Substitute Senate Bill No. 891 - Summary

• Extends the Ezequiel Santiago Foreclosure Mediation Program deadline from June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2029 for residential foreclosures and religious organization properties

• Requires mortgagees to provide notice to mortgagors of foreclosure mediation availability and allows mortgagors 15 days to request mediation; establishes premediation and mediation session procedures with court-assigned mediators

• Expands emergency mortgage assistance to include emergency lien assistance payments for homeowners facing tax, water, assessment, or usage charge liens, funded by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority

• Allows virtual mediation participation and permits mediators to conduct sessions on virtual platforms when appropriate; establishes reporting requirements for mediators on party compliance and likelihood of settlement

• Changes terminology throughout from "mortgagor" to "homeowner who is a mortgagor" to clarify applicability to both mortgage and lien assistance programs