HI SCR170

Request Hawaii State Judiciary to provide mortgage foreclosure mediation services for homeowners and lenders to help avoid foreclosure through negotiated payment arrangements

Direct Judiciary to review foreclosure mediation programs in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Ohio as models for potential Hawaii implementation

Instruct Judiciary to assess feasibility and costs of establishing either an independent foreclosure mediation program or expanding the existing Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution to include foreclosure mediation services

Require Judiciary to submit findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2012 Regular Session convenes

Addresses Hawaii's foreclosure crisis with 7,535 properties in foreclosure and 12,182 delinquent mortgages as of 2009, plus 286.4 percent increase in foreclosures between January 2009 and January 2010