Christopher's Law
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in house (Sep 10, 2015)
Christopher Bryski Student Loan Protection Act or Christopher's Law
This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a private student loan lender to disclose clearly and conspicuously in writing a cosigner's obligations regarding a private student loan. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) must publish a model form for such disclosure.
The bill prohibits a private student loan lender from taking an adverse action against a borrower (e.g., placing a loan in default or accelerating a loan balance) upon a cosigner's death, disability, or bankruptcy. It also prohibits adverse actions against a cosigner for a borrower's death, disability, or bankruptcy.
The CFPB must establish and a private student loan lender must disclose criteria for releasing a cosigner from a private student loan obligation.
A private student loan lender must also:
- provide prompt notice of a cosigner's release;
- allow a borrower to designate a legal representative to make decisions upon the death or disability of such borrower; and
- ensure a borrower and cosigner receive comprehensive counseling on the terms, conditions, and responsibilities of a private student loan.
Additionally, this bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the required elements of entrance counseling for a federal student loan borrower to include:
- conditions for loan discharge upon the death or disability of a borrower,
- options for loan repayment and forgiveness upon the death or disability of a borrower or cosigner, and
- obligations of a borrower or cosigner upon the death or disability of a borrower.
It requires clear and conspicuous disclosure of a student's option to designate a legal representative to make decisions about a federal student loan upon such student's death or disability.
What just happenedMar 23, 2016
Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in HouseSep 10, 2015
- Mar 23, 2016Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcomittee - Sep 10, 2015IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Education and the Workforce Committee - Sep 10, 2015IntroReferralH11100-A
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sep 10, 2015IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Financial Services Committee - Sep 10, 2015IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- Sep 10, 2015IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House