that has a federally backed mortgage. The current moratorium on mortgage foreclosures is extended from 60 days beginning on March 18, 2020, to 6 months after enactment of this bill. The bill also expands this moratorium to include nonfederally backed mortgages. Additionally, the bill generally revises bankruptcy provisions. COVID-19 aid is excluded from property subject to bankruptcy proceedings and the homestead exemption available to individual debtors is increased, among other protections. Existing COVID-19 economic aid programs are expanded to include mortgage servicers. The Department of the Treasury must allow mortgage servicers to participate in these programs to receive loans, loan guarantees, and other investments currently offered to eligible businesses, states, and municipalities.