LANSING – Today the Michigan Senate voted to pass legislation that would offer additional mortgage foreclosure protections for service members. Senate Bill 749, co-sponsored by Senator Barcia, passed by unanimous vote, and now heads to the House for consideration.

“The men and women in our armed forces are performing one of the most noble and important duties of their lives," Sen. Barcia said who has also sponsored legislation (SB 192) to protect service members from losing their jobs. "They should at least be protected them from the distraction and worries about housing challenges while they are gone. We certainly owe them that much and more.”

Under the federal Service Members Civil Relief Act, courts may stay foreclosure proceedings for a period of 90 days after a service member completes their military service. The legislation would expand this to a period of six months, giving veterans ample time to get their finances in order and prevent foreclosure proceedings. The bill would also invalidate a foreclosure by advertisement or the sale of a mortgaged property during that six-month timeframe.

Sen. Barcia has been a staunch supporter of military and veterans' rights throughout his legislative career, including sponsorship of SB 192 and SB 38, a resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide assured funding for veteran health care. The bill is currently in the Committee on Senior Citizen and Veterans' Affairs.

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