HI HB132

Expands mandatory mortgage foreclosure dispute resolution program to include judicial foreclosures filed under part IA of chapter 667, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in addition to existing nonjudicial foreclosures.

Requires mortgagees to participate in dispute resolution at the mortgagor's election prior to filing a judicial foreclosure action for residential property where the mortgagor is an owner-occupant.

Applies dispute resolution requirements to judicial foreclosure actions filed prior to December 1, 2015, that have not yet had an initial court hearing, requiring mortgagees to comply with the program or face suspension of proceedings.

Establishes procedures for mortgagees to serve notice of dispute resolution availability and file foreclosure notices with the department of commerce and consumer affairs, with a $250 filing fee deposited into the mortgage foreclosure dispute resolution special fund.

Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2015-2016 and from the special fund for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 to support program implementation, including hiring of staff; effective December 1, 2015.