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Responsible Lending Act

Introduced: March 15, 2005 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 27, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H5182)
May 13, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.
May 13, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
Mar 15, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Mar 15, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Responsible Lending Act - Mortgage Lending Improvements and Uniform National Standards Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to define higher-cost mortgage.

Sets forth related provisions with respect to: (1) requirements for higher-cost mortgages; (2) dispute and error resolution; (3) damages, rescission and liability; (4) State law coordination; (5) State enforcement authority; (6) prepayment penalties and late charges; and (7) consumer counseling.

Expanding Housing Opportunities Through Education and Counseling Act - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish, in the Office of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Office of Housing Counseling. Directs the Office to carry out HUD homeownership and rental counseling functions, including related research, grant administration, public outreach, and development of policy and performance measures.

Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to direct the Secretary to: (1) establish homeownership and rental counseling procedures, and a related a toll-free telephone number and World Wide Web site; (2) certify computer software programs for consumer evaluation of residential mortgage loans; (3) establish a housing counseling multimedia outreach program for vulnerable populations; (4) assist States, local government, and non-profit organizations with consumer education programs about mortgage, refinancing, home equity, or home repair loans; and (5) make grants for State, local government, and nonprofit organization housing counseling assistance.

Requires organizations to use HUD-certified counselors in order to qualify for specified HUD assistance.

Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to: (1) revise the mortgage information booklet; (2) set forth prohibitions on a servicer of a federally related mortgage; and (3) prohibit a creditor from providing a higher-cost mortgage to any consumer without first obtaining a written appraisal of the property.

Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a creditor in certain transactions secured by a residence to establish an escrow or impound account for taxes and hazard insurance payments.

Directs: (1) the Secretary to conduct studies of mortgage servicing fraud, and home loan default and foreclosures; and (2) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an appraisal process study.

Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a national mortgage broker database; and (2) Federal mortgage broker requirements. Sets forth uniform State mortgage broker law guidelines, and states that Federal requirements shall apply to those States that have not enacted uniform laws.

Sets forth liability provisions for intentional unlawful disclosures, with a good faith exception.

What's happening now June 27, 2005

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H5182)

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1295: Responsible Lending Act. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1295/
MLA
"H.R. 1295: Responsible Lending Act." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1295/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1295, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1295/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1295: Responsible Lending Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1295/)
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