What's happening
This bill requires mortgage lenders to provide applicants with a "mortgage applicant's bill of rights" pamphlet outlining key consumer protections.
Why it matters
Improves transparency and informed decision-making. By requiring lenders to provide a detailed "bill of rights" pamphlet, the bill ensures that mortgage applicants receive clear information about their rights, such as the ability to compare lenders, understand all fees, and receive explanations of loan terms. This can help consumers avoid unfavorable loan conditions and predatory practices.
Strengthens accountability for lenders and brokers. The bill mandates that lenders obtain written acknowledgment that applicants received the pamphlet, and retain this record. This creates a paper trail, making it easier to address consumer complaints and enforce compliance if lenders or brokers fail to uphold these standards.
Empowers consumers with recourse options. The pamphlet must inform applicants of their right to file complaints with state agencies if brokers or real estate professionals violate laws or regulations. This gives consumers a direct avenue to seek redress and holds industry professionals to higher standards.
Promotes fair lending and anti-discrimination. By explicitly stating applicants’ right to a credit decision free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, sexual orientation, disability, or public assistance income, the bill reinforces fair lending practices and supports equal access to homeownership.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Mortgage Rights Pamphlet Required
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to banks
- Referred to banks
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Mortgage Rights Pamphlet
In Assembly Committee · Banks · Sponsor Ron Kim
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3544
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 8, 2019
Introduced by Sens. COMRIE, KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Banks
AN ACT to amend the banking law, in relation to directing licensed mortgage bankers and authorized mortgage loan originators to provide mortgage applicants with a mortgage bill of rights pamphlet on residential mortgages
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The banking law is amended by adding a new section 35 to read as follows:
§ 35. Information pamphlet for residential mortgage applicants. 1. The superintendent shall develop a pamphlet known as "the mortgage applicant's bill of rights" and post such pamphlet on the department's internet website. Copies of such pamphlet shall be provided to all licensed lenders and banking organizations offering residential mortgage services. A copy of such pamphlet shall be provided by licensed lenders and banking organizations to each person before such person enters into an application for a loan secured by a mortgage upon residential real property. Furthermore, such licensed lender and banking organization shall not accept an application for a residential mortgage until the person or persons applying for a mortgage have been provided a copy of the booklet and acknowledged receipt of it in writing. Every licensed lender and banking organization shall maintain such acknowledgement along with the applicant's mortgage loan documents.
2. The pamphlet and website notice developed pursuant to this section shall include the following, along with other information added at the discretion of the superintendent not otherwise inconsistent with the information set forth in the pamphlet:
"BILL OF RIGHTS FOR RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE APPLICANTS As an applicant for a residential mortgage you have the right to:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03800-01-9
S. 3544 2
1. Compare the charges of different mortgage brokers and lenders to obtain the best loan possible.
2. Ask your mortgage broker to explain his or her responsibilities within the mortgage lending process.
3. Know how much the mortgage broker is compensated by you and the lender for your loan.
4. A clear and truthful explanation of the terms and conditions of the loan.
5. Know if the loan being offered is a fixed or adjustable rate mortgage loan, know the exact amount of your monthly loan payments, including any projected escrow payments, know the final annual percentage rate (APR) and the amount of regular payments at the loan's closing.
6. Ask for a good faith estimate of all loan and settlement charges before you agree to the loan and pay any fees, such as loan application fees, title search and insurance fees, lender's attorney fees, property appraisal charges, inspections, recording fees, transfer taxes, point and origination fees, and escrow account balances.
7. Obtain credit counseling before closing a loan.
8. Decide whether or not to finance any portion of the points or fees.
9. Refuse to purchase credit insurance for any mortgage loan.
10. Have your property appraised by an independent licensed professional and to receive a copy of the appraisal.
11. Not be subject to deceptive marketing practices.
12. Ask for the HUD settlement costs booklet, "buying your home".
13. Receive the following documents, and every document otherwise required to be given to you at closing under federal and New York state law:
a. Good faith estimate
b. Truth in lending
c. HUD-1 statement.
14. Know what fees are not refundable if you decide to cancel the loan agreement.
15. Receive in writing the reason for the denial or conditional approval of your loan application.
16. If refinancing, you may cancel a loan within three days of the closing by providing written notification of cancellation to the licensed lender or banking institution.
17. Receive the HUD-1 document one day before the closing takes place.
18. Have any lending disputes resolved in a fair and equitable manner.
19. A credit decision that is not based upon your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, sexual orientation, disability or whether any income is from public assistance.
20. File a complaint with the New York state department of financial services if you believe that a mortgage broker or any other entity licensed by such department has violated any rules, regulations or laws which govern his or her conduct in working with you to get or process a mortgage loan.
21. File a complaint with the New York state department of state if you believe that a real estate broker has violated any rules, regulations or law which governs his or her conduct in working with you to purchase a home."
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that, effective immediately, any and all actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the banking law, in relation to directing licensed mort- gage bankers and authorized mortgage loan originators to provide mort- gage applicants with a mortgage bill of rights pamphlet on residential mortgages
Purpose
Requires mortgage lenders and brokers to provide consumer with mortgage bill of rights pamphlet which must be signed by the consumer prior to mortgage application.
Summary of provisions
The Superintendent of Banks shall develop, post on the Departments website, print, and distribute in sufficient numbers, to every licensed mortgage lender and banking organization a mortgage bill of rights pamphlet A copy of such pamphlet shall be given to each person inquiring about a mortgage loan. Furthermore, no licensed mortgage lender or bank- ing organization shall accept an application for a residential mortgage until applicant(s) has signed a statement that he/she has read and understands the mortgage bill pamphlet.
Justification
The mortgage crises highlighted the fact that New York State residents are unaware of their rights and entitlements throughout the mortgage process. Therefore, this bill will empower consumers by requiring the New York State Banking Department to create an informational pamphlet for lenders to provide to customers prior to said customers filling out the mortgage application.
Legislative history
2018: Senate Bill 334.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after is shall have become a law; provided that, effective immediately, any and all actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.