CHAPTER 846
MORTGAGES

      Sec. 49-31k. Definitions. As used in this section and sections 49-31l to 49-31o, inclusive:

      (1) "Mortgagor" means: (A) The owner-occupant of one-to-four family residential real property located in this state who is also the borrower under a mortgage encumbering such residential real property, which is the primary residence of such owner-occupant, or (B) a religious organization that is (i) the owner of real property located in this state, and (ii) the borrower under a mortgage encumbering such real property;

      (2) "Residential real property" means a one-to-four family dwelling occupied as a residence by a mortgagor;

      (3) "Mortgagee" means the original lender or servicer under a mortgage, or its successors or assigns, who is the holder of any mortgage on residential real property or real property owned by a religious organization securing a loan made primarily for personal, family, religious or household purposes that is the subject of a foreclosure action;

      (4) "Authority" means the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority created under section 8-244;

      (5) "Mortgage assistance programs" means the mortgage assistance programs developed and implemented by the authority in accordance with sections 8-265cc to 8-265kk, inclusive, 8-265rr and 8-265ss; and

      (6) "Religious organization" means an organization that meets the religious purposes test of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

      (P.A. 08-176, S. 15; P.A. 11-201, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 08-176 effective July 1, 2008; P.A. 11-201 redefined "mortgagor" in Subdiv. (1) and "mortgagee" in Subdiv. (3) and added Subdiv. (6) defining "religious organization", effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 49-31l. Foreclosure mediation: Notice of foreclosure mediation program. Forms. Procedure. Stay of litigation. (a) Prior to July 1, 2014: (1) Any action for the foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property with a return date during the period from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, inclusive, shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, and (2) any action for the foreclosure of a mortgage on (A) residential real property with a return date during the period from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2014, inclusive, or (B) real property owned by a religious organization with a return date during the period from October 1, 2011, to June 30, 2014, inclusive, shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.

      (b) (1) Prior to July 1, 2012, when a mortgagee commences an action for the foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property with a return date during the period from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, inclusive, the mortgagee shall give notice to the mortgagor of the foreclosure mediation program established in section 49-31m by attaching to the front of the foreclosure complaint that is served on the mortgagor: (A) A copy of the notice of the availability of foreclosure mediation, in such form as the Chief Court Administrator prescribes, and (B) a foreclosure mediation request form, in such form as the Chief Court Administrator prescribes.

      (2) Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, a mortgagor may request foreclosure mediation by submitting the foreclosure mediation request form to the court and filing an appearance not more than fifteen days after the return date for the foreclosure action. Upon receipt of the foreclosure mediation request form, the court shall notify each appearing party that a foreclosure mediation request form has been submitted by the mortgagor.

      (3) The court may grant a mortgagor permission to submit a foreclosure mediation request form and file an appearance after the fifteen-day period established in subdivision (2) of this subsection, for good cause shown, except that no foreclosure mediation request form may be submitted and no appearance may be filed more than twenty-five days after the return date.

      (4) No foreclosure mediation request form may be submitted to the court under this subsection on or after July 1, 2012.

      (5) If at any time on or after July 1, 2008, but prior to July 1, 2012, the court determines that the notice requirement of subdivision (1) of this subsection has not been met, the court may, upon its own motion or upon the written motion of the mortgagor, issue an order that no judgment may enter for fifteen days during which period the mortgagor may submit a foreclosure mediation request form to the court.

      (6) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any rule of law to the contrary, prior to July 1, 2012, no judgment of strict foreclosure nor any judgment ordering a foreclosure sale shall be entered in any action subject to the provisions of this subsection and instituted by the mortgagee to foreclose a mortgage on residential real property unless: (A) Notice to the mortgagor has been given by the mortgagee in accordance with subdivision (1) of this subsection and the time for submitting a foreclosure mediation request form has expired and no foreclosure mediation request form has been submitted, or if such notice has not been given, the time for submitting a foreclosure mediation request form pursuant to subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection has expired and no foreclosure mediation request form has been submitted, or (B) the mediation period set forth in subdivision (b) of section 49-31n has expired or has otherwise terminated, whichever is earlier.

      (7) None of the mortgagor's or mortgagee's rights in the foreclosure action shall be waived by the mortgagor's submission of a foreclosure mediation request form to the court.

      (c) (1) Prior to July 1, 2014, when a mortgagee commences an action for the foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property with a return date on or after July 1, 2009, or, with respect to real property owned by a religious organization, a return date on or after October 1, 2011, the mortgagee shall give notice to the mortgagor of the foreclosure mediation program established in section 49-31m by attaching to the front of the writ, summons and complaint that is served on the mortgagor: (A) A copy of the notice of foreclosure mediation, in such form as the Chief Court Administrator prescribes, (B) a copy of the foreclosure mediation certificate form described in subdivision (3) of this subsection, in such form as the Chief Court Administrator prescribes, (C) a blank appearance form, in such form as the Chief Court Administrator prescribes, and (D) with respect to an action for the foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property with a return date on or after October 1, 2011, a mediation information form and a notice containing contact information for authority-approved consumer credit counseling agencies, which form and notice shall be in such form as the Chief Court Administrator prescribes. Such mediation information form shall be designed to elicit current financial information and such other nonfinancial information from the mortgagor as the Chief Court Administrator, in consultation with representatives from the banking industry and consumer advocates, determines will be useful to the mediation process. The instructions to the mediation information form shall explain that the completed mediation information form, along with accompanying documentation reasonably requested from the mortgagor by way of such instructions, shall be delivered to the mortgagee's counsel not later than fifteen business days prior to the date of the initial mediation session, as identified in the notice provided pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of section 49-31n.

      (2) The court shall issue a notice of foreclosure mediation described in subdivision (3) of this subsection to the mortgagor not later than the date three business days after the date the mortgagee returns the writ to the court.

      (3) The notice of foreclosure mediation shall instruct the mortgagor to file the appearance and foreclosure mediation certificate forms with the court not later than the date fifteen days from the return date for the foreclosure action. Such notice shall remind the mortgagor to deliver the completed mediation information form and the accompanying documentation described in subdivision (1) of this subsection and encourage such delivery in advance of the required date. The mediation information form and accompanying documentation shall not, without the explicit written instruction of the mortgagor, be publicly available. Such notice shall be accompanied by materials from the Department of Banking, as prescribed by the Chief Court Administrator, which shall describe the community-based resources available to the mortgagor, including authority-approved housing counseling agencies that may assist with preparation of the mediation information form and application for mortgage assistance programs. The foreclosure mediation certificate form shall require the mortgagor to provide sufficient information to permit the court to confirm that the defendant in the foreclosure action is a mortgagor, and to certify that said mortgagor has sent a copy of the mediation certificate form to the plaintiff in the action.

      (4) Upon receipt of the mortgagor's appearance and foreclosure mediation certificate forms, and provided the court confirms the defendant in the foreclosure action is a mortgagor and that said mortgagor has sent a copy of the mediation certificate form to the plaintiff, the court shall schedule a date for foreclosure mediation in accordance with subsection (c) of section 49-31n. The court shall issue notice of such mediation date to all appearing parties not earlier than the date five business days after the return date or by the date three business days after the date on which the court receives the mortgagor's appearance and foreclosure mediation certificate forms, whichever is later, except that if the court does not receive the appearance and foreclosure mediation certificate forms from the mortgagor by the date fifteen days after the return date for the foreclosure action, the court shall not schedule such mediation.

      (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the court may refer a foreclosure action brought by a mortgagee to the foreclosure mediation program at any time, provided the mortgagor has filed an appearance in said action and further provided the court shall, not later than the date three business days after the date on which it makes such referral, send a notice to each appearing party scheduling the first foreclosure mediation session for a date not later than the date thirty-five days from the date of such referral.

      (6) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any rule of law, prior to July 1, 2014, (A) for the period of time which shall not exceed eight months from the return date, no mortgagee or mortgagor shall make any motion, request or demand with respect to the other, except those motions, requests or demands that relate to the mediation program described in section 49-31m and the mediation sessions held pursuant to such program, provided (i) a mortgagor seeking to contest the court's jurisdiction may file a motion to dismiss and the mortgagee may object to such motion to dismiss in accordance with applicable law and the rules of the courts, and (ii) if the mortgagor elects to make any other motion, request or demand with respect to the mortgagee, the eight-month limit shall no longer apply to either party; and (B) no judgment of strict foreclosure nor any judgment ordering a foreclosure sale shall be entered in any action subject to the provisions of this subsection and instituted by the mortgagee to foreclose a mortgage on residential real property or real property owned by a religious organization unless: (i) The mediation period set forth in subsection (c) of section 49-31n has expired or has otherwise terminated, whichever is earlier, and, if fewer than eight months has elapsed from the return date at the time of termination, fifteen days have elapsed since such termination, or (ii) the mediation program is not otherwise required or available. Nothing in this subdivision shall affect any motion made or any default or judgment entered on or before June 30, 2011.

      (7) With respect to foreclosure actions with a return date on or after July 1, 2011, notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any rule of law to the contrary, the mortgagee shall be permitted, on or before July 1, 2014, and following the eight-month or fifteen-day period described in subdivision (6) of this subsection, to simultaneously file, as applicable, (A) a motion for default, and (B) a motion for judgment of strict foreclosure or a motion for judgment of foreclosure by sale with respect to the mortgagor in the foreclosure action.

      (8) None of the mortgagor's or mortgagee's rights in the foreclosure action shall be waived by participation in the foreclosure mediation program.

      (P.A. 08-176, S. 16; P.A. 09-209, S. 34; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7, S. 95; P.A. 10-181, S. 1; P.A. 11-51, S. 31; 11-201, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 08-176 effective July 1, 2008; P.A. 09-209 added new Subsec. (a) which divided foreclosure mediation program into provisions applicable to foreclosures of certain mortgages with a return date from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, and provisions applicable to foreclosures of certain mortgages with a return date from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, redesignated existing Subsecs. (a) to (e) as Subsecs. (b)(1) to (b)(7), added new Subsec. (c) and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2009; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7 amended Subsec. (c)(2) by changing "not later than three days after the mortgagee" to "not later than the date three business days after the date the mortgagee", amended Subsec. (c)(4) by adding "or by the date three business days after the date on which the court receives the mortgagor's appearance and foreclosure mediation certificate forms, whichever is later, except that if", and amended Subsec. (c)(5) by adding scheduling and notice requirements for first foreclosure mediation session when court makes referral, effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 10-181 extended termination date of foreclosure mediation program to July 1, 2012, and made a technical change in Subsec. (c)(6), effective June 9, 2010; P.A. 11-51 substituted "2014" for "2012" in Subsecs. (a) and (c), inserted "under this subsection" in Subsec. (b)(4), and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-201 extended termination date of foreclosure mediation program to July 1, 2014, added provisions re actions for foreclosure of a mortgage on real property owned by a religious organization, made technical changes, added Subsec. (c)(1)(D) requiring mortgagee to attach a mediation information form and notice containing contact information for authority-approved consumer credit counseling agencies to the writ, summons and complaint and setting forth purpose of information form and requirements re instructions, amended Subsec. (c)(3) to require that notice remind mortgagor to deliver completed mediation information form and accompanying documentation in advance of required date and include materials from Department of Banking describing available community-based resources, amended Subsec. (c)(5) to extend from 15 business days to 35 days from date of referral the deadline for holding the first mediation session, amended Subsec. (c)(6) to add provisions re stay of litigation for 8 months from return date while the mediation period is ongoing, and to prohibit judgment from entering unless mediation period has expired or terminated and, if fewer than 8 months has elapsed from return date, 15 days have elapsed since termination, added Subsec. (c)(7) permitting mortgagee, following 8-month stay, to simultaneously file a motion for default and a motion for judgment of strict foreclosure or for judgment of foreclosure by sale, and redesignated existing Subsec. (c)(7) as Subsec. (c)(8), effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 49-31m. Foreclosure mediation program. The Chief Court Administrator shall establish in each judicial district a foreclosure mediation program in actions to foreclose mortgages on residential real property or real property owned by a religious organization. Such foreclosure mediation shall (1) address all issues of foreclosure, including, but not limited to, reinstatement of the mortgage, assignment of law days, assignment of sale date, restructuring of the mortgage debt and foreclosure by decree of sale, and (2) be conducted by foreclosure mediators who (A) are employed by the Judicial Branch, (B) are trained in mediation and all relevant aspects of the law, as determined by the Chief Court Administrator, (C) have knowledge of the community-based resources that are available in the judicial district in which they serve, and (D) have knowledge of the mortgage assistance programs. Such mediators may refer mortgagors who participate in the foreclosure mediation program to community-based resources when appropriate and to the mortgage assistance programs.

      (P.A. 08-176, S. 17; P.A. 11-201, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 08-176 effective June 12, 2008; P.A. 11-201 deleted program establishment date of July 1, 2008, and added reference to real property owned by a religious organization.

      Sec. 49-31n. Mediation period. Information required. Termination of program. (a) Prior to July 1, 2014: (1) Any action for the foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property with a return date during the period from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, inclusive, shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, and (2) any action for the foreclosure of a mortgage on (A) residential real property with a return date during the period from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2014, inclusive, or (B) real property owned by a religious organization with a return date during the period from October 1, 2011, to June 30, 2014, inclusive, shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.

      (b) (1) For any action for the foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property with a return date during the period from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, inclusive, the mediation period under the foreclosure mediation program established in section 49-31m shall commence when the court sends notice to each appearing party that a foreclosure mediation request form has been submitted by a mortgagor to the court, which notice shall be sent not later than three business days after the court receives a completed foreclosure mediation request form. The mediation period shall conclude not more than sixty days after the return date for the foreclosure action, except that the court may, in its discretion, for good cause shown, (A) extend, by not more than thirty days, or shorten the mediation period on its own motion or upon motion of any party, or (B) extend by not more than thirty days the mediation period upon written request of the mediator.

      (2) The first mediation session shall be held not later than fifteen business days after the court sends notice to all parties that a foreclosure mediation request form has been submitted to the court. The mortgagor and mortgagee shall appear in person at each mediation session and shall have authority to agree to a proposed settlement, except that (A) if the mortgagee is represented by counsel, the mortgagee's counsel may appear in lieu of the mortgagee to represent the mortgagee's interests at the mediation, provided such counsel has the authority to agree to a proposed settlement and the mortgagee is available (i) during the mediation session by telephone, and (ii) to participate in the mediation session by speakerphone, provided an opportunity is afforded for confidential discussions between the mortgagee and mortgagee's counsel, and (B) following the initial mediation session, if there are two or more mortgagors, only one mortgagor shall appear in person at each subsequent mediation session unless good cause is shown, provided the other mortgagors are available (i) during the mediation session, and (ii) to participate in the mediation session by speakerphone, provided an opportunity is afforded for confidential discussions among the mortgagors and such mortgagors' counsel. The court shall not award attorney's fees to any mortgagee for time spent in any mediation session if the court finds that such mortgagee has failed to comply with this subdivision, unless the court finds reasonable cause for such failure.

      (3) Not later than two days after the conclusion of the first mediation session, the mediator shall determine whether the parties will benefit from further mediation. The mediator shall file with the court a report setting forth such determination and mail a copy of such report to each appearing party. If the mediator reports to the court that the parties will not benefit from further mediation, the mediation period shall terminate automatically. If the mediator reports to the court after the first mediation session that the parties may benefit from further mediation, the mediation period shall continue.

      (4) If the mediator has submitted a report to the court that the parties may benefit from further mediation pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection, not more than two days after the conclusion of the mediation, but not later than the termination of the mediation period set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection, the mediator shall file a report with the court describing the proceedings and specifying the issues resolved, if any, and any issues not resolved pursuant to the mediation. The filing of the report shall terminate the mediation period automatically. If certain issues have not been resolved pursuant to the mediation, the mediator may refer the mortgagor to any appropriate community-based services that are available in the judicial district, but any such referral shall not cause a delay in the mediation process.

      (5) The Chief Court Administrator shall establish policies and procedures to implement this subsection. Such policies and procedures shall, at a minimum, provide that the mediator shall advise the mortgagor at the first mediation session required by subdivision (2) of this subsection that: (A) Such mediation does not suspend the mortgagor's obligation to respond to the foreclosure action; and (B) a judgment of strict foreclosure or foreclosure by sale may cause the mortgagor to lose the residential real property to foreclosure.

      (6) In no event shall any determination issued by a mediator under this program form the basis of an appeal of any foreclosure judgment.

      (7) Foreclosure mediation request forms shall not be accepted by the court under this subsection on or after July 1, 2012, and the foreclosure mediation program shall terminate when all mediation has concluded with respect to any applications submitted to the court prior to July 1, 2014.

      (8) At any time during the mediation period, the mediator may refer a mortgagor who is the owner-occupant of one-to-four family residential real property to the mortgage assistance programs, except that any such referral shall not prevent a mortgagee from proceeding to judgment when the conditions specified in subdivision (6) of subsection (b) of section 49-31l have been satisfied.

      (c) (1) For any action for the foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property with a return date during the period from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2014, inclusive, or for any action for the foreclosure of a mortgage on real property owned by a religious organization with a return date during the period from October 1, 2011, to June 30, 2014, inclusive, the mediation period under the foreclosure mediation program established in section 49-31m shall commence when the court sends notice to each appearing party scheduling the first foreclosure mediation session. The mediation period shall conclude not later than the date sixty days after the return date for the foreclosure action, except that the court may, in its discretion, for good cause shown, (A) extend, by not more than thirty days, or shorten the mediation period on its own motion or upon motion of any party, or (B) extend by not more than thirty days the mediation period upon written request of the mediator.

      (2) The first mediation session shall be held not later than fifteen business days after the court sends notice to each appearing party in accordance with subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of section 49-31l. On and after October 1, 2011, the first mediation session shall be held not later than thirty-five days after the court sends notice to each appearing party in accordance with subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of this section. On and after October 1, 2011, not later than fifteen business days prior to the date of the initial mediation session, the mortgagee shall deliver to the mortgagor (A) an account history identifying all credits and debits assessed to the loan account in the immediately preceding twelve-month period, and (B) the name, business mailing address, electronic mail address, facsimile number and direct telephone number of an individual able to process requests to refinance or modify the mortgage loan at issue or otherwise take action to avoid foreclosure of the mortgage. Any updates to the information provided pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall be provided reasonably promptly to the mortgagor and such mortgagor's counsel. The mortgagor and mortgagee shall appear in person at each mediation session and shall have authority to agree to a proposed settlement, except that (i) if the mortgagee is represented by counsel, the mortgagee's counsel may appear in lieu of the mortgagee to represent the mortgagee's interests at the mediation, provided such counsel has the authority to agree to a proposed settlement and the mortgagee is available (I) during the mediation session by telephone, and (II) to participate in the mediation session by speakerphone, provided an opportunity is afforded for confidential discussions between the mortgagee and mortgagee's counsel, and (ii) following the initial mediation session, if there are two or more mortgagors, only one mortgagor shall appear in person at each subsequent mediation session unless good cause is shown, provided the other mortgagors are available (I) during the mediation session, and (II) to participate in the mediation session by speakerphone, provided an opportunity is afforded for confidential discussions among the mortgagors and such mortgagors' counsel. The court shall not award attorney's fees to any mortgagee for time spent in any mediation session if the court finds that such mortgagee has failed to comply with this subdivision, unless the court finds reasonable cause for such failure.

      (3) Not later than two days after the conclusion of the first mediation session, the mediator shall determine whether the parties will benefit from further mediation. The mediator shall file with the court a report setting forth such determination and mail a copy of such report to each appearing party. If the mediator reports to the court that the parties will not benefit from further mediation, the mediation period shall terminate automatically. If the mediator reports to the court after the first mediation session that the parties may benefit from further mediation, the mediation period shall continue. Either party's failure to comply with the documentation requirements of this section or section 49-31l shall not be grounds for terminating the mediation period before a second mediation session is conducted.

      (4) If the mediator has submitted a report to the court that the parties may benefit from further mediation pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection, not more than two days after the conclusion of the mediation, but not later than the termination of the mediation period set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection, the mediator shall file a report with the court describing the proceedings and specifying the issues resolved, if any, and any issues not resolved pursuant to the mediation. The filing of the report shall terminate the mediation period automatically. If certain issues have not been resolved pursuant to the mediation, the mediator may refer the mortgagor to any appropriate community-based services that are available in the judicial district, but any such referral shall not cause a delay in the mediation process.

      (5) The Chief Court Administrator shall establish policies and procedures to implement this subsection. Such policies and procedures shall, at a minimum, provide that the mediator shall advise the mortgagor at the first mediation session required by subdivision (2) of this subsection that: (A) Such mediation does not suspend the mortgagor's obligation to respond to the foreclosure action beyond the limited time frame described in subdivision (6) of subsection (c) of section 49-31l; and (B) a judgment of strict foreclosure or foreclosure by sale may cause the mortgagor to lose the residential real property or real property owned by a religious organization to foreclosure.

      (6) In no event shall any determination issued by a mediator under this program form the basis of an appeal of any foreclosure judgment.

      (7) The foreclosure mediation program shall terminate when all mediation has concluded with respect to any foreclosure action with a return date during the period from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2014, inclusive.

      (8) At any time during the mediation period, the mediator may refer a mortgagor who is the owner-occupant of one-to-four family residential real property to the mortgage assistance programs, except that any such referral shall not prevent a mortgagee from proceeding to judgment when the conditions specified in subdivision (6) of subsection (c) of section 49-31l have been satisfied.

      (P.A. 08-176, S. 18; Nov. 24 Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-2, S. 8; P.A. 09-209, S. 35; P.A. 10-181, S. 2; P.A. 11-51, S. 32; 11-201, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 08-176 effective July 1, 2008; Nov. 24 Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-2 amended Subsec. (a) to designate existing provision re extension of mediation period as Subdiv. (1), increase extension period therein from ten to thirty days, add Subdiv. (2) re extension of mediation period by not more than thirty days upon written request of the mediator and make technical changes, and amended Subsec. (b) to extend deadline for first mediation session from ten to fifteen business days after court notice, effective November 25, 2008; P.A. 09-209 added new Subsec. (a) re applicable foreclosure mediation period for foreclosures of certain mortgages with a return date from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, and from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, redesignated existing Subsecs. (a) to (h) as Subsecs. (b)(1) to (b)(8), added provision re award of attorney's fees in redesignated Subsec. (b)(2), deleted provision re rules of court in redesignated Subsec. (b)(5), added new Subsec. (c) and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 10-181 extended termination date of foreclosure mediation program to July 1, 2012, and amended Subsecs. (b)(2) and (c)(2) by eliminating option of mortgagee being available during mediation session by electronic means and making a technical change, effective June 9, 2010; P.A. 11-51 substituted "2014" for "2012" in Subsecs. (a), (b)(7) and (c)(1) and (7), inserted "under this subsection" in Subsec. (b)(7), and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-201 extended termination date of foreclosure mediation program to July 1, 2014, added provisions re actions for foreclosure of a mortgage on real property owned by a religious organization, amended Subsecs. (b)(2) and (c)(2) to require mortgagee to be available to participate by speakerphone, provided opportunity is afforded for confidential discussions between mortgagee and mortgagee's counsel and, following initial mediation session, if there are two or more mortgagors, to require only one mortgagor to appear in person at each subsequent session, provided other mortgagors are available during session and to participate by speakerphone and opportunity is afforded for confidential discussions among mortgagors and mortgagors' counsel, amended Subsecs. (b)(8) and (c)(8) to provide that mediator may refer mortgagor who is owner-occupant of one-to-four family residential real property to mortgage assistance programs, amended Subsec. (c)(2) to require first mediation session to be held not later than 35 days after court sends notice and the delivery to mortgagor of mortgagee's account history, contact information of individual able to process refinance or modification requests and reasonably prompt updates to information provided, amended Subsec. (c)(3) to add provision re failure to comply with documentation requirements not to be grounds for termination of mediation period before a second mediation is conducted, and amended Subsec. (c)(5) to include reference to limited time frame described in Sec. 49-31l(c)(6), effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 49-31p. Successor in interest in foreclosed property secured by federally-related mortgage loan. Assumption of interest limited. Definitions. (a) In the case of any foreclosure on a federally-related mortgage loan or on any dwelling or residential real property that has a return date on or after July 13, 2011, but not later than December 31, 2017, any immediate successor in interest in such property pursuant to the foreclosure shall assume such interest subject to (1) the provision, by such successor in interest, of a notice to vacate to any bona fide tenant not less than ninety days before the effective date of such notice; and (2) the rights of any bona fide tenant, as of the date absolute title vests in such successor in interest (A) under any bona fide lease entered into before such date to occupy the premises until the end of the remaining term of the lease, except that a successor in interest may terminate a lease effective on the date of sale of the unit to a purchaser who will occupy the unit as a primary residence, subject to the receipt by the tenant of the ninety-day notice under subdivision (1) of this subsection; or (B) without a lease or with a lease terminable at will under state law, subject to the receipt by the tenant of the ninety-day notice under subdivision (1) of this subsection, except that nothing under this section shall affect the requirements for termination of any federally subsidized or state-subsidized tenancy or of any state or local law that provides longer time periods or other additional protections for tenants.

      (b) For purposes of this section, a lease or tenancy shall be considered bona fide only if (1) the mortgagor or the child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor under the contract is not the tenant, (2) the lease or tenancy was the result of an arms-length transaction, and (3) the lease or tenancy requires the receipt of rent that is not substantially less than fair market rent for the property or the unit's rent is reduced or subsidized due to a federal, state or local subsidy.

      (c) For purposes of this section, the term "federally-related mortgage loan" has the same meaning as in 12 USC 2602(1), the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974. For purposes of this section, the date of a notice of foreclosure shall be deemed to be the date on which complete title to a property is transferred to a successor entity or person as a result of an order of a court or pursuant to provisions in a mortgage, deed of trust or security deed.

      (P.A. 11-201, S. 7.)

      History: P.A. 11-201 effective July 13, 2011.

      Sec. 49-31q. Successor in interest in foreclosed property. Termination of tenant lease and assumption of interest subject to tenant lease. (a) On or before December 31, 2017, in the case of an owner who is an immediate successor in interest pursuant to foreclosure during the term of a lease, vacating the property prior to sale shall not constitute other good cause for terminating the lease of a tenant who is a recipient of assistance under 42 USC 1437f(o), the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, except that the owner may terminate the tenancy effective on the date of transfer of the unit to the owner if the owner (1) will occupy the unit as a primary residence, and (2) has provided the tenant a notice to vacate at least ninety days before the effective date of such notice.

      (b) On or before December 31, 2017, in the case of any foreclosure on any federally-related mortgage loan, as that term is defined in 12 USC 2602(1), the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974, or on any residential real property in which a recipient of assistance under 42 USC 1437(o), the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, resides, the immediate successor in interest in such property pursuant to the foreclosure shall assume such interest subject to the lease between the prior owner and the tenant and to the housing assistance payments contract between the prior owner and the public housing agency for the occupied unit, except that this provision and the provisions related to foreclosure in subsection (a) of this section shall not affect any state or local law that provides longer time periods or other additional protections for tenants.

      (P.A. 11-201, S. 8.)

      History: P.A. 11-201 effective July 13, 2011.