House Passes Bill to Improve Veterans’ Services, Foreclosures

Editor's note: The following is a press release:

State Representative William C. Galvin (D-Canton) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing two significant pieces of legislation. The first is the Valor Bill, which works to improve the quality of life for veterans in the Commonwealth. The second bill deals with home foreclosures by putting in place a process to prevent foreclosures by encouraging cooperation between homeowners and banks.

The Valor Bill will require the Board of Education to adopt a procedure to make school moves easier on students, which is a major problem that military families face when transferring education credits from school to school as a result of forced military relocations.  This bill also expands services offered through the Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund, assists military families in transitioning in and out of Massachusetts, and increases the efficiency of veterans’ service officers in our communities, which aims to improve the overall quality of life for our veterans and their families.

Each community in Massachusetts is already required to have a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), but this legislation sets up a commission to study and make assessments on the certification process for veterans’ service officers. The commission will also be responsible for developing an improved training and certification process for VSO’s. In addition, the bill increases the efficiency of the Welcome Home Bill, allows district courts to consider establishing diversion programs for veterans, and requires that only one of veteran status can hold the position of Commissioner of Veterans’ Services.

The foreclosure legislation prohibits lenders from foreclosing without proper documentation, including written proof that the foreclosing party currently holds the mortgage.  In cases where borrowers hold “certain mortgage loans,” the legislation requires lenders to perform an assessment of the borrower’s financial standing and to consider the value of a loan modification as opposed to the anticipated recovery the lender would gain from foreclosure. If the loan, as modified, is worth more than the amount the lender expects to recover after foreclosure, the lender must offer a loan modification to the borrower.

“I am pleased with these two pieces of legislation.  If we can help make life easier for active members of the military, military families, and veterans by implementing these changes, then I am in full support.  In terms of the foreclosure bill, I think it a solid piece of legislation, which helps families that really need it; particularly those who are victims of predatory lending practices,” stated Representative Galvin.