Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 2180
115th Congress(2017-2018)
Christopher's Law
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Nov 30, 2017
Overview
Text
Introduced
Nov 30, 2017
Latest Action
Nov 30, 2017
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
2180
Congress
115
Policy Area
Education
Education
Primary focus of measure is elementary, secondary, or higher education including special education and matters of academic performance, school administration, teaching, educational costs, and student aid.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
New Jersey
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Christopher Bryski Student Loan Protection Act or Christopher's Law

This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a private student loan lender to disclose clearly and conspicuously in writing a cosigner's obligations regarding a private student loan. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) must publish a model form for such disclosure.

The bill prohibits a private student loan lender from taking an adverse action against a borrower (e.g., placing a loan in default or accelerating a loan balance) upon a cosigner's death, disability, or bankruptcy. It also prohibits adverse actions against a cosigner for a borrower's death, disability, or bankruptcy.

The CFPB must establish and a private student loan lender must disclose criteria for releasing a cosigner from a private student loan obligation.

A private student loan lender must also:

  • provide prompt notice of a cosigner's release;
  • allow a borrower to designate a legal representative to make decisions upon the death or disability of such borrower; and
  • ensure a borrower and cosigner receive comprehensive counseling on the terms, conditions, and responsibilities of a private student loan.

Additionally, this bill amendsthe Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the required elements of entrance counseling for a federal student loan borrower to include:

  • conditions for loan discharge upon the death or disability of a borrower,
  • options for loan repayment and forgiveness upon the death or disability of a borrower or cosigner, and
  • obligations of a borrower or cosigner upon the death or disability of a borrower.

It requires clear and conspicuous disclosure of a student's option to designate a legal representative to make decisions about a federal student loan upon such student's death or disability.

Text (1)
November 30, 2017
Actions (2)
11/30/2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
11/30/2017
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:39:21 PM