H.B. 661 - Mortgage Foreclosures

• Adds definitions to Hawaii law for "active duty," "military service," "period of military service," and "service member" related to armed forces and National Guard members.

• Requires circuit courts to stay foreclosure proceedings for up to six months after a service member's military service ends, or issue equitable orders, if the service member entered the mortgage before active duty or is deployed overseas and military service materially affects ability to pay.

• Invalidates power of sale foreclosures on service member mortgages during or within six months after military service ends, unless the foreclosure was court-ordered.

• Imposes a $2,000 civil fine on any person who knowingly forecloses or attempts to foreclose in violation of the power of sale protections, enforceable by the attorney general.

• Takes effect upon approval and does not affect rights, penalties, or proceedings that began before enactment.