HI HB2356

Expands mandatory mortgage foreclosure dispute resolution to require mortgagees to participate in mediation at the mortgagor's election before filing judicial foreclosure actions on owner-occupied residential property.

Applies dispute resolution requirements to judicial foreclosure actions filed before this Act's effective date that have not yet had an initial court hearing, with mortgagees required to comply within a specified timeframe.

Requires mortgagees to serve notice of dispute resolution availability to owner-occupants before filing judicial foreclosure actions, with owner-occupants having 30 days to elect participation.

Establishes that violations of dispute resolution requirements for judicial foreclosures constitute unfair or deceptive acts under Hawaii's consumer protection law, with penalties up to $1,500.

Defines "owner-occupant" to include Hawaiian home lands trust homestead beneficiaries and requires property to have been mortgagor's primary residence for at least 200 days before foreclosure proceedings begin.