Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2808
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-36
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-05: Became Public Law No: 119-36.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T02:23:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 2808 – Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act
Purpose
This legislation amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to restrict consumer reporting agencies from sharing consumer reports based on prescreening requests for residential mortgage loans, except under specific conditions. Its goal is to protect consumer privacy by limiting the distribution of credit information in mortgage-related transactions.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Prescreening Rules: Adds a new paragraph to Section 604(c) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681b(c)) that prohibits consumer reporting agencies from furnishing a consumer report to a third party based on a prescreening request for a residential mortgage loan, unless:
- The request involves a firm offer of credit or insurance.
- The third party either:
- Provides certification of the consumer’s authorization, or
- Is the originator or servicer of an existing residential mortgage loan for that consumer, or
- Is an insured depository institution or credit union that holds a current account for the consumer.
- Definitions Added: Clarifies terms such as “credit union,” “insured depository institution,” “residential mortgage loan,” and “servicer” for consistent application.
- Effective Date: The Act takes effect 180 days after enactment.
- GAO Study Requirement: Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study on the value of trigger leads (prescreening data) received via text message, incorporating input from state regulators, mortgage lenders, banks, consumer reporting agencies, and consumers. A report with findings must be submitted to Congress within 12 months of enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces new limitations on the use of prescreening requests under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, expanding consumer protections beyond prior rules that allowed broader sharing of reports for credit offers.
- Establishes explicit exceptions tied to existing relationships (such as current loans or accounts) rather than relying solely on general authorization.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Requires the Government Accountability Office to perform a study and report, potentially informing future oversight of credit reporting practices.
- On Citizens: Strengthens privacy safeguards for individuals seeking home loans by reducing unsolicited sharing of their credit data, though it may limit access to certain mortgage offers.
- On International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Consumer reporting agencies, which face new restrictions on report distribution.
- Mortgage lenders, originators, and servicers, which must meet certification or relationship-based criteria to receive reports.
- Insured depository institutions and credit unions holding consumer accounts.
- Homebuyers and consumers, whose credit information is subject to tighter controls.
- State regulatory agencies and the Comptroller General, involved in the required study.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Enhances consumer data privacy within the existing framework of the Fair Credit Reporting Act without altering core constitutional rights or creating new enforcement mechanisms.
- The mandated GAO study could lead to future policy recommendations on data practices in lending, but the Act itself introduces no major constitutional challenges or broad political shifts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (89)
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8], Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3] and 39 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-05: Became Public Law No: 119-36.
- 2025-09-05: Became Public Law No: 119-36.
- 2025-09-05: Signed by President.
- 2025-09-05: Signed by President.
- 2025-08-25: Presented to President.
- 2025-08-25: Presented to President.
- 2025-08-08: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-08-02: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5522)
- 2025-08-02: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-06-24: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 104.
- 2025-06-23: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-06-23: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2876)
- 2025-06-23: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2876)
- 2025-06-23: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2808.
- 2025-06-23: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2876-2877)
Bill Versions
- Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act — issued 2025-06-23 — PDF (6 pages)
- Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act — issued 2025-08-09 — PDF (2 pages)
- Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (4 pages)
- Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act — issued 2025-06-24 — PDF (6 pages)
- Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act — issued 2025-06-20 — PDF (8 pages)