SACRAMENTO, CA (AP) - Democrats in the California Legislature are preparing to advance bills that are designed to limit the run-around some homeowners have experienced with lenders and to let them sue under some circumstances.
The legislation expands on a recent nationwide bank settlement over home foreclosures in one of the states hit hardest by the mortgage crisis.
Sen. Noreen Evans, chairwoman of a committee crafting the legislation, says she hopes to have the bills ready this week so they can be considered after Friday's deadline to pass a budget.
Opponents are most concerned that letting borrowers sue bankers could delay legitimate foreclosures.
The package also would require lenders to provide a single point of contact for borrowers and bar lenders from filing notices of default while they are also considering alternatives to foreclosures.
The Associated Press