Christopher's Law
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in senate (Nov 30, 2017)
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 amendsthe 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 happenedNov 30, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in SenateNov 30, 2017
- Nov 30, 2017IntroReferral
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee - Nov 30, 2017IntroReferral10000
Introduced in Senate