House Passes Mortgage Fraud, Foreclosure Rescue Bills

The House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed bills yesterday creating a criminal statute allowing authorities to prosecute mortgage fraud and prohibiting "foreclosure rescue transactions," in which homeowners are tricked into signing over residences to third parties.

The fraud bill, proposed by Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration, passed 116 to 19. The legislation aims to stop misrepresentations from mortgage lenders. The foreclosure rescue bill was approved 135 to 1.

The proposals are part of a package of bills introduced by O'Malley (D) to slow the state's rising rate of foreclosures. The House and Senate passed other foreclosure bills this week.

-- Philip Rucker

Teen Driver Bill Passes Unanimously

A proposal to require parental notification of teenage drivers who commit moving violations, such as speeding, has cleared both chambers of the General Assembly and could soon become law.

The House voted unanimously yesterday to pass the parental notification bill, proposed by Del. Murray D. Levy (D-Charles). The measure is among several addressing teenage drivers after a rash of fatal accidents in the fall involving young drivers in the Washington suburbs.

The Senate has passed a similar bill proposed by Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D-Charles). The two chambers must reconcile differences before legislation can be sent to Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) for his signature.

-- Philip Rucker