Measure Would Extend Post-Military Service Protection Against Foreclosure
Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Vincent Mazzeo, Gordon Johnson, Bruce Land, Bob Andrzejczak, Raj Mukherji and Benjie Wimberly to help military families avoid foreclosure by extending the military post-service protection period to one year passed the Assembly on Thursday.
“Returning servicemen and -women deserve an adequate amount of time to readjust to civilian life and find work,” said Mazzeo (D-Atlantic). “This legislation will help keep military families in their homes by giving them the time and opportunity to catch up financially.”
Current law protects those serving in the military from the sale, foreclosure or seizure of their property during a period of military service and for three months after, unless an order of sale was granted and approved by the court. This bill (A-2462) would extend the post-service period of protection to one year after release or discharge from military service.
“A threat of home or property loss is no way to treat anybody who was willing to risk his or her life for this country,” said Johnson (D-Bergen), who served as a member of the Army Reserve. “Extending this post-service protection period will give those who served the time they need to re-acclimate to civilian life.”
“Returning veterans have a lot to sort out – from reconnecting with their families to finding a job and so much in between,” said Land (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland), a U.S. Army veteran. “This legislation will give them the time they need to focus on transitioning to civilian life.”
“We enjoy an incomparable freedom and democracy because of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and -women on the front lines,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland), also a U.S. Army veteran. “When service members return to their home state of New Jersey, they should not have to face the possibility of losing their homes. Our military must have ample time to get back to work and back on a strong financial footing that will enable them to keep their homes.”
“In our effort to battle homelessness and unemployment among veterans, it’s critical that we make it possible for them to hold on to the houses they live in, the cars they use to get to and from work and the small businesses they launch in hopes of hiring other veterans,” said Mukherji (D-Hudson), who served as a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve. “This bill will make the transition back to life at home just a little bit easier for the men and women who served.”
“Our nation’s veterans have a great deal to adjust to when they come back home,” said Wimberly (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Extending the post-service protection period will reduce some of the stress of that process.”
The bill was passed unanimously by the Assembly.