Responsible Lending Act

Responsible Lending Act - Mortgage Lending Improvements and Uniform National Standards Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to define higher-cost mortgage.

Sets forth related provisions with respect to: (1) requirements for higher-cost mortgages; (2) dispute and error resolution; (3) damages, rescission and liability; (4) State law coordination; (5) State enforcement authority; (6) prepayment penalties and late charges; and (7) consumer counseling.

Expanding Housing Opportunities Through Education and Counseling Act - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish, in the Office of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Office of Housing Counseling. Directs the Office to carry out HUD homeownership and rental counseling functions, including related research, grant administration, public outreach, and development of policy and performance measures.

Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to direct the Secretary to: (1) establish homeownership and rental counseling procedures, and a related a toll-free telephone number and World Wide Web site; (2) certify computer software programs for consumer evaluation of residential mortgage loans; (3) establish a housing counseling multimedia outreach program for vulnerable populations; (4) assist States, local government, and non-profit organizations with consumer education programs about mortgage, refinancing, home equity, or home repair loans; and (5) make grants for State, local government, and nonprofit organization housing counseling assistance.

Requires organizations to use HUD-certified counselors in order to qualify for specified HUD assistance.

Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to: (1) revise the mortgage information booklet; (2) set forth prohibitions on a servicer of a federally related mortgage; and (3) prohibit a creditor from providing a higher-cost mortgage to any consumer without first obtaining a written appraisal of the property.

Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a creditor in certain transactions secured by a residence to establish an escrow or impound account for taxes and hazard insurance payments.

Directs: (1) the Secretary to conduct studies of mortgage servicing fraud, and home loan default and foreclosures; and (2) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an appraisal process study.

Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a national mortgage broker database; and (2) Federal mortgage broker requirements. Sets forth uniform State mortgage broker law guidelines, and states that Federal requirements shall apply to those States that have not enacted uniform laws.

Sets forth liability provisions for intentional unlawful disclosures, with a good faith exception.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov