LCO 1 of 44 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 1257 January Session, 2025 AN ACT CONCERNING CONSUMER CREDIT AND COMMERCIAL FINANCING. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Subsection (c) of section 36a-492 of the general statutes is 1 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 2 1, 2025): 3 (c) The surety company shall have the right to cancel the bond at any 4 time by a written notice to the principal stating the date cancellation 5 shall take effect, provided the surety company notifies the 6 commissioner in writing not less than thirty days prior to the effective 7 date of cancellation. [If the bond is issued electronically on the system,] 8 Such written notice of cancellation [may] shall be provided by the surety 9 company to the principal and the commissioner through the system at 10 least thirty days prior to the date of cancellation. [Any notice of 11 cancellation not provided through the system shall be sent by certified 12 mail to the principal and the commissioner at least thirty days prior to 13 the date of cancellation.] A surety bond shall not be cancelled unless the 14 surety company notifies the commissioner in writing not less than thirty 15 days prior to the effective date of cancellation. After receipt of such 16 notification from the surety company, the commissioner shall give 17 written notice to the principal of the date such bond cancellation shall 18 take effect and such notice shall be deemed notice to each mortgage loan 19 originator licensee sponsored by such principal. The commissioner shall 20 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 2 of 44 automatically suspend the licenses of a mortgage lender, mortgage 21 correspondent lender or mortgage broker on such date and inactivate 22 the licenses of the mortgage loan originators sponsored by such lender, 23 correspondent lender or broker. In the case of a cancellation of an 24 exempt registrant's bond, the commissioner shall inactivate the licenses 25 of the mortgage loan originators sponsored by such exempt registrant. 26 No automatic suspension or inactivation shall occur if, prior to the date 27 that the bond cancellation shall take effect, (1) the principal submits a 28 letter of reinstatement of the bond from the surety company or a new 29 bond, (2) the mortgage lender, mortgage correspondent lender or 30 mortgage broker licensee has ceased business and has surrendered all 31 licenses in accordance with subsection (a) of section 36a-490, or (3) in the 32 case of a mortgage loan originator licensee, the sponsorship with the 33 mortgage lender, mortgage correspondent lender or mortgage broker 34 who was automatically suspended pursuant to this section or, with the 35 exempt registrant who failed to provide the bond required by this 36 section, has been terminated and a new sponsor has been requested and 37 approved. After a mortgage lender, mortgage correspondent lender or 38 mortgage broker license has been automatically suspended pursuant to 39 this section, the commissioner shall (A) give the licensee notice of the 40 automatic suspension, pending proceedings for revocation or refusal to 41 renew pursuant to section 36a-494 and an opportunity for a hearing on 42 such action in accordance with section 36a-51, as amended by this act, 43 and (B) require such licensee to take or refrain from taking such action 44 as the commissioner deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this 45 section. The commissioner may provide information to an exempt 46 registrant concerning actions taken by the commissioner pursuant to 47 this subsection against any mortgage loan originator licensee that was 48 sponsored and bonded by such exempt registrant. 49 Sec. 2. Subsection (c) of section 36a-602 of the general statutes is 50 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 51 1, 2025): 52 (c) The surety company may cancel the bond at any time by a written 53 notice to the licensee and the commissioner, stating the date cancellation 54 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 3 of 44 shall take effect. [If the bond is issued electronically on the system, such] 55 Such written notice [may] shall be provided by the surety company to 56 the licensee and the commissioner through the system at least thirty 57 days prior to the date of cancellation. [Any notice of cancellation not 58 provided through the system shall be sent by certified mail to the 59 licensee and the commissioner at least thirty days prior to the date of 60 cancellation.] A surety bond shall not be cancelled unless the surety 61 company notifies the commissioner in writing not less than thirty days 62 prior to the effective date of cancellation. After receipt of such 63 notification from the surety company, the commissioner shall give 64 written notice to the licensee of the date such bond cancellation shall 65 take effect. The commissioner shall automatically suspend the license on 66 such date, unless the licensee, prior to such date, submits (1) a letter of 67 reinstatement of the bond from the surety company, (2) a new bond, (3) 68 evidence that all of the principal sum of such surety bond has been 69 invested as provided in subsection (d) of this section, (4) a new bond 70 that replaces the surety bond in part and evidence that the remaining 71 part of the principal sum of such surety bond has been invested as 72 provided in subsection (d) of this section, or (5) evidence that the 73 licensee has ceased business and has surrendered the license. After a 74 license has been automatically suspended, the commissioner shall (A) 75 give the licensee notice of the automatic suspension pending 76 proceedings for revocation or refusal to renew such license and an 77 opportunity for a hearing on such actions in accordance with section 78 36a-51, as amended by this act, and (B) require the licensee to take or 79 refrain from taking such action as the commissioner deems necessary to 80 effectuate the purposes of this section. 81 Sec. 3. Subsection (b) of section 36a-664 of the general statutes is 82 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 83 1, 2025): 84 (b) The surety shall have the right to cancel any bond filed under 85 subsection (a) of this section at any time by a written notice to the 86 licensee and the commissioner, stating the date cancellation shall take 87 effect. [If such bond is issued electronically on the system,] Such written 88 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 4 of 44 notice of cancellation [may] shall be provided by the surety to the 89 principal and the commissioner through the system at least thirty days 90 prior to the date of cancellation. [Any notice of cancellation not provided 91 through the system shall be sent by certified mail to the licensee and the 92 commissioner at least thirty days prior to the date of cancellation.] No 93 such bond shall be cancelled unless the surety notifies the commissioner 94 in writing not less than thirty days prior to the effective date of 95 cancellation. After receipt of such notification from the surety, the 96 commissioner shall give written notice to the licensee of the date such 97 bond cancellation shall take effect. The commissioner shall 98 automatically suspend the license on such date, unless prior to such date 99 the licensee submits a letter of reinstatement of the bond from the surety 100 or a new bond or the licensee has surrendered the license. After a license 101 has been automatically suspended, the commissioner shall (1) give the 102 licensee notice of the automatic suspension pending proceedings for 103 revocation or refusal to renew and an opportunity for a hearing on such 104 actions in accordance with section 36a-51, as amended by this act, and 105 (2) require the licensee to take or refrain from taking such action as the 106 commissioner deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this 107 section. 108 Sec. 4. Subsection (c) of section 36a-671d of the general statutes is 109 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 110 1, 2025): 111 (c) The surety shall have the right to cancel any bond written or 112 issued under subsection (a) of this section at any time by a written notice 113 to the debt negotiation licensee and the commissioner stating the date 114 cancellation shall take effect. [If such bond is issued electronically on the 115 system,] Such written notice of cancellation [may] shall be provided by 116 the surety to the licensee and the commissioner through the system at 117 least thirty days prior to the date of cancellation. [Any notice of 118 cancellation not provided through the system shall be sent by certified 119 mail to the licensee and the commissioner at least thirty days prior to 120 the date of cancellation.] No such bond shall be cancelled unless the 121 surety notifies the commissioner in writing not less than thirty days 122 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 5 of 44 prior to the effective date of cancellation. After receipt of such 123 notification from the surety, the commissioner shall give written notice 124 to the debt negotiation licensee of the date such bond cancellation shall 125 take effect. The commissioner shall automatically suspend the licenses 126 of the debt negotiation licensee on such date and inactivate the license 127 of any sponsored mortgage loan originator, unless prior to such date the 128 debt negotiation licensee submits a letter of reinstatement of the bond 129 from the surety or a new bond, surrenders all licenses or, in the case of 130 a mortgage loan originator sponsored by a debt negotiation licensee, the 131 sponsorship has been terminated and a new sponsor has been requested 132 and approved. After a license has been automatically suspended, the 133 commissioner shall (1) give the debt negotiation licensee notice of the 134 automatic suspension pending proceedings for revocation or refusal to 135 renew and an opportunity for a hearing on such actions in accordance 136 with section 36a-51, as amended by this act, and (2) require the debt 137 negotiation licensee to take or refrain from taking such action as the 138 commissioner deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this 139 section. 140 Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 36a-802 of the general statutes is 141 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 142 1, 2025): 143 (b) The surety company shall have the right to cancel the bond at any 144 time by a written notice to the licensee and the commissioner stating the 145 date cancellation shall take effect. [If the bond is issued electronically on 146 the system,] Such written notice of cancellation [may] shall be provided 147 by the surety company to the licensee and the commissioner through 148 the system at least thirty days prior to the date of cancellation. [Any 149 notice of cancellation not provided through the system shall be sent by 150 certified mail to the licensee and the commissioner at least thirty days 151 prior to the date of cancellation.] A surety bond shall not be cancelled 152 unless the surety company notifies the commissioner in writing not less 153 than thirty days prior to the effective date of cancellation. After receipt 154 of such notification from the surety company, the commissioner shall 155 give written notice to the licensee of the date such bond cancellation 156 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 6 of 44 shall take effect. The commissioner shall automatically suspend the 157 license on such date, unless the licensee prior to such date submits a 158 letter of reinstatement of the bond from the surety company or a new 159 bond or the licensee has ceased business and has surrendered its license. 160 After a license has been automatically suspended, the commissioner 161 shall (1) give the licensee notice of the automatic suspension pending 162 proceedings for revocation or refusal to renew and an opportunity for a 163 hearing on such actions in accordance with section 36a-51, as amended 164 by this act, and (2) require the licensee to take or refrain from taking 165 such action as the commissioner deems necessary to effectuate the 166 purposes of this section. 167 Sec. 6. Subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 36a-490 of the 168 general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 169 thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 170 (2) No licensee may use any name other than its legal name or a 171 fictitious name approved by the commissioner, provided such licensee 172 may not use its legal name if the commissioner disapproves use of such 173 name. No licensee shall use any name or address other than the name 174 and address specified on the license issued by the commissioner. A 175 mortgage lender, mortgage correspondent lender, mortgage broker or 176 lead generator licensee may change the name of the licensee or address 177 of the office specified on the most recent filing with the system if (A) at 178 least thirty calendar days prior to such change, the licensee files such 179 change with the system and, in the case of a [main or branch office] 180 change to the legal name of the licensee, provides, directly to the 181 commissioner, a bond rider [or endorsement, or addendum, as 182 applicable,] to the surety bond on file with the commissioner that 183 reflects the new legal name [or address of the main or branch office] of 184 the licensee, and (B) the commissioner does not disapprove such change, 185 in writing, or request further information within such thirty-day period. 186 Sec. 7. Subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 36a-598 of the 187 general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 188 thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 189 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 7 of 44 (2) No licensee may use any name other than its legal name or a 190 fictitious name approved by the commissioner, provided such licensee 191 may not use its legal name if the commissioner disapproves use of such 192 name. No licensee shall use any name or address other than the name 193 and address specified on the license issued by the commissioner. A 194 licensee may change the name of the licensee or the address of the office 195 specified on the most recent filing with the system if, (A) at least thirty 196 calendar days prior to such change, the licensee files such change with 197 the system and, in the case of a change to the legal name of the licensee, 198 provides a bond rider [, endorsement or addendum, as applicable,] to 199 the surety bond on file with the commissioner that reflects the new legal 200 name [or address] of the licensee, and (B) the commissioner does not 201 disapprove such change, in writing, or request further information 202 within such thirty-day period. 203 Sec. 8. Subsection (b) of section 36a-658 of the general statutes is 204 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 205 1, 2025): 206 (b) No licensee shall use any name or address other than the name 207 and address stated on the license issued by the commissioner. No 208 licensee may use any name other than its legal name or a fictitious name 209 approved by the commissioner, provided such licensee may not use its 210 legal name if the commissioner disapproves use of such name. A 211 licensee may change the name of the licensee or address of the office 212 specified on the most recent filing with the system if (1) at least thirty 213 calendar days prior to such change, the licensee files such change with 214 the system and, in the case of a change to the legal name of the licensee, 215 provides to the commissioner a bond rider [, endorsement or 216 addendum, as applicable;] to the surety bond on file with the 217 commissioner that reflects the new legal name of the licensee, and (2) 218 the commissioner does not disapprove such change, in writing, or 219 request further information from the licensee within such thirty-day 220 period. 221 Sec. 9. Subsection (i) of section 36a-671 of the general statutes is 222 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 8 of 44 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 223 1, 2025): 224 (i) No licensee may use any name other than its legal name or a 225 fictitious name approved by the commissioner, provided such licensee 226 may not use its legal name if the commissioner disapproves use of such 227 name. No licensee shall use any name or address other than the name 228 and address specified on the license issued by the commissioner. A 229 licensee may change the name of the licensee or the address of the office 230 specified on the most recent filing with the system if [,] (1) at least thirty 231 calendar days prior to such change, the licensee files such change with 232 the system and, in the case of a change to the legal name of the licensee, 233 provides to the commissioner a bond rider, endorsement or addendum, 234 as applicable, to the surety bond on file with the commissioner that 235 reflects the new legal name of the licensee, and (2) the commissioner 236 does not disapprove such change, in writing, or request further 237 information within such thirty-day period. 238 Sec. 10. Subsection (b) of section 36a-719a of the general statutes is 239 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 240 1, 2025): 241 (b) No licensee may use any name other than its legal name or a 242 fictitious name approved by the commissioner, provided such licensee 243 may not use its legal name if the commissioner disapproves use of such 244 name. No licensee shall use any name or address other than the name 245 and address stated on the license issued by the commissioner. A 246 mortgage servicer licensee may change the name of the licensee or 247 address of any office specified on the most recent filing with the system 248 if (1) at least thirty calendar days prior to such change, the licensee files 249 such change with the system and, in the case of a [main office or branch 250 office] change to the legal name of the licensee, provides the 251 commissioner a bond rider [or endorsement, or addendum, as 252 applicable, to any] to the surety bond [or evidence of errors and 253 omissions coverage] on file with the commissioner that reflects the new 254 legal name [or address of the main office or branch office;] of the 255 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 9 of 44 licensee, and (2) the commissioner does not disapprove such change, in 256 writing, or request further information within such thirty-day period. 257 Sec. 11. Subsection (i) of section 36a-801 of the general statutes is 258 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 259 1, 2025): 260 (i) No person licensed to act within this state as a consumer collection 261 agency shall do so under any other name or at any other place of 262 business than that named in the license. No licensee may use any name 263 other than its legal name or a fictitious name approved by the 264 commissioner, provided such licensee may not use its legal name if the 265 commissioner disapproves use of such name. A licensee may change the 266 name of the licensee or address of the office specified on the most recent 267 filing with the system if, at least thirty calendar days prior to such 268 change, (1) the licensee files such change with the system and, in the 269 case of a change to the legal name of the licensee, provides a bond rider 270 [, endorsement or addendum, as applicable,] to the surety bond on file 271 with the commissioner that reflects the new legal name [or address] of 272 the licensee, and (2) the commissioner does not disapprove such change, 273 in writing, or request further information from the licensee within such 274 thirty-day period. Not more than one place of business shall be 275 maintained under the same license but the commissioner may issue 276 more than one license to the same licensee upon compliance with the 277 provisions of sections 36a-800 to 36a-814, inclusive, as to each new 278 licensee. A license shall not be transferable or assignable. Any change in 279 any control person of the licensee, except a change of a director, general 280 partner or executive officer that is not the result of an acquisition or 281 change of control of the licensee, shall be the subject of an advance 282 change notice filed on the system at least thirty days prior to the effective 283 date of such change and no such change shall occur without the 284 commissioner's approval. For purposes of this section, "change of 285 control" means any change causing the majority ownership, voting 286 rights or control of a licensee to be held by a different control person or 287 group of control persons. The commissioner may automatically suspend 288 a license for any violation of this subsection. After a license has been 289 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 10 of 44 automatically suspended pursuant to this section, the commissioner 290 shall (A) give the licensee notice of the automatic suspension, pending 291 proceedings for revocation or refusal to renew pursuant to section 36a-292 804 and an opportunity for a hearing on such action in accordance with 293 section 36a-51, as amended by this act, and (B) require such licensee to 294 take or refrain from taking such action as the commissioner deems 295 necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section. 296 Sec. 12. Subdivision (2) of section 36a-535 of the general statutes is 297 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 298 1, 2025): 299 (2) "Sales finance company" means any person engaging in this state 300 in the business, in whole or in part, of (A) acquiring retail installment 301 contracts or installment loan contracts from the holders thereof, by 302 purchase, discount or pledge, or by loan or advance to the holder of 303 either on the security thereof, or otherwise, or (B) receiving payments, 304 [of principal and interest] including, but not limited to, principal, 305 interest or fees, from a retail buyer [under] in connection with a retail 306 installment contract or installment loan contract. "Sales finance 307 company" does not include a bank, out-of-state bank, Connecticut credit 308 union, federal credit union, or out-of-state credit union, if so engaged; 309 Sec. 13. Section 36a-718 of the general statutes is repealed and the 310 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 311 (a) On and after January 1, 2015, no person shall act as a mortgage 312 servicer, directly or indirectly, without first obtaining a license under 313 section 36a-719, as amended by this act, from the commissioner for its 314 main office and for each branch office where such business is conducted, 315 unless such person is exempt from licensure pursuant to subsection (b) 316 of this section. Any activity subject to licensure pursuant to sections 36a-317 715 to 36a-719l, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall be conducted 318 from an office located in a state, as defined in section 36a-2, as amended 319 by this act. 320 (b) The following persons are exempt from mortgage servicer 321 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 11 of 44 licensing requirements: (1) Any bank, out-of-state bank, Connecticut 322 credit union, federal credit union or out-of-state credit union, provided 323 such bank or credit union is federally insured; (2) any wholly-owned 324 subsidiary of such bank or credit union; (3) any operating subsidiary 325 where each owner of such operating subsidiary is wholly owned by the 326 same such bank or credit union; (4) any person [licensed as a mortgage 327 lender in this state while] registered as an exempt mortgage servicer 328 registrant pursuant to subsection (d) of this section and acting as a 329 mortgage servicer from a location licensed as a main office or branch 330 office under sections 36a-485 to 36a-498e, inclusive, as amended by this 331 act, 36a-534a and 36a-534b [, provided (A) such person meets the 332 supplemental mortgage servicer surety bond, fidelity bond and errors 333 and omissions coverage requirements under section 36a-719c, and (B)] 334 during any period that the [license] registration of the exempt mortgage 335 [lender] servicer registrant in this state has not been suspended; [, such 336 exemption shall not be effective;] and (5) any person licensed as a 337 mortgage correspondent lender in this state while acting as a mortgage 338 servicer with respect to any residential mortgage loan it has made and 339 during the permitted ninety-day holding period for such loan from a 340 location licensed as a main office or branch office under sections 36a-485 341 to 36a-498e, inclusive, as amended by this act, 36a-534a and 36a-534b, 342 provided during any period the license of the mortgage correspondent 343 lender in this state has been suspended, such exemption shall not be 344 effective. 345 (c) The provisions of sections 36a-719e to 36a-719h, inclusive, as 346 amended by this act, shall apply to any person, including a person 347 exempt from licensure pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, who 348 acts as a mortgage servicer in this state on or after January 1, 2015. 349 (d) (1) Any person licensed as a mortgage lender in this state shall 350 register on the system as an exempt mortgage servicer registrant prior 351 to acting as a mortgage servicer from any location licensed as a main 352 office or branch office under sections 36a-485 to 36a-498e, inclusive, as 353 amended by this act, 36a-534a and 36a-534b. Each registration shall 354 expire at the close of business on December thirty-first of the year in 355 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 12 of 44 which such registration was approved, unless such registration is 356 renewed or, if such registration is approved on or after November first, 357 such registration shall expire at the close of business on December 358 thirty-first of the year following the year in which such registration was 359 approved. An application for renewal of a registration shall be filed on 360 the system between November first and December thirty-first of the 361 year in which the registration expires. Each applicant for an initial 362 registration or renewal of a registration shall meet the supplemental 363 mortgage servicer surety bond, fidelity bond and errors and omissions 364 coverage requirements under section 36a-719c, as amended by this act, 365 and pay to the system any required fees or charges. All fees paid 366 pursuant to this subdivision shall be nonrefundable. 367 (2) The commissioner may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew any 368 exempt mortgage servicer registration or take any other action, in 369 accordance with the provisions of section 36a-51, as amended by this 370 act, if the commissioner finds that the registrant no longer meets the 371 requirements for registration or if the registrant or any control person, 372 trustee, employee or agent of such registrant has: (A) Made any material 373 misstatement in an application; (B) committed any fraud or 374 misappropriated funds; or (C) violated any provision of this title or any 375 regulation or order adopted or issued pursuant thereto pertaining to 376 such person, or any other law or regulation applicable to the conduct of 377 such registrant's business. 378 Sec. 14. Section 36a-719c of the general statutes is repealed and the 379 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 380 (a) Each mortgage servicer applicant or licensee and [any person 381 exempt from mortgage servicer licensure pursuant to subdivision (4) of 382 subsection (b) of section 36a-718] exempt mortgage servicer registrant 383 shall file with the commissioner (1) a surety bond, written by a surety 384 authorized to write such bonds in this state, covering its main office and 385 any branch office from which it acts as mortgage servicer, in a penal sum 386 of one hundred thousand dollars per office location in accordance with 387 subsection (b) of this section, (2) a fidelity bond, written by a surety 388 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 13 of 44 authorized to write such bonds in this state, in accordance with the 389 requirements of subsection (c) of this section, and (3) evidence of errors 390 and omissions coverage, written by a surety authorized to write such 391 coverage in this state, in accordance with the requirements of subsection 392 (c) of this section. No mortgage servicer licensee and no [person 393 otherwise exempt from mortgage servicer licensure pursuant to 394 subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 36a-718] exempt mortgage 395 servicer registrant shall act as a mortgage servicer in this state without 396 maintaining the surety bond, fidelity bond and errors and omissions 397 coverage required by this section. 398 (b) The surety bond required by subsection (a) of this section shall be 399 (1) in a form approved by the Attorney General, [;] and (2) conditioned 400 upon the mortgage servicer licensee or [person exempt from mortgage 401 servicer licensure pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 402 36a-718] exempt mortgage servicer registrant faithfully performing any 403 and all written agreements or commitments with or for the benefit of 404 mortgagors and mortgagees, truly and faithfully accounting for all 405 funds received from a mortgagor or mortgagee in such person's capacity 406 as a mortgage servicer, and conducting such mortgage business 407 consistent with the provisions of sections 36a-715 to 36a-719l, inclusive, 408 as amended by this act. Any mortgagor that may be damaged by the 409 failure of a mortgage servicer licensee or [person exempt from mortgage 410 servicer licensure pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 411 36a-718] exempt mortgage servicer registrant to perform any written 412 agreements or commitments, or by the wrongful conversion of funds 413 paid by a mortgagor to such licensee or [person] registrant, may proceed 414 on such bond against the principal or surety thereon, or both, to recover 415 damages. The commissioner may proceed on such bond against the 416 principal or surety on such bond, or both, to collect any civil penalty 417 imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of section 36a-50, any restitution 418 imposed pursuant to subsection (c) of section 36a-50 and any unpaid 419 costs of examination of a licensee as determined pursuant to section 36a-420 65. The proceeds of the bond, even if commingled with other assets of 421 the principal, shall be deemed by operation of law to be held in trust for 422 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 14 of 44 the benefit of such claimants against the principal in the event of 423 bankruptcy of the principal and shall be immune from attachment by 424 creditors and judgment creditors. The surety bond shall run 425 concurrently with the period of the license or registration for the main 426 office of the mortgage servicer or exempt mortgage [lender] servicer 427 registrant and the aggregate liability under the bond shall not exceed 428 the penal sum of the bond. The principal shall notify the commissioner 429 of the commencement of an action on the bond. When an action is 430 commenced on a principal's bond, the commissioner may require the 431 filing of a new bond and immediately on recovery on any action on the 432 bond, the principal shall file a new bond. 433 (c) (1) The fidelity bond and errors and omissions coverage required 434 by subsection (a) of this section shall name the commissioner as an 435 additional loss payee on drafts the surety issues to pay for covered 436 losses directly or indirectly incurred by mortgagors of residential 437 mortgage loans serviced by the mortgage servicer or exempt mortgage 438 servicer registrant. The fidelity bond shall cover losses arising from 439 dishonest and fraudulent acts, embezzlement, misplacement, forgery 440 and similar events committed by employees of the mortgage servicer or 441 exempt mortgage servicer registrant. The errors and omissions coverage 442 shall cover losses arising from negligence, errors and omissions by the 443 mortgage servicer or exempt mortgage servicer registrant with respect 444 to the payment of real estate taxes and special assessments, hazard and 445 flood insurance or the maintenance of mortgage and guaranty 446 insurance. The fidelity bond and errors and omissions coverage shall 447 each be in the following principal amounts based on the mortgage 448 servicer's or exempt mortgage servicer registrant's volume of servicing 449 activity most recently reported to the commissioner: 450 [(1)] (A) If the amount of the residential mortgage loans serviced is 451 one hundred million dollars or less, the principal amount shall be at 452 least three hundred thousand dollars; or 453 [(2)] (B) If the amount of such loans exceeds one hundred million 454 dollars, the principal amount shall be at least three hundred thousand 455 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 15 of 44 dollars plus [(A)] (i) three-twentieths of one per cent of the amount of 456 residential mortgage loans serviced greater than one hundred million 457 dollars but less than or equal to five hundred million dollars; [(B)] (ii) 458 plus one-eighth of one per cent of the amount of residential mortgage 459 loans serviced greater than five hundred million dollars but less than or 460 equal to one billion dollars; and [(C)] (iii) plus one-tenth of one per cent 461 of the amount of residential mortgage loans serviced greater than one 462 billion dollars. 463 (2) The fidelity bond and errors and omissions coverage may provide 464 for a deductible amount not to exceed the greater of one hundred 465 thousand dollars or five per cent of the face amount of such bond or 466 coverage. 467 (d) A surety shall have the right to cancel the surety bond, fidelity 468 bond and errors and omissions coverage required by this section at any 469 time by a written notice to the principal and the commissioner stating 470 the date cancellation shall take effect. [If the surety bond required by 471 this section was issued electronically on the system,] Such written notice 472 of cancellation [may] shall be provided by the surety company to the 473 principal and the commissioner through the system at least thirty days 474 prior to the date of cancellation. [Any notice of cancellation not provided 475 through the system shall be sent by certified mail to the principal and 476 the commissioner at least thirty days prior to the date of cancellation.] 477 A surety bond, fidelity bond or errors and omissions coverage shall not 478 be cancelled unless the surety notifies the commissioner, in writing, not 479 less than thirty days prior to the effective date of cancellation. After 480 receipt of such notification from the surety, the commissioner shall give 481 written notice to the principal of the date such cancellation shall take 482 effect. The commissioner shall automatically suspend the license of a 483 mortgage servicer licensee or registration of an exempt mortgage 484 servicer registrant on such date or on any date when a fidelity bond or 485 errors and omissions coverage expires or is no longer in effect. No 486 automatic suspension or inactivation shall occur if, prior to the date that 487 such bond or errors and omissions coverage cancellation or expiration 488 shall take effect, (1) the principal submits a letter of reinstatement of the 489 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 16 of 44 bond or errors and omissions coverage, or a new bond or errors and 490 omissions policy, [;] or (2) the mortgage servicer licensee or exempt 491 mortgage servicer registrant has ceased business in this state and has 492 surrendered all (A) licenses in accordance with section 36a-51, as 493 amended by this act, and section 36a-719a, as amended by this act, and 494 (B) registrations in accordance with section 36a-718, as amended by this 495 act. After a mortgage servicer license or exempt mortgage servicer 496 registration has been automatically suspended pursuant to this section, 497 the commissioner shall [(A)] (i) give the licensee or registrant notice of 498 the automatic suspension, pending proceedings for revocation or 499 refusal to renew pursuant to section 36a-719j or subsection (d) of section 500 36a-718, as amended by this act, and an opportunity for a hearing on 501 such action in accordance with section 36a-51, as amended by this act, 502 and [(B)] (ii) require such licensee or registrant to take or refrain from 503 taking such action as the commissioner deems necessary to effectuate 504 the purposes of this section. [A person licensed as a mortgage lender in 505 this state] Any exempt mortgage servicer registrant acting as a mortgage 506 servicer from a location licensed as a main office or branch office under 507 sections 36a-485 to 36a-498e, inclusive, as amended by this act, 36a-534a 508 and 36a-534b shall cease to be exempt from mortgage servicer licensing 509 requirements in this state upon cancellation or expiration of any surety 510 bond, fidelity bond or errors and omissions coverage required by this 511 section. 512 (e) If the commissioner finds that the financial condition of a 513 mortgage servicer licensee or [mortgage lender licensee] exempt 514 mortgage servicer registrant so requires, as evidenced by the reduction 515 of tangible net worth, financial losses or potential losses as a result of a 516 violation of sections 36a-715 to 36a-719k, inclusive, as amended by this 517 act, the commissioner may require one or more additional bonds 518 meeting the standards set forth in this section. The mortgage servicer 519 licensee or exempt mortgage servicer registrant shall file any such 520 additional bonds not later than ten days after receipt of the 521 commissioner's written notice of such requirement. A mortgage servicer 522 licensee or exempt mortgage [lender licensee] servicer registrant shall 523 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 17 of 44 file, as the commissioner may require, any bond rider or endorsement 524 or addendum, as applicable, to any bond or evidence of errors and 525 omissions coverage on file with the commissioner to reflect any changes 526 necessary to maintain the surety bond, fidelity bond and errors and 527 omissions coverage required by this section. 528 Sec. 15. Section 36a-850a of the general statutes is repealed and the 529 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 530 (a) [In] Any person servicing a private student education loan, 531 including, but not limited to, a private student education loan servicer, 532 private education lender and private education loan creditor, shall: 533 (1) Prior to sending the first billing statement on a private student 534 education loan or immediately upon receipt of a private student 535 education loan following the transfer or assignment of such private 536 student education loan, provide to the student loan borrower, and to 537 any cosigner of such private student education loan, information 538 concerning the rights and responsibilities of such student loan borrower 539 and cosigner, including information regarding (A) how such private 540 student education loan obligation will appear on the cosigner's 541 consumer report, (B) how the cosigner will be notified if the private 542 student education loan becomes delinquent, including how the cosigner 543 can cure the delinquency in order to avoid negative credit furnishing 544 and loss of cosigner release eligibility, and (C) eligibility for release of 545 the cosigner's obligation on such private student education loan, 546 including number of on-time payments and any other criteria required 547 to approve the release of the cosigner from the loan obligation; 548 (2) Send annual written notice to all student loan borrowers and 549 cosigners relating to information about cosigner release, including the 550 criteria [the private student education loan servicer requires] necessary 551 to approve the release of a cosigner from a private student education 552 loan obligation and the process for applying for cosigner release; 553 (3) Upon satisfaction by the student loan borrower of the applicable 554 consecutive on-time payment requirement for purposes of cosigner 555 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 18 of 44 release eligibility, send, in writing, to such student loan borrower and 556 cosigner (A) a notification that such consecutive on-time payment 557 requirement has been satisfied and that such cosigner may be eligible 558 for cosigner release, and (B) information relating to the procedure for 559 applying for cosigner release and any additional criteria that a cosigner 560 must satisfy in order to be eligible for cosigner release. Such notification 561 and information shall be sent by either United States mail or electronic 562 mail, provided such student loan borrower has elected to receive 563 electronic communications from the [private student education loan 564 servicer] person servicing the private student education loan; 565 (4) In the event that an application for a cosigner release is 566 incomplete, provide, in writing, (A) notice to the student loan borrower 567 and cosigner that such application is incomplete, and (B) a description 568 of the information that is missing or the additional information that is 569 needed to consider the application complete and the date by which the 570 borrower or cosigner are required to provide such information; 571 (5) Not later than thirty days following the submission of an 572 application for cosigner release, send to the student loan borrower and 573 cosigner a written notice of the decision that such application has been 574 approved or denied. If the application for cosigner release has been 575 denied, such written notice shall (A) inform such student loan borrower 576 and cosigner that such student loan borrower and cosigner have the 577 right to request all documents and information used [by the private 578 student education loan servicer in its] in the decision to deny such 579 application, including [the] any credit score threshold used, [by the 580 private student education loan servicer,] the consumer report of such 581 student loan borrower or cosigner, the credit score of such student loan 582 borrower or cosigner [,] and any other documents that are relevant or 583 specific to such student loan borrower or cosigner, [. The private student 584 education loan servicer shall provide such student loan borrower and 585 cosigner with] and (B) include (i) any adverse action notices required 586 under federal law if the denial of such application was based in whole 587 or in part on any information contained in a consumer report, and (ii) 588 the information described in subdivision (2) of this subsection; 589 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 19 of 44 [(6) Include the information described in subdivision (2) of this 590 section in any response to an application for cosigner release; 591 (7) Refrain from imposing any restrictions on a student loan borrower 592 or cosigner that may permanently prevent such student loan borrower 593 or cosigner from qualifying for a cosigner release, including, but not 594 limited to, restrictions on the number of times a student loan borrower 595 or cosigner may apply for cosigner release; 596 (8) Refrain from imposing any negative consequences on a student 597 loan borrower or cosigner during the sixty days following issuance of 598 the notice described in subdivision (4) of this section, or until a final 599 decision concerning a student loan borrower or cosigner's application 600 for cosigner release is made. For purposes of this subdivision, "negative 601 consequences" includes, but is not limited to, the imposition of 602 additional eligibility criteria, negative credit reporting, lost eligibility for 603 a cosigner release, late fees, interest capitalization or other financial 604 penalties or injury; 605 (9) Refrain from requiring a student loan borrower to make more than 606 twelve consecutive on-time payments as part of the eligibility criteria 607 for cosigner release. Such private student education loan servicer shall 608 consider any student loan borrower who has paid the equivalent of 609 twelve months of principal and interest during any twelve-month 610 period to have satisfied the consecutive on-time payment requirement, 611 even if such student loan borrower has not made payments monthly 612 during such twelve-month period;] 613 [(10)] (6) Upon receipt of a request by a student loan borrower or 614 cosigner to a change that results in restarting the count of consecutive 615 on-time payments required for cosigner release eligibility, provide to 616 such student loan borrower and cosigner written notification of the 617 impact of such change on cosigner release eligibility and an opportunity 618 to withdraw or reverse such change for purposes of avoiding such 619 impact; 620 [(11)] (7) Provide a student loan borrower or cosigner (A) the right to 621 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 20 of 44 request an appeal of a determination to deny a cosigner release 622 application, (B) an opportunity to submit additional information or 623 documentation evidencing that such student loan borrower has the 624 ability, willingness and stability to make his or her payment obligations, 625 and (C) the right to request that a different employee [of the private 626 student education loan servicer] review and make a determination on 627 the application for a cosigner release; 628 [(12)] (8) Establish and maintain a comprehensive record 629 management system reasonably designed to ensure the accuracy, 630 integrity and completeness of data and other information about cosigner 631 release applications. Such system shall include the number of cosigner 632 release applications received, the approval and denial rate of such 633 applications and the primary reasons for denial of such applications; 634 [(13) In the event that a cosigner has a total and permanent disability, 635 as determined by any federal or state agency or doctor of medicine or 636 osteopathy legally authorized to practice in the state, and unless 637 otherwise expressly prohibited under the terms of a private student 638 education loan agreement, (A) release the cosigner from his or her 639 obligation to repay the private student education loan upon receipt of 640 notification that such cosigner has a total and permanent disability, and 641 (B) refrain from requiring that a new cosigner be added to such private 642 student education loan after the original cosigner has been released 643 from such private student education loan;] 644 [(14)] (9) Provide the cosigner of a private student education loan 645 with access to the same documents and records associated with the 646 private student education loan that are available to the student loan 647 borrower of such private student education loan; and 648 [(15)] (10) If a student loan borrower has electronic access to 649 documents and records associated with a private student education 650 loan, provide equivalent electronic access to such documents and 651 records to the cosigner of such private student education loan. 652 (b) Any person that makes or extends a private student education 653 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 21 of 44 loan on or after October 1, 2025, shall provide, consistent with the terms 654 of this subsection, options for cosigner release on such private student 655 education loan upon the satisfaction of certain criteria, including, but 656 not limited to, twelve consecutive on-time payments by the student loan 657 borrower or in the event of total and permanent disability of the 658 cosigner. On and after October 1, 2025, no person that makes, extends 659 or owns one or more private student education loans, including, but not 660 limited to, any private education lender or private education loan 661 creditor, directly or indirectly, shall: 662 (1) Impose any restriction on a student loan borrower or cosigner that 663 may permanently prevent such student loan borrower or cosigner from 664 qualifying for a cosigner release, including, but not limited to, any 665 restriction on the number of times a student loan borrower or cosigner 666 may apply for a cosigner release; 667 (2) Impose any negative consequence on a student loan borrower or 668 cosigner during the sixty-day period following issuance of the notice 669 described in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this 670 section, or until a final decision concerning a student loan borrower or 671 cosigner's application for a cosigner release has been made. For 672 purposes of this subdivision, "negative consequence" includes, but is not 673 limited to, the imposition of any additional eligibility criteria, negative 674 credit reporting, lost eligibility for a cosigner release, late fee, interest 675 capitalization or any other financial penalty or injury; 676 (3) Require a student loan borrower to make more than twelve 677 consecutive on-time payments as part of the eligibility criteria for a 678 cosigner release. A private student education loan servicer shall 679 consider any student loan borrower who has paid the equivalent of 680 twelve months of principal and interest during any twelve-month 681 period to have satisfied the consecutive on-time payment requirement, 682 even if such student loan borrower has not made monthly payments 683 during such twelve-month period; or 684 (4) In the event that a cosigner is totally and permanently disabled, as 685 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 22 of 44 determined by any federal or state agency or doctor of medicine or 686 osteopathy legally authorized to practice in this state, (A) refuse to 687 release the cosigner from his or her obligation to repay the private 688 student education loan upon receipt of notification that such cosigner is 689 totally and permanently disabled, or (B) require that a new cosigner be 690 added to such private student education loan after the original cosigner 691 has been released. 692 [(b)] (c) The provisions of [subsection (a)] subsections (a) and (b) of 693 this section shall not apply to the following persons: (1) Any bank, out-694 of-state bank that has a physical presence in the state, Connecticut credit 695 union, federal credit union or out-of-state credit union; (2) any wholly 696 owned subsidiary of any such bank or credit union; (3) any operating 697 subsidiary where each owner of such operating subsidiary is wholly 698 owned by the same bank or credit union; and (4) the Connecticut Higher 699 Education Supplemental Loan Authority. 700 Sec. 16. Section 36a-51 of the general statutes is repealed and the 701 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 702 (a) The commissioner may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew any 703 license or registration issued by the commissioner under any provision 704 of the general statutes by sending a notice to the licensee or registrant 705 by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any 706 express delivery carrier that provides a dated delivery receipt, or by 707 personal delivery, as defined in section 4-166, in accordance with section 708 36a-52a. The notice shall be deemed received by the licensee or 709 registrant on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or seven days after 710 mailing or sending, and in the case of a notice sent by electronic mail, 711 the notice shall be deemed received by the licensee or registrant in 712 accordance with section 36a-52a. Any such notice shall include: (1) A 713 statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing; (2) a statement 714 of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be 715 held; (3) a reference to the particular sections of the general statutes, 716 regulations, rules or orders involved; (4) a short and plain statement of 717 the matters asserted; and (5) a statement indicating that the licensee or 718 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 23 of 44 registrant may file a written request for a hearing on the matters 719 asserted within fourteen days of receipt of the notice. If the 720 commissioner finds that public health, safety or welfare imperatively 721 requires emergency action, and incorporates a finding to that effect in 722 the notice, the commissioner may order summary suspension of a 723 license or registration in accordance with subsection (c) of section 4-182 724 and require the licensee or registrant to take or refrain from taking such 725 action as in the opinion of the commissioner will effectuate the purposes 726 of this section, pending proceedings for suspension, revocation or 727 refusal to renew. 728 (b) If a hearing is requested within the time specified in the notice, 729 the commissioner shall hold a hearing upon the matters asserted in the 730 notice unless the licensee or registrant fails to appear at the hearing. 731 After the hearing, the commissioner shall suspend, revoke or refuse to 732 renew the license or registration for any reason set forth in the 733 applicable [licensing] provisions of the general statutes if the 734 commissioner finds sufficient grounds exist for such suspension, 735 revocation or refusal to renew. If the licensee or registrant does not 736 request a hearing within the time specified in the notice or fails to appear 737 at the hearing, the commissioner shall suspend, revoke or refuse to 738 renew the license or registration. No such license or registration shall be 739 suspended or revoked except in accordance with the provisions of 740 chapter 54. 741 (c) (1) Any licensee or registrant may surrender any license or 742 registration issued by the commissioner under any provision of the 743 general statutes by surrendering the license or registration to the 744 commissioner in person or by registered or certified mail, provided, in 745 the case of a license or registration issued through the system, as defined 746 in section 36a-2, as amended by this act, such surrender shall be initiated 747 by filing a request to surrender on the system. No surrender on the 748 system shall be effective until the request to surrender is accepted by the 749 commissioner. Surrender of a license or registration shall not affect the 750 licensee's or registrant's civil or criminal liability, or affect the 751 commissioner's ability to impose an administrative penalty on the 752 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 24 of 44 licensee or registrant pursuant to section 36a-50 for acts committed prior 753 to the surrender. If, prior to receiving the license or registration, or, in 754 the case of a license or registration issued through the system prior to 755 the filing of a request to surrender a license or registration, the 756 commissioner has instituted a proceeding to suspend, revoke or refuse 757 to renew such license or registration, such surrender or request to 758 surrender will not become effective except at such time and under such 759 conditions as the commissioner by order determines. If no proceeding 760 is pending or has been instituted by the commissioner at the time of 761 surrender, or, in the case of a license or registration issued through the 762 system, at the time a request to surrender is filed, the commissioner may 763 still institute a proceeding to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a 764 license or registration under subsection (a) of this section up to the date 765 one year after the date of receipt of the license or registration by the 766 commissioner, or, in the case of a license or registration issued through 767 the system, up to the date one year after the date of the acceptance by 768 the commissioner of a request to surrender a license or registration. 769 (2) If any license or registration issued on the system expires due to 770 the licensee's or registrant's failure to renew such license or registration, 771 the commissioner may institute a revocation or suspension proceeding, 772 or issue an order revoking or suspending the license or registration, 773 under applicable authorities not later than one year after the date of such 774 expiration. 775 (3) Withdrawal of an application for a license or registration filed on 776 the system shall become effective upon receipt by the commissioner of 777 a notice of intent to withdraw such application. The commissioner may 778 deny a license or registration up to the date one year after the effective 779 date of withdrawal. 780 (d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to chapters 672a, 781 672b and 672c. 782 Sec. 17. Subsection (a) of section 36a-556 of the general statutes is 783 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 784 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 25 of 44 1, 2025): 785 (a) Without having first obtained a small loan license from the 786 commissioner pursuant to section 36a-565, no person shall, by any 787 method, including, but not limited to, mail, telephone, Internet or other 788 electronic means, unless exempt pursuant to section 36a-557: 789 (1) Make a small loan to a Connecticut borrower; 790 (2) Offer, solicit, broker, directly or indirectly arrange, place or find a 791 small loan for a prospective Connecticut borrower; 792 (3) Engage in any other activity intended to assist a prospective 793 Connecticut borrower in obtaining a small loan, including, but not 794 limited to, generating leads; 795 (4) Receive payments, [of] including, but not limited to, payments for 796 principal, [and] interest or fees, from a Connecticut borrower in 797 connection with a small loan; [made to a Connecticut borrower;] 798 (5) Purchase, acquire or receive assignment of a small loan made to a 799 Connecticut borrower; and 800 (6) Advertise or cause to be advertised in this state a small loan or any 801 of the services described in subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, of this 802 subsection. 803 Sec. 18. Section 36a-715 of the general statutes is repealed and the 804 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 805 As used in sections 36a-715 to 36a-719l, inclusive, as amended by this 806 act, unless the context otherwise requires: 807 (1) "Advertise" or "advertising", "control person", "individual", "main 808 office", "mortgage broker", "mortgage correspondent lender", "mortgage 809 lender", "office", "person" and "unique identifier" have the same 810 meanings as provided in section 36a-485. 811 [(1)] (2) "Branch office" means a location other than the main office at 812 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 26 of 44 which a licensee or any person on behalf of a licensee acts as a mortgage 813 servicer. 814 [(2) The terms "advertise or advertising", "control person", 815 "individual", "main office", "mortgage broker", "mortgage 816 correspondent lender", "mortgage lender", "office", "person" and 817 "unique identifier" have the same meanings as provided in section 36a-818 485.] 819 (3) "Mortgage servicer" (A) means any person, wherever located, 820 who, for such person or on behalf of the holder of a residential mortgage 821 loan, receives payments, [of] including, but not limited to, payments for 822 principal, [and] interest or fees, in connection with a residential 823 mortgage loan, records such payments on such person's books and 824 records and performs such other administrative functions as may be 825 necessary to properly carry out the mortgage holder's obligations under 826 the mortgage agreement including, when applicable, the receipt of 827 funds from the mortgagor to be held in escrow for payment of real estate 828 taxes and insurance premiums and the distribution of such funds to the 829 taxing authority and insurance company, and (B) includes a person who 830 makes payments to borrowers pursuant to the terms of a home equity 831 conversion mortgage or reverse mortgage. 832 (4) "Mortgagee" means the grantee of a residential mortgage, 833 provided if the residential mortgage has been assigned of record, 834 "mortgagee" means the last person to whom the residential mortgage 835 has been assigned of record. 836 (5) "Mortgagor" means any person obligated to repay a residential 837 mortgage loan. 838 (6) "Residential mortgage loan" means any loan primarily for 839 personal, family or household use that is secured by a mortgage, deed 840 of trust or other equivalent consensual security interest on a dwelling, 841 as defined in Section 103 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, 15 USC 842 1602, located in this state, or real property located in this state upon 843 which is constructed or intended to be constructed a dwelling. 844 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 27 of 44 Sec. 19. Section 36a-846 of the general statutes is repealed and the 845 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 846 As used in this section and sections 36a-847 to 36a-855, inclusive: 847 (1) "Advertise" or "advertising" has the same meaning as provided in 848 section 36a-485; 849 (2) "Branch office" means a location other than the main office at 850 which a licensee or any person on behalf of a licensee acts as a student 851 loan servicer; 852 (3) "Consumer report" has the same meaning as provided in Section 853 603(d) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC [,] 1681a, as amended 854 from time to time; 855 (4) "Control person" has the same meaning as provided in section 36a-856 485; 857 (5) "Cosigner" has the same meaning as provided in 15 USC 1650(a), 858 as amended from time to time; 859 (6) "Federal student education loan" means any student education 860 loan (A) (i) made pursuant to the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan 861 Program, 20 USC 1087a, et seq., as amended from time to time, or (ii) 862 purchased by the United States Department of Education pursuant to 20 863 USC 1087i-1(a), as amended from time to time, and (B) owned by the 864 United States Department of Education; 865 (7) "Federal student loan servicer" means any student loan servicer 866 responsible for the servicing of a federal student education loan to a 867 student loan borrower pursuant to a contract awarded by the United 868 States Department of Education under 20 USC 1087f, as amended from 869 time to time; 870 (8) "Main office" has the same meaning as provided in section 36a-871 485; 872 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 28 of 44 (9) "Private education lender" has the same meaning as provided in 873 section 36a-856, as amended by this act; 874 (10) "Private education loan creditor" has the same meaning as 875 provided in section 36a-856, as amended by this act; 876 [(9)] (11) "Private student education loan" means any student 877 education loan that is not a federal student education loan; 878 [(10)] (12) "Private student education loan servicer" means any 879 student loan servicer responsible for the servicing of a private student 880 education loan to a student loan borrower; 881 [(11)] (13) "Student loan borrower" means any individual who resides 882 within this state who has agreed to repay a student education loan; 883 [(12)] (14) "Student loan servicer" means any person, wherever 884 located, responsible for the servicing of any student education loan to 885 any student loan borrower; 886 [(13)] (15) "Servicing" means (A) receiving any [scheduled periodic] 887 payments from a student loan borrower pursuant to the terms of a 888 student education loan, [;] (B) applying the payments of principal and 889 interest and such other payments with respect to the amounts received 890 from a student loan borrower, as may be required pursuant to the terms 891 of a student education loan, [;] (C) maintaining account records for and 892 communicating with the student loan borrower concerning the student 893 education loan during the period when no [scheduled periodic] 894 payments are required, [;] (D) interacting with a student loan borrower 895 for purposes of facilitating the servicing of a student education loan, 896 including, but not limited to, assisting a student loan borrower to 897 prevent such borrower from defaulting on obligations arising from the 898 student education loan, [;] or (E) performing other administrative 899 services with respect to a student education loan; 900 [(14)] (16) "Student education loan" means any loan primarily for 901 personal use to finance education or other school-related expenses; and 902 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 29 of 44 [(15)] (17) "Unique identifier" has the same meaning as provided in 903 section 36a-485. 904 Sec. 20. Subsection (d) of section 36a-487 of the general statutes is 905 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 906 1, 2025): 907 (d) Any person claiming exemption from licensure under this section 908 may register on the system as an exempt registrant for purposes of 909 sponsoring a mortgage loan originator or a loan processor or 910 underwriter pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 36a-911 486. Such registration shall not affect the exempt status of such person. 912 Each registration shall expire at the close of business on December 913 thirty-first of the year in which such registration was approved, unless 914 such registration is renewed or, if such registration is approved on or 915 after November first, such registration shall expire at the close of 916 business on December thirty-first of the year following the year in which 917 such registration was approved. An application for renewal of a 918 registration shall be filed on the system between November first and 919 December thirty-first of the year in which the registration expires. Each 920 applicant for an initial registration or renewal of a registration shall pay 921 to the system any required fees or charges. All fees paid pursuant to this 922 subsection shall be nonrefundable. Any approval of such registration, 923 or any approval of any renewal of such registration, shall not constitute 924 a determination by the commissioner that such entity is exempt, but 925 rather shall evidence the commissioner's approval to use the system for 926 purposes of sponsoring and bonding. 927 Sec. 21. Section 36a-868 of the general statutes is repealed and the 928 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 929 No commercial financing contract entered into on or after July 1, 930 2024, shall contain any provision waiving a recipient's right to notice, 931 judicial hearing or prior court order under chapter 903a in connection 932 with the provider obtaining any prejudgment remedy, including, but 933 not limited to, attachment, execution, garnishment or replevin [,] upon 934 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 30 of 44 commencing any litigation against the recipient. Any such provision in 935 a commercial financing contract entered into on or after July 1, 2024, 936 shall be unenforceable. 937 Sec. 22. Subsection (c) of section 36a-870 of the general statutes is 938 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 939 2025): 940 (c) Each provider and commercial financing broker [shall pay an 941 initial registration fee of one thousand dollars and an annual 942 registration fee of five hundred dollars by the fifteenth of September 943 each year thereafter. If a provider or commercial financing broker fails 944 to timely pay any such annual registration fee, its registration shall 945 automatically expire by operation of law] registration shall expire at the 946 close of business on December thirty-first of the year in which such 947 registration was approved, unless such registration is renewed or, if 948 such registration is approved on or after November first, such 949 registration shall expire at the close of business on December thirty-first 950 of the year following the year in which such registration was approved. 951 An application for renewal of a registration shall be filed with the 952 commissioner between November first and December thirty-first of the 953 year in which the registration expires. Each applicant for an initial 954 registration or renewal of a registration shall pay to the system a 955 registration fee of one thousand dollars and any other required fees or 956 charges. All fees paid pursuant to this subsection shall be 957 nonrefundable. 958 Sec. 23. Section 36a-872 of the general statutes is repealed and the 959 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 960 (a) [Any provider who violates any provision of sections 36a-861 to 961 36a-870, inclusive, or any regulation adopted pursuant to section 36a-962 871 shall be liable for a civil penalty pursuant to section 36a-50] The 963 commissioner may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew any registration 964 issued pursuant to section 36a-870, as amended by this act, or take any 965 other action in accordance with the provisions of section 36a-51, as 966 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 31 of 44 amended by this act, if the commissioner finds that the registrant or any 967 control person, trustee, employee or agent of such registrant has done 968 any of the following: (1) Made any material misstatement in the 969 application; (2) committed any fraud or misappropriated funds; or (3) 970 violated (A) any provision of this title or any regulation or order 971 adopted or issued pursuant thereto pertaining to such registrant or any 972 control person, trustee, employee or agent of such registrant, or (B) any 973 other law or regulation applicable to the conduct of such registrant's 974 business. 975 (b) [In addition to any civil penalty imposed under subsection (a) of 976 this section, if the Banking Commissioner finds that a provider has 977 knowingly violated any provision of sections 36a-861 to 36a-870, 978 inclusive, or any regulation adopted pursuant to section 36a-871, the 979 commissioner may seek an injunction in a court of competent 980 jurisdiction, and may exercise the powers granted to the commissioner 981 under section 36a-50, on behalf of any recipient affected by the violation] 982 Whenever it appears to the commissioner that any person has violated, 983 is violating or is about to violate the provisions of sections 36a-861 to 984 36a-870, inclusive, as amended by this act, the commissioner may take 985 action against such person in accordance with sections 36a-50 and 36a-986 52. 987 Sec. 24. Subsections (b) to (g), inclusive, of section 36a-856 of the 988 general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 989 thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 990 (b) (1) Except for a public or private nonprofit postsecondary 991 educational institution, for which the commissioner may prescribe an 992 alternative registration process and fee structure, a private education 993 lender or a private education loan creditor shall, prior to making a 994 private education loan to, or purchasing or assuming a private 995 education loan owed by, a resident of the state, [:] (A) register with the 996 commissioner, and (B) renew such registration for each year that such 997 private education lender or private education loan creditor continues to 998 act as a private education lender or private education loan creditor. 999 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 32 of 44 [(1) Register with the commissioner and pay a fee in the form and 1000 manner prescribed by the commissioner, which may include 1001 registration using the National Multistate Licensing System and 1002 Registry and the payment of any fees thereto; and 1003 (2) Renew such registration for each year that such private education 1004 lender or private education loan creditor continues to act as a private 1005 education lender or private education loan creditor.] 1006 (2) Each private education lender and private education loan creditor 1007 registration shall expire at the close of business on December thirty-first 1008 of the year in which such registration was approved, unless such 1009 registration is renewed or, if such registration is approved on or after 1010 November first, such registration shall expire at the close of business on 1011 December thirty-first of the year following the year in which such 1012 registration was approved. An application for renewal of a registration 1013 shall be filed with the commissioner between November first and 1014 December thirty-first of the year in which the registration expires. Each 1015 applicant for an initial registration or renewal of a registration shall pay 1016 to the system a registration fee of nine hundred dollars and any other 1017 required fees or charges. All fees paid pursuant to this subdivision shall 1018 be nonrefundable. 1019 (c) For each year in which a private education lender registers with, 1020 or renews such registration with, the commissioner pursuant to 1021 subsection (b) of this section, such private education lender shall, at the 1022 time of such registration or renewal, and at other times upon the 1023 commissioner's request, provide to the commissioner, in the form and 1024 manner prescribed by the commissioner, the following documents and 1025 information: 1026 (1) A list of all schools attended by the private education loan 1027 borrowers with outstanding private education loans made by such 1028 private education lender; 1029 (2) The number and dollar amount of all outstanding private 1030 education loans such private education lender made to private 1031 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 33 of 44 education loan borrowers; 1032 (3) For each school listed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this 1033 subsection, the number and dollar amount of all outstanding private 1034 education loans such private education lender made to private 1035 education loan borrowers who attended such school; 1036 (4) The number and dollar amount of all private education loans such 1037 private education lender made during the prior year to private 1038 education loan borrowers; 1039 (5) For each school listed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this 1040 subsection, the number and dollar amount of all private education loans 1041 such private education lender made during the prior year to private 1042 education loan borrowers who attended such school; 1043 (6) The spread of interest rates for the private education loans such 1044 private education lender made during the prior year; 1045 (7) The percentage of private education loan borrowers who received 1046 each rate within the spread of interest rates provided pursuant to 1047 subdivision (6) of this subsection; 1048 (8) The number of private education loans with a cosigner that such 1049 private education lender made during the prior year; 1050 (9) The default rate for private education loan borrowers obtaining 1051 private education loans from the private education lender, and, for each 1052 school listed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the default 1053 rate for private education loans made to private education loan 1054 borrowers who attended such school; 1055 (10) The number of private education loan borrowers against whom 1056 such private education lender brought legal action in the prior year to 1057 collect a debt owed pursuant to a private education loan, and the 1058 amount sought in each such action; 1059 (11) A copy of each model promissory note, agreement, contract or 1060 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 34 of 44 other instrument used by the private education lender during the prior 1061 year to substantiate that a new private education loan has been extended 1062 to a private education loan borrower or that a private education loan 1063 borrower owes a debt to such lender; and 1064 (12) The name and address of: (A) Such private education lender; (B) 1065 each officer, director or partner of such private education lender; and 1066 (C) each owner of a controlling interest in such private education lender. 1067 (d) For each year in which a private education loan creditor registers 1068 with, or renews such registration with, the commissioner pursuant to 1069 subsection (b) of this section, such private education loan creditor shall, 1070 at the time of such registration or renewal, and at other times upon the 1071 commissioner's request, provide to the commissioner, in the form and 1072 manner prescribed by the commissioner, the following documents and 1073 information: 1074 (1) A list of all schools attended by the private education loan 1075 borrowers with outstanding private education loans assumed or 1076 acquired by such private education loan creditor; 1077 (2) The number and dollar amount of all outstanding private 1078 education loans owed by private education loan borrowers to such 1079 private education loan creditor; 1080 (3) For each school listed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this 1081 subsection, the number and dollar amount of all outstanding private 1082 education loans owed to such private education loan creditor by private 1083 education loan borrowers who attended such school; 1084 (4) The number and dollar amount of all private education loans: (A) 1085 Such private education loan creditor assumed or acquired during the 1086 prior year; and (B) owed to such private education loan creditor by 1087 private education loan borrowers; 1088 (5) For each school listed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this 1089 subsection, the number and dollar amount of all private education 1090 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 35 of 44 loans: (A) Such private education loan creditor assumed or acquired 1091 during the prior year; and (B) owed to such private education loan 1092 creditor by private education loan borrowers who attended such school; 1093 (6) The number of private education loans with a cosigner that such 1094 private education loan creditor assumed or acquired during the prior 1095 year; 1096 (7) The default rate for private education loan borrowers whose 1097 private education loans were assumed or acquired by such private 1098 education loan creditor, and, for each school listed pursuant to 1099 subdivision (1) of this subsection, the default rate for private education 1100 loans owed by private education loan borrowers who attended such 1101 school; 1102 (8) The number of private education loan borrowers against whom 1103 such private education loan creditor brought legal action in the prior 1104 year to collect a debt owed pursuant to a private education loan, and the 1105 amount sought in each such action; and 1106 (9) The name and address of: (A) Such private education loan 1107 creditor; (B) each officer, director or partner of such private education 1108 loan creditor; and (C) each owner of a controlling interest in such private 1109 education loan creditor. 1110 (e) The commissioner shall create, and periodically update, a publicly 1111 accessible Internet web site that includes the following information 1112 about private education lenders and private education loan creditors 1113 registered in the state: 1114 (1) The name, address, telephone number and Internet web site 1115 address for all registered private education lenders and private 1116 education loan creditors; 1117 (2) A summary of the information and documents provided pursuant 1118 to subsections (c) and (d) of this section; and 1119 (3) Copies of all model promissory notes, agreements, contracts and 1120 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 36 of 44 other instruments provided to the commissioner in accordance with 1121 subdivision (11) of subsection (c) of this section. 1122 (f) The commissioner may [take action pursuant to section 36a-50 to 1123 enforce the provisions of this section.] suspend, revoke or refuse to 1124 renew any registration issued under subsection (b) of this section or take 1125 any other action in accordance with the provisions of section 36a-51, as 1126 amended by this act, if the commissioner finds that the registrant or any 1127 control person, trustee, employee or agent of such registrant has done 1128 any of the following: (1) Made any material misstatement in the 1129 application; (2) committed any fraud or misappropriated funds; or (3) 1130 violated (A) any provision of this title or any regulation or order 1131 adopted or issued pursuant thereto pertaining to such registrant or any 1132 control person, trustee, employee or agent of such registrant, or (B) any 1133 other law or regulation applicable to the conduct of such registrant's 1134 business. 1135 (g) Whenever it appears to the commissioner that any person has 1136 violated, is violating or is about to violate the provisions of this section, 1137 the commissioner may take action against such person in accordance 1138 with sections 36a-50 and 36a-52. 1139 [(g)] (h) (1) The commissioner may order that any person who has 1140 been found to have violated any provision of this section and has 1141 thereby caused financial harm to a consumer be barred for a term not 1142 exceeding ten years from [acting as a private education lender, private 1143 education loan creditor or] engaging in any activity requiring a license 1144 or registration under this title, or acting as a stockholder, officer, 1145 director, partner or other owner or employee of [a private education 1146 lender or private education loan creditor] an entity requiring such a 1147 license or registration, by sending a notice to such person by registered 1148 or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any express delivery 1149 carrier that provides a dated delivery receipt, or by personal delivery, 1150 as defined in section 4-166, in accordance with section 36a-52a. The 1151 notice shall be deemed received by such person on the earlier of the date 1152 of actual receipt or seven days after mailing or sending, and in the case 1153 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 37 of 44 of a notice sent by electronic mail, the notice shall be deemed received 1154 by such person in accordance with section 36a-52a. Such notice shall 1155 include: (A) A statement of the time, place and nature of a hearing to be 1156 held upon the matters asserted in the notice; (B) a statement of the legal 1157 authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held; (C) a 1158 reference to the particular sections of the general statutes, regulations of 1159 Connecticut state agencies, rules or orders that such person is alleged to 1160 have violated; (D) a short and plain statement of the matters asserted; 1161 and (E) a statement indicating that such person may file a written 1162 request for a hearing on the matters asserted within fourteen days of 1163 receipt of the notice. 1164 (2) If a hearing is requested within the time specified in the notice, the 1165 commissioner shall hold a hearing upon the matters asserted in the 1166 notice unless such person fails to appear at the hearing. After the 1167 hearing, the commissioner shall determine whether to issue an order 1168 barring such person, for a term not to exceed ten years, from engaging 1169 in any activity requiring a license or registration under this title, or from 1170 acting as a stockholder, officer, director, partner or other owner or 1171 employee of an entity requiring such a license or registration. The 1172 commissioner may also issue such an order if such person does not 1173 request a hearing within the time specified in the notice or fails to appear 1174 at the hearing. No order shall be issued under this subsection except in 1175 accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. 1176 Sec. 25. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) Any mortgage lender, as 1177 defined in section 36a-485 of the general statutes, that offers to make a 1178 shared appreciation agreement, as defined in section 36a-485 of the 1179 general statutes, shall, not later than three business days after the 1180 prospective borrower under such proposed agreement submits an 1181 application to such mortgage lender for such proposed agreement, 1182 disclose to such prospective borrower, in writing: 1183 (1) The following statement, which shall be clear, conspicuous and in 1184 at least twelve-point font: "You are not required to complete this 1185 agreement merely because you have received these disclosures or have 1186 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 38 of 44 signed a loan application. If you obtain this loan, the lender will have a 1187 mortgage and shared interest in your home. You could lose your home, 1188 and any money you have put into it, if you do not meet your obligations 1189 under the loan. You may wish to consult an attorney."; 1190 (2) Financial information relevant to the proposed shared 1191 appreciation agreement, including, but not limited to, whether such 1192 proposed agreement is terminated through repayment, which 1193 repayment may include the mortgage lender's receipt of some or all of 1194 the proceeds from a sale of the dwelling or residential real estate that is 1195 the subject of such proposed agreement if such proposed agreement is 1196 terminated by such sale; 1197 (3) Agreement and transaction details for the proposed shared 1198 appreciation agreement, including, but not limited to, the mortgage 1199 lender's contact information, the transaction amount, the sum of cash to 1200 be paid to the prospective borrower, the starting value for appreciation 1201 sharing, the term of the proposed agreement and the estimated current 1202 fair market value of the dwelling or residential real estate that is the 1203 subject of such proposed agreement; 1204 (4) The method of determining the current fair market value of the 1205 dwelling or residential real estate that is the subject of the proposed 1206 shared appreciation agreement; 1207 (5) The method of determining the final value of the dwelling or 1208 residential real estate that is the subject of the proposed shared 1209 appreciation agreement upon termination of such proposed agreement; 1210 (6) The interest charged, if applicable; 1211 (7) The limit of the mortgage lender's share of appreciation or equity 1212 in the dwelling or residential real estate that is the subject of the 1213 proposed shared appreciation agreement; 1214 (8) An advisory that the prospective borrower consult such 1215 borrower's tax advisor on the potential tax implications of the proposed 1216 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 39 of 44 shared appreciation agreement; 1217 (9) Repayment examples for the proposed shared appreciation 1218 agreement based upon, at minimum: 1219 (A) Settlement of such proposed agreement after five years, ten years, 1220 fifteen years and thirty years, in each case up to the maximum term of 1221 such proposed agreement; and 1222 (B) (i) No change in the market value of the dwelling or residential 1223 real estate that is the subject of such proposed agreement, and (ii) 1224 changes in the market value of the dwelling or residential real estate that 1225 is the subject of such proposed agreement (I) at the rate of ten per cent 1226 total depreciation over the term of such proposed agreement, (II) at the 1227 rate of three and one-half per cent total appreciation over such term, (III) 1228 at the rate of five and one-half per cent total appreciation over such term, 1229 and (IV) reflecting the actual average rate of appreciation or 1230 depreciation for all dwellings or residential real estate in this state 1231 during the period that is equal to the term of such proposed agreement 1232 and that occurred immediately prior to such term; and 1233 (10) The following information and corresponding calculations for 1234 the proposed shared appreciation agreement, if applicable: 1235 (A) The calculated appreciation amount; 1236 (B) The appreciation-based charge; 1237 (C) The accrued or charged interest; 1238 (D) The principal amount to be repaid; 1239 (E) The mortgage lender's total calculated share of appreciation or 1240 equity; 1241 (F) Any limit to the mortgage lender's share of appreciation or equity; 1242 and 1243 (G) For each of the repayment scenarios specified in subdivision (9) 1244 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 40 of 44 of this section: 1245 (i) The actual amount of money to be paid by the prospective 1246 borrower to the mortgage lender, inclusive of any unconditional 1247 administrative fees or reimbursement of protective advances that are 1248 required to be paid at the time of the settlement of such proposed 1249 agreement; and 1250 (ii) The total cost to the prospective borrower expressed as an annual 1251 percentage rate, to allow the prospective borrower to compare, under 1252 each such repayment scenario, the cost at the time of the settlement of 1253 such proposed agreement with the cost of a traditional mortgage loan. 1254 Sec. 26. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 36a-498e of the 1255 general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 1256 thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 1257 (b) (1) No person, other than an individual, who is required to be 1258 licensed and is subject to sections 36a-485 to 36a-498h, inclusive, 36a-1259 534a and 36a-534b, and no [qualifying] qualified individual or branch 1260 manager shall fail to establish, enforce and maintain policies and 1261 procedures reasonably designed to achieve compliance with subsection 1262 (a) of this section. 1263 Sec. 27. Subsection (b) of section 36a-719h of the general statutes is 1264 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1265 1, 2025): 1266 (b) No mortgage servicer shall fail to establish, enforce and maintain 1267 policies and procedures reasonably designed to achieve compliance 1268 with subsection (a) of this section, and no [qualifying] qualified 1269 individual or branch manager for such mortgage servicer shall fail to 1270 enforce such policies and procedures. No violation of this subsection 1271 shall be found unless the mortgage servicer, qualifying individual or 1272 branch manager's failure to establish, enforce or maintain policies and 1273 procedures resulted in conduct in violation of sections 36a-715 to 36a-1274 724, inclusive, as amended by this act, or rules or regulations adopted 1275 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 41 of 44 under said sections or any other state or federal law, including the rules 1276 and regulations thereunder, applicable to any business authorized or 1277 conducted under said sections. 1278 Sec. 28. Subdivision (72) of section 36a-2 of the general statutes is 1279 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1280 1, 2025): 1281 (72) "System" means the Nationwide [Mortgage] Multistate Licensing 1282 System and Registry, NMLS, NMLSR or such other name or acronym as 1283 may be assigned to the multistate system developed by the Conference 1284 of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential 1285 Mortgage Regulators and owned and operated by the State Regulatory 1286 Registry, LLC, or any successor or affiliated entity, for the licensing and 1287 registration of persons in the mortgage and other financial services 1288 industries; 1289 Sec. 29. Subsection (a) of section 36a-719 of the general statutes is 1290 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1291 1, 2025): 1292 (a) The commissioner shall issue a mortgage servicer license to an 1293 applicant for such license if the commissioner finds that: (1) The 1294 applicant has identified a qualified individual for its main office and a 1295 branch manager for each branch office where such business is 1296 conducted, provided such qualified individual and branch manager 1297 have supervisory authority over the mortgage servicer activities at the 1298 respective office location and at least three years' experience in the 1299 mortgage servicing business within the five years immediately 1300 preceding the date of the application for licensure; (2) notwithstanding 1301 the provisions of section 46a-80, the applicant, the control persons of the 1302 applicant, the qualified individual and any branch manager have not 1303 been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, in a domestic, 1304 foreign or military court, a felony during the seven-year period 1305 preceding the date of the application for licensing or a felony involving 1306 an act of fraud or dishonesty, a breach of trust or money laundering at 1307 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 42 of 44 any time preceding the date of application, provided any pardon or 1308 expungement of a conviction shall not be a conviction for purposes of 1309 this subdivision; (3) the applicant demonstrates that the financial 1310 responsibility, character and general fitness of the applicant, the control 1311 persons of the applicant, the qualified individual and any branch 1312 manager command the confidence of the community and warrant a 1313 determination that the applicant will operate honestly, fairly and 1314 efficiently within the purposes of sections 36a-715 to 36a-719l, inclusive, 1315 as amended by this act; (4) the applicant has met the surety bond, 1316 fidelity bond and errors and omissions coverage requirement under 1317 section 36a-719c, as amended by this act; (5) the applicant, the control 1318 persons of the applicant, the qualified individual and any branch 1319 manager have not made a material misstatement in the application; and 1320 (6) the applicant has met any other similar requirements as determined 1321 by the commissioner. If the commissioner fails to make such findings, 1322 the commissioner shall not issue a license, and shall notify the applicant 1323 of the denial and the reasons for such denial. The commissioner may 1324 waive the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection relating to 1325 the supervision and experience of (A) a qualified individual where the 1326 applicant establishes to the satisfaction of the commissioner that the 1327 applicant (i) will not conduct any activity subject to licensure under 1328 sections 36a-715 to 36a-719l, inclusive, as amended by this act, at the 1329 main office, and (ii) has designated a qualified individual who is 1330 responsible for the actions of the applicant; and (B) a qualified 1331 individual or a branch manager where the applicant establishes to the 1332 satisfaction of the commissioner that the applicant (i) holds only 1333 mortgage servicing rights at the main office or branch office and 1334 conducts no other activity at such office, and (ii) has designated a 1335 qualified individual or branch manager at such main office or branch 1336 office who is responsible for the actions of the [application] applicant. 1337 No person licensed as a mortgage servicer and granted a waiver by the 1338 commissioner shall engage in any activity that would have precluded 1339 the issuance of such waiver without first designating a qualified 1340 individual or branch manager, as the case may be, who meets all 1341 applicable requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection and is 1342 Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 43 of 44 approved by the commissioner. For purposes of this subsection, the 1343 level of offense of the crime and the status of any conviction, pardon or 1344 expungement shall be determined by reference to the law of the 1345 jurisdiction where the case was prosecuted. In the event such 1346 jurisdiction does not use the term "felony", "pardon" or "expungement", 1347 such terms shall include legally equivalent events. For purposes of 1348 subdivision (1) of this subsection, "experience in the mortgage servicing 1349 business" means paid experience in the (I) servicing of mortgage loans, 1350 (II) accounting, receipt and processing of payments on behalf of 1351 mortgagees or creditors, or (III) supervision of such activities, or any 1352 other relevant experience as determined by the commissioner. 1353 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 October 1, 2025 36a-492(c) Sec. 2 October 1, 2025 36a-602(c) Sec. 3 October 1, 2025 36a-664(b) Sec. 4 October 1, 2025 36a-671d(c) Sec. 5 October 1, 2025 36a-802(b) Sec. 6 October 1, 2025 36a-490(b)(2) Sec. 7 October 1, 2025 36a-598(d)(2) Sec. 8 October 1, 2025 36a-658(b) Sec. 9 October 1, 2025 36a-671(i) Sec. 10 October 1, 2025 36a-719a(b) Sec. 11 October 1, 2025 36a-801(i) Sec. 12 October 1, 2025 36a-535(2) Sec. 13 October 1, 2025 36a-718 Sec. 14 October 1, 2025 36a-719c Sec. 15 October 1, 2025 36a-850a Sec. 16 October 1, 2025 36a-51 Sec. 17 October 1, 2025 36a-556(a) Sec. 18 October 1, 2025 36a-715 Sec. 19 October 1, 2025 36a-846 Sec. 20 October 1, 2025 36a-487(d) Sec. 21 from passage 36a-868 Sec. 22 July 1, 2025 36a-870(c) Sec. 23 July 1, 2025 36a-872 Sec. 24 October 1, 2025 36a-856(b) to (g) Substitute Bill No. 1257 LCO 44 of 44 Sec. 25 October 1, 2025 New section Sec. 26 October 1, 2025 36a-498e(b)(1) Sec. 27 October 1, 2025 36a-719h(b) Sec. 28 October 1, 2025 36a-2(72) Sec. 29 October 1, 2025 36a-719(a) Statement of Legislative Commissioners: In Sections 13(d)(2)(C), 23(a)(3)(A) and 24(f)(3)(A), "any provision of this title or of any regulation" was changed to "any provision of this title or any regulation" for conciseness; and in Section 24(b)(2), "required fees or charges and" was changed to "required fees or charges" for clarity. BA Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO