SCRA Enhancement and Improvement Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2719
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2016-03-17
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration

Civil actions and liability

Consumer credit

Credit and credit markets

Evidence and witnesses

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Government information and archives

Government lending and loan guarantees

Government studies and investigations

Higher education

Housing finance and home ownership

Interest, dividends, interest rates

Lawyers and legal services

Legal fees and court costs

Licensing and registrations

Military personnel and dependents

Personnel records

Property tax

Public contracts and procurement

Student aid and college costs

Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Latest action: action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1598-1599)

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-03-17
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>SCRA Enhancement and Improvement Act of 2016</strong></p> <p>This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to require servicers of federally issued or guaranteed student loans to use the Defense Manpower Data Center to monitor the duty status of service member borrowers.</p> <p>A servicer shall notify: (1) the Department of Education, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the service member prior to selling or transferring such loan to another servicer; and (2) a service member regarding any denied SCRA benefit or protection, including an explanation for such decision and a description of related appeal procedures.</p> <p> A service member who dies: (1) in the line of duty while on active duty shall have student loans forgiven, and (2) from a service-connected death shall have the balance of federally issued or guaranteed student loans forgiven. </p> <p>The interest cap on debt incurred by a service member before entering service is extended to cover all loans regardless of when the debt is incurred. Such cap is reduced: (1) from 6% to 3%, and (2) to 0% during the time a service member is eligible for hostile fire pay. </p> <p>Each federal student loan servicer shall: (1) employ at least one dedicated service member representative, and (2) ensure that each service member's request for an SCRA benefit or protection is processed within 14 days after such request is received or by such date as ED may prescribe, whichever is earlier. </p> <p>Each student loan servicer shall inquire whether an applicant or cosigner has served in the military and, if so, shall inform the individual of his or her SCRA rights and protections.</p> <p>The CFPB shall: (1) establish and make available an Internet database to evaluate student loan servicers, and (2) develop a servicer oversight plan.</p> <p>The termination/repossession protection period for a service member who breaches an installment contract for the purchase of real or personal property is extended until one year after completion of military service.</p> <p>Mortgage prepayment penalties may not accrue during military service.</p> <p> The expiration of a license issued by a state or local licensing authority to a service member, or a continuing education requirement to maintain such a license, is delayed to 180 days after such service member is no longer eligible for hostile fire special pay.</p> <p> Protections are expanded with respect to collection of property taxes owed by a service member.</p> <p> The bill prohibits denial of credit to a service member solely by reason of entitlement to SCRA protections.</p> <p> Due diligence requirements are expanded for determining whether an individual is a service member prior to taking a default judgment against such individual.</p> <p> SCRA protections are extended to service members who are personally liable as a guarantor or co-maker of a mortgage, trust deed, or other security in the nature of a mortgage.</p> <p>The Department of Justice may issue a civil investigative demand for documents relating to an investigation under SCRA prior to initiating a civil action for violations of such Act.</p> <p>The bill permits the use of Arbitration under SCRA only if all parties consent in writing. </p> <p> The bill doubles penalties penalties for SCRA violations.</p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2719 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 17, 2016 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Sanders , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Durbin , and Ms. Warren ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to improve the protections provided to members of the uniformed services and their families, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the SCRA Enhancement and Improvement Act of 2016 . (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I—Student protection and debt relief Sec. 101. Student protection and debt relief. Sec. 102. Expansion of protections concerning all debts of members of uniformed services to cover debt incurred during and after periods of military service. Sec. 103. Improvements concerning limitations on rates of interest on debts of members of uniformed services. Sec. 104. Requirement that student loan servicers employ dedicated servicemember service representatives. Sec. 105. Timely processing by student loan servicers of requests submitted by servicemembers. Sec. 106. Requirements applicable to student loan applications. Sec. 107. Retention by loan servicers of copies and recordings of communications with members of uniformed services and veterans. Sec. 108. Online tool for evaluation of student loan servicers. Sec. 109. Assessment of student loan servicers. Sec. 110. Definitions. TITLE II—Enhancement of rights under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Sec. 201. Extended period of protection under installment contracts for purchase or lease. Sec. 202. Modification of period determining which actions are covered under stay of proceedings and adjustment of obligation protections concerning mortgages and trust deeds of members of uniformed services. Sec. 203. Prohibition on collection of penalties for early prepayment of mortgage. Sec. 204. Protections for members of uniformed services regarding professional licenses. Sec. 205. Expansion of protections for members of uniformed services regarding taxes respecting real property occupied by businesses owned by such members. Sec. 206. Prohibition on denial of credit because of eligibility for protection. Sec. 207. Termination of television and Internet service contracts. Sec. 208. Guarantee of residency of dependents of members of uniformed services. TITLE III—Improvements to Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Sec. 301. Improved protection of members of uniformed services against default judgments. Sec. 302. Modification of period in which a waiver of a right pursuant to a written agreement may be made under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Sec. 303. Clarification regarding application of enforcement authority of Attorney General and private right of action under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Sec. 304. Expansion of protections relating to mortgages to include obligations on real or personal property for which a servicemember is personally liable as a guarantor or co-maker. TITLE IV—Enforcement of rights under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Sec. 401. Election of arbitration to resolve controversies under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Sec. 402. Issuance and service of civil investigative demands by Attorney General under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Sec. 403. Increase in civil penalties for violation of Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. TITLE V—Other matters Sec. 501. Transfer of definitions of military orders and continental United States. Sec. 502. Clerical amendments. I Student protection and debt relief 101. Student protection and debt relief (a) In general The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new title: IX Student protection and debt relief 901. Definitions In this title: (1) Servicer The term servicer , with respect to a student loan, means a person who— (A) during a period in which repayment of the student loan is required— (i) receives scheduled periodic payments from the borrower or notification of such payments; and (ii) applies payments to the borrower's account pursuant to the terms of the student loan or of the contract governing the servicing of the student loan; (B) during a period when not payment is required on the student loan— (i) maintains account records regarding the student loan; and (ii) communicates with the borrower regarding the student loan on behalf of the student loan's holder; or (C) interacts with the borrower, including activities to help prevent default on obligations arising from the student loan, conducted to facilitate activities described in subparagraph (A) or (B). (2) Student loan The term student loan has the meaning given such term qualified education loan in section 221(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 902. Continual monitoring by student loan servicers of status of servicemembers (a) In general Each servicer of a student loan that was issued by or guaranteed by the Federal Government shall continuously monitor the Defense Manpower Data Center, or any successor database, for the purpose of continuously monitoring the duty status of borrowers who are servicemembers and complying with the requirements of this Act. (b) Policies and procedures Monitoring conducted under subsection (a) shall be conducted in accordance with such policies and procedures as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe for purposes of this section. 903. Requirement that student loan servicers explain denials of benefits and provide instruction for appeals process In any case in which a servicemember submits to the servicer of a student loan of the servicemember an application for a benefit under this Act or a notice to invoke a protection under this Act with respect to such student loan and the servicer denies such benefit or determines that such protection is not applicable, the servicer shall provide the servicemember with— (1) a complete and clear explanation of the reasons why the servicer denied such benefit or determined such protection is not applicable; and (2) a clear and concise description of the actions that the servicemember may take— (A) to appeal such denial or determination; and (B) to obtain such benefit or invoke such protection. 904. Notification of transfer or sale of student loans (a) Notification required Not later than 60 days before the date that a servicer of a student loan of a servicemember sells or transfers such student loan to another person for servicing, the servicer of such loan shall submit to the Secretary of Education, the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the servicemember a notice of such sale or transfer. (b) Retention of limitations and protections In any case in which a student loan described in subsection (a) is sold or transferred and the seller or transferor of the student loan placed a limitation or protection on such loan pursuant to a provision of this Act, such limitation or protection shall apply to such student loan after sale or transfer without any action taken by the servicemember. 905. Forgiveness of student debt of servicemembers (a) Forgiveness of student debt of servicemembers who die in line of duty while serving on active duty Upon the death of a servicemember who dies in line of duty while serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces, each student loan of the servicemember is forgiven. (b) Forgiveness of Federal student debt upon service-Connected death Upon the service-connected death of a servicemember, the balance of each student loan of the servicemember guaranteed or issued by the Federal Government is forgiven. (c) Service-Connected defined In this section, the term service-connected has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. . (b) Clerical amendment Section 1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following new items: TITLE IX—Student protection and debt relief Sec. 901. Definitions. Sec. 902. Continual monitoring by student loan servicers of status of servicemembers. Sec. 903. Requirement that student loan servicers explain denials of benefits and provide instruction for appeals process. Sec. 904. Notification of transfer or sale of student loans. Sec. 905. Forgiveness of student debt of servicemembers. . 102. Expansion of protections concerning all debts of members of uniformed services to cover debt incurred during and after periods of military service (a) Application of maximum rate of interest to all debts incurred by members of uniformed services (1) In general Subsection (a)(1) of section 207 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3937 ) is amended, in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking before the servicemember enters military service . (2) Conforming amendment Subsection (b)(1) of such section is amended— (A) by inserting , as applicable, after extending military service ; and (B) by striking , not later than 180 days after the date of the servicemember's termination or release from military service . (3) Clerical amendments (A) Section heading Section 207 of such Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3937 ) is amended by striking before military service and inserting by servicemembers . (B) Table of contents The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by striking the item relating to section 207 and inserting the following new item: Sec. 207. Maximum rate of interest on debts incurred by servicemembers. . (b) Expansion of protections regarding mortgages and trust deeds Section 303(a) of such Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3953(a) ) is amended— (1) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking servicemember that— and inserting servicemember— ; (2) in paragraph (1), by striking originated before the period of the servicemember's military service and ; and (3) in paragraph (2), by inserting that before is secured . 103. Improvements concerning limitations on rates of interest on debts of members of uniformed services (a) Modification of maximum rate of interest Section 207(a) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3937(a) ), as amended by section 102(a), is further amended— (1) in paragraph (1), in the matter before subparagraph (A)— (A) by striking Limitation to 6 percent and inserting In general ; (B) by striking 6 percent per year and inserting the rate specified in paragraph (4) ; and (C) by striking 6 percent— and inserting the rate specified in paragraph (4)— ; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking interest in excess of 6 percent and inserting excess interest ; and (B) by striking 6 percent per year and inserting the rate specified in paragraph (4) ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) Maximum rate The rate specified in this paragraph is— (A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), three percent per year; and (B) in the case of a servicemember who, during a period of military service, is eligible for special pay under section 310 of title 37, United States Code, zero percent per year for the duration of such period. . (b) Procedures for implementation of maximum rate of interest (1) Procedures concerning student debt Section 207(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3937(b) ), as amended by section 102(a)(2), is further amended— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking In order and inserting Except as provided in paragraph (3)(A), in order ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) Student loans issued or guaranteed by Federal Government (A) Automatic application of rate reduction A servicer of a student loan issued or guaranteed by the Federal Government shall be considered to have received written notice concerning the student loan of an individual and a copy of military orders, as applicable, under paragraph (1) whenever the Defense Manpower Data Center, or any successor database, changes the duty status of the individual in such a manner as to indicate that debts of the individual are subject to the rate limitation in subsection (a). (B) Notice submitted by student loan servicers to servicemembers Whenever a servicer of a student loan of a servicemember issued or guaranteed by the Federal Government forgoes interest on the student loan pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (a) or forgives interest pursuant to paragraph (2) of such subsection, the servicer shall notify the servicemember of— (i) the action taken by the servicer; and (ii) such rights as the servicemember may have under this Act or any other applicable provision of law. . (2) Uniform applicability of notice Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) Uniform applicability of notice If a servicemember provides a creditor written notice and a copy of military orders pursuant paragraph (1) in order to invoke a rate reduction under subsection (a) with respect to a particular obligation or liability, such provision of notice shall be considered provision of notice to the creditor for purposes of invoking rate reductions under subsection (a) for all obligations and liabilities of the servicemember serviced, owned, or held by the creditor. . 104. Requirement that student loan servicers employ dedicated servicemember service representatives (a) In general Each servicer of a student loan that was issued by or guaranteed by the Federal Government shall employ at least one individual who is dedicated to servicing student loans of servicemembers and is knowledgeable about the rights and benefits to which members of the uniformed services are entitled under this Act, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. ), and any other provision of law by virtue of being a member of the uniformed services. (b) Training (1) In general Each servicer described in subsection (a) shall ensure that each individual employed pursuant to subsection (a) is appropriately trained. (2) Standards The Secretary of Education, in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney General, may prescribe standards for training required by paragraph (1). (3) Certification Each servicer described in subsection (a) shall certify to the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs whether the individual or individuals employed by the servicer pursuant to subsection (a) have been appropriately trained pursuant to paragraph (1). (c) Dedicated phone numbers and Internet websites (1) In general Each servicer described in subsection (a) shall establish a dedicated phone number and Internet website or webpage— (A) by which servicemembers can contact and receive assistance from the individual or individuals the servicer employs under subsection (a); and (B) from which servicemembers can obtain descriptions of the rights and benefits to which servicemembers are entitled under this Act. (2) Prominent display Each servicer described in subsection (a) shall prominently display on marketing materials, application documents, and the Internet website of the servicer the phone number and the Uniform Resource Locator for the Internet website established by the person pursuant to paragraph (1). 105. Timely processing by student loan servicers of requests submitted by servicemembers Each servicer of a student loan of a servicemember that was issued by or guaranteed by the Federal Government shall ensure that each request submitted to the servicer by a servicemember for a benefit or protection under this Act, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. ), and any other applicable provision of law is processed by the servicer before the earlier of the following: (1) The date that is 14 days after the date that the person received the request from the servicemember. (2) Such date as the Secretary of Education may prescribe. 106. Requirements applicable to student loan applications (a) Inquiry Each servicer of a student loan shall inquire of each applicant for a student loan from the servicer if the applicant for the student loan or a cosigner of the student loan has ever served in the uniformed services. (b) Notice of rights and monitoring of status For each applicant for a loan who responds to an inquiry by a servicer under subsection (a) that the applicant or a cosigner has ever served in the uniformed services, the servicer shall— (1) inform the applicant of the rights and protections that may be afforded to the applicant or the cosigner under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. ) and other applicable provisions of law; (2) make a permanent note of the applicant's or cosigner's service in the uniformed services; and (3) commence monitoring the status of the applicant or cosigner pursuant to section 901 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, as added by section 101. 107. Retention by loan servicers of copies and recordings of communications with members of uniformed services and veterans (a) Retention Each servicer of a student loan that was issued by or guaranteed by the Federal Government shall retain, for a period of not less than 5 years, a copy or recording, as applicable, of each communication between the servicer and a member of the uniformed services or a veteran, including communications by phone, Internet, or post. (b) Availability Each servicer of a student loan that was issued by or guaranteed by the Federal Government shall make available to the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Attorney General, and the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, upon request, the communications copied or recorded under subsection (a). 108. Online tool for evaluation of student loan servicers (a) In general The Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shall establish and make publicly available via the Internet a database of information that members of the uniformed services and veterans can use to evaluate servicers of student loans of members of the uniformed services or veterans. (b) Contents The database required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) Complaints concerning, or reviews regarding, services provided by servicers described subsection (a). (2) Assessments of the compliance of such servicers with the requirements of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. ). (3) Such other information as the Director considers appropriate to help members of the uniformed services and veterans to evaluate servicers as described in subsection (a). 109. Assessment of student loan servicers (a) In general Not later than the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education and the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shall each— (1) complete a statistically valid assessment of each servicer of a student loan of a member of the uniformed services issued by or guaranteed by the Federal Government; (2) develop a plan for the oversight of such servicers; (3) develop such recommendations for legislative and administrative actions as the Secretary and the Director each consider appropriate; and (4) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on— (A) the assessment conducted under paragraph (1); (B) the plan developed under paragraph (2); (C) the recommendations developed under paragraph (3); and (D) such other matters as the Secretary and the Director each consider appropriate. (b) Elements Each assessment of a servicer required by subsection (a)(1) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the compliance of the servicer with the provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. ), as amended by this Act. (2) An assessment of the satisfaction of members of the uniformed services with the services provided by such servicer with respect to their student loans serviced by the servicer. (3) A qualitative evaluation of the customer service provided by the servicer with respect to student loans of members of the uniformed services serviced by the servicer. (4) A detailed description of the methodology used to carry out the assessment. (c) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives. 110. Definitions In this title: (1) Servicer and student loan The terms servicer and student loan have the meanings given such terms in section 901 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, as added by section 101 of this title. (2) Uniformed services The term uniformed services has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code. II Enhancement of rights under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act 201. Extended period of protection under installment contracts for purchase or lease Section 302(a)(1) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3952(a)(1) ) is amended, in the matter following subparagraph (B), by striking or during that person's military service and inserting , during, or within one year after such servicemember's period of military service . 202. Modification of period determining which actions are covered under stay of proceedings and adjustment of obligation protections concerning mortgages and trust deeds of members of uniformed services Section 303(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3953(b) ) is amended by striking filed and inserting pending . 203. Prohibition on collection of penalties for early prepayment of mortgage Section 203 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3933 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) Prohibition on prepayment penalties for certain mortgages (1) In general When a servicemember discharges an obligation arising under a mortgage contract and would otherwise thereby incur a prepayment penalty, such penalty shall not accrue if— (A) the servicemember is in military service at the time the prepayment penalty is incurred; and (B) the reason the servicemember discharges the obligation, thereby incurring the penalty, is materially affected by such military service. (2) Materially affecting military service For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), the requirement that the reason a servicemember discharged a mortgage obligation, thereby incurring a prepayment penalty, be materially affected by military services requires— (A) that the mortgage be secured by the servicemember's primary residence; and (B) that the servicemember receive permanent change of station orders. (3) Relief, costs, and attorney fees An assessment of a penalty in violation of this subsection shall be considered a violation of this Act for purposes of title VIII. . 204. Protections for members of uniformed services regarding professional licenses (a) In general Title VII of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 4021 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 707. Professional licenses (a) Expiration during period in which servicemembers are eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger special pay If a license issued by a State or local licensing authority to a servicemember would otherwise expire during a period in which such servicemember is eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger special pay under section 310 of title 37, United States Code, such State or local licensing authority shall delay the expiration of such license until not earlier than the date that is 180 days after the date on which such period of eligibility ends. (b) Continuing education requirements during period in which servicemembers are eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger special pay If a State or local licensing authority otherwise requires a servicemember to meet any continuing education requirements to maintain a license for a trade or profession during a period in which such servicemember is eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger special pay under section 310 of title 37, United States Code, such State or local licensing authority shall delay such continuing education requirement until not earlier than the date that is 180 days after the date on which such period of eligibility ends. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901(b) ) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 706 the following new item: Sec. 707. Professional licenses and certifications. . 205. Expansion of protections for members of uniformed services regarding taxes respecting real property occupied by businesses owned by such members (a) In general Subsection (a)(2) of section 501 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3991 ) is amended by striking the matter before subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (2) real property occupied for dwelling, professional, trade, business, or agricultural purposes by a servicemember, the servicemember's dependents or employees, or a business which (without regard to the form in which such profession, trade, business, or agricultural operation is organized or carried out) is owned entirely by a servicemember or by a servicemember and the spouse of the servicemember— . (b) Notice Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) Written notice to taxing authorities In order for real property owned by a business which is owned entirely by a servicemember or by a servicemember and the spouse of the servicemember to be subject to the protections provided in this section, the servicemember shall provide to the applicable taxing authority written notice and a copy of the military orders calling the servicemember to military service and any orders further extending military service, not later than 180 days after the date of the servicemember's termination or release from military service. . 206. Prohibition on denial of credit because of eligibility for protection Section 108 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3919 ) is amended— (1) by striking Application by and inserting (a) Application or receipt .—Application by ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (b) Eligibility (1) In general In addition to the protections under subsection (a), an individual who is entitled to any right or protection provided under this Act may not be denied or refused credit or be subject to any other action described under paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (a) solely by reason of such entitlement. (2) Construction Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a lender from considering all relevant factors, other than the entitlement of an individual to a right or protection provided under this Act, in making a determination as to whether it is appropriate to extend credit. . 207. Termination of television and Internet service contracts (a) In general Section 305A of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3956 ) is amended— (1) by inserting , television, and Internet after telephone ; (2) in subsection (b), by striking or telephone exchange service inserting , telephone exchange service, cable television service, satellite television service, or Internet service after cellular telephone service ; and (3) in subsection (c), by inserting for cellular telephone service or telephone exchange service after case of a contract . (b) Clerical amendment Section 1(b) of such Act is amended by striking the item relating to section 305A and inserting the following new item: Sec. 305A. Termination of telephone, television, and Internet service contracts. . 208. Guarantee of residency of dependents of members of uniformed services (a) In general Section 705(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 4025(b) ) is amended— (1) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking a person and all that follows through that absence and inserting a dependent of a servicemember who is absent from a State because the servicemember is absent from that same State in compliance with military orders shall not, solely by reason of absence, whether or not accompanying the servicemember ; and (2) in paragraph (1), by striking the person and inserting the dependent . (b) Clerical amendments Such Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. ) is amended— (1) in section 705 ( 50 U.S.C. 4025 )— (A) in the section heading my striking spouses and inserting dependents ; and (B) in the heading for subsection (b), by striking Spouses and inserting Dependents ; and (2) in the table of sections in section 1 ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 ), by striking the item relating to section 705 and inserting the following new item: Sec. 705. Guarantee of residency for military personnel and dependents of military personnel. . III Improvements to Servicemembers Civil Relief Act 301. Improved protection of members of uniformed services against default judgments (a) Modification of plaintiff affidavit filing requirement (1) In general Paragraph (1) of section 201(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3931(b) ) is amended— (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting such clauses two ems to the right; (B) in the matter before clause (i), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by striking In any and inserting the following: (A) In general In any ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph (B): (B) Due diligence Before filing the affidavit, the plaintiff shall conduct a diligent and reasonable investigation to determine whether or not the defendant is in military service, including a search of available records of the Department of Defense and any other information reasonably available to the plaintiff. The affidavit shall set forth all steps taken to determine the defendant’s military status and shall have attached copies of the records on which the plaintiff relied in drafting the affidavit. . (2) Applicability Paragraph (1)(B) of such section, as added by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to actions and proceedings filed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Appointment of attorney To represent defendant in military service Paragraph (2) of such section ( 50 U.S.C. 3931(b) ) is amended— (1) by striking If in an action and inserting the following: (A) In general If in an action ; (2) in subparagraph (A), as designated by paragraph (1), by striking If an attorney and inserting the following: (C) Limitations on appointed attorney If an attorney ; (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A), as designated by paragraph (1), the following new subparagraph: (B) Due diligence If the court appoints an attorney to represent the defendant— (i) the attorney shall conduct a diligent and reasonable investigation to determine whether or not the defendant is in military service, including a search of available records of the Department of Defense and any other information reasonably available to the attorney; and (ii) the plaintiff shall submit to the attorney such information as the plaintiff may have concerning the whereabouts or identity of the defendant. ; and (4) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) Treatment of attorneys fees The reasonable fees of an attorney appointed to represent a servicemember shall be treated as costs of court for court cost purposes, unless the creditor seeks relief from such charges from the court. . 302. Modification of period in which a waiver of a right pursuant to a written agreement may be made under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Section 107(a) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3918(a) ) is amended in the third sentence by striking during or after the servicemember's period of military service and inserting after the occurrence of the event that gave rise to the rights or protections to be waived . 303. Clarification regarding application of enforcement authority of Attorney General and private right of action under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Sections 801 and 802 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 4041 and 4042) shall apply as if such sections were included in the enactment of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (54 Stat. 1178, chapter 888) and included in the restatement of such Act in Public Law 108–189 . 304. Expansion of protections relating to mortgages to include obligations on real or personal property for which a servicemember is personally liable as a guarantor or co-maker Section 303(a) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3953(a) ) is amended, in the matter before paragraph (1), by inserting or an obligation on real or personal property for which a servicemember is personally liable as a guarantor or co-maker after by a servicemember . IV Enforcement of rights under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act 401. Election of arbitration to resolve controversies under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (a) In general Section 102 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3912 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Election of arbitration (1) Consent Required Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever a contract with a servicemember provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy subject to a provision of this Act and arising out of or relating to such contract, arbitration may be used to settle such controversy only if, after such controversy arises, all parties to such controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle such controversy. (2) Explanation required Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever arbitration is elected to settle a dispute pursuant to paragraph (1), the arbitrator shall provide the parties to such contract with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for any decision made by the arbitrator in the course of such arbitration. . (b) Applicability Subsection (d) of such section, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to contracts entered into, amended, altered, modified, renewed, or extended after the date of the enactment of this Act. 402. Issuance and service of civil investigative demands by Attorney General under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (a) In general Section 801 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 4041 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (d) Issuance and service of civil investigative demands (1) In general Whenever the Attorney General has reason to believe that any person may be in possession, custody, or control of any documentary material relevant to an investigation under this Act, the Attorney General may, before commencing a civil action under subsection (a), issue in writing and serve upon such person, a civil investigative demand requiring— (A) the production of such documentary material for inspection and copying; (B) that the custodian of such documentary material answer in writing written questions with respect to such documentary material; or (C) the production of any combination of such documentary material or answers. (2) False claims The provisions of section 3733 of title 31, United States Code, governing the authority to issue, use, and enforce civil investigative demands shall apply with respect to the authority to issue, use, and enforce civil investigative demands under this section, except that, for purposes of applying such section 3733— (A) references to false claims law investigators or investigations shall be considered references to investigators or investigations under this Act; (B) references to interrogatories shall be considered references to written questions, and answers to such need not be under oath; (C) the definitions relating to false claims law shall not apply; and (D) provisions relating to qui tam relators shall not apply. (3) Annual report (A) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the SCRA Enhancement and Improvement Act of 2016 and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the issuance of civil investigative demands under this subsection during the previous one-year period. (B) Elements Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following for the year covered by the report: (i) The number of times that a civil investigative demand was issued under this subsection. (ii) For each civil investigative demand issued under this subsection with respect to an investigation, whether such investigation resulted in a settlement or conviction. . (b) Effective date Subsection (d) of such section, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to all violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. ), regardless of when the violations are alleged to have occurred. 403. Increase in civil penalties for violation of Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (a) In general Section 801(b)(3) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 4041(b)(3) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking $55,000 and inserting $110,000 ; and (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking $110,000 and inserting $220,000 . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. ) that occur on or after such date. V Other matters 501. Transfer of definitions of military orders and continental United States (a) Transfer of definitions The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. ) is amended by transferring paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 305(i) ( 50 U.S.C. 3955(i) ) to the end of section 101 ( 50 U.S.C. 3911 ) and redesignating such paragraphs, as so transferred, as paragraphs (10) and (11). (b) Conforming amendments Such Act is further amended— (1) in section 305 ( 50 U.S.C. 3955 ), as amended by subsection (a), by striking subsection (i); and (2) in section 705(a) ( 50 U.S.C. 4025(a) ), in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking or naval . 502. Clerical amendments (a) In general The heading for section 305 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3955 ) is amended by striking residential or motor vehicle leases and inserting leases of premises occupied and motor vehicles used . (b) Table of contents The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3901(b) ) is amended by striking the item relating to section 305 and inserting the following new item: Sec. 305. Termination of leases of premises occupied and motor vehicles used. .