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Wilcox Legal Group - 2005 BAPCPA
(Continued from Page 1)
SEC. 225. PROTECTION OF EDUCATION SAVINGS IN BANKRUPTCY.
(a) EXCLUSIONS- Section 541 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking `or' at the end;
(B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (9); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
`(5) funds placed in an education individual retirement account (as
defined in section 530(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) not
later than 365 days before the date of the filing of the petition in a
case under this title, but--
`(A) only if
the designated beneficiary of such account was a child, stepchild,
grandchild, or stepgrandchild of the debtor for the taxable year for
which funds were placed in such account;
`(B) only to the extent that such funds--
`(i) are not pledged or promised to any entity in connection with any extension of credit; and
`(ii) are not excess contributions (as described in section 4973(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986); and
`(C) in the case of funds placed in all such accounts having the same
designated beneficiary not earlier than 720 days nor later than 365
days before such date, only so much of such funds as does not exceed
$5,000;
`(6) funds
used to purchase a tuition credit or certificate or contributed to an
account in accordance with section 529(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 under a qualified State tuition program (as defined in
section 529(b)(1) of such Code) not later than 365 days before the date
of the filing of the petition in a case under this title, but--
`(A) only if
the designated beneficiary of the amounts paid or contributed to such
tuition program was a child, stepchild, grandchild, or stepgrandchild
of the debtor for the taxable year for which funds were paid or
contributed;
`(B)
with respect to the aggregate amount paid or contributed to such
program having the same designated beneficiary, only so much of such
amount as does not exceed the total contributions permitted under
section 529(b)(7) of such Code with respect to such beneficiary, as
adjusted beginning on the date of the filing of the petition in a case
under this title by the annual increase or decrease (rounded to the
nearest tenth of 1 percent) in the education expenditure category of
the Consumer Price Index prepared by the Department of Labor; and
`(C)
in the case of funds paid or contributed to such program having the
same designated beneficiary not earlier than 720 days nor later than
365 days before such date, only so much of such funds as does not
exceed $5,000;'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(e) In determining whether any of the relationships specified in
paragraph (5)(A) or (6)(A) of subsection (b) exists, a legally adopted
child of an individual (and a child who is a member of an individual's
household, if placed with such individual by an authorized placement
agency for legal adoption by such individual), or a foster child of an
individual (if such child has as the child's principal place of abode
the home of the debtor and is a member of the debtor's household) shall
be treated as a child of such individual by blood.'.
(b) DEBTOR'S DUTIES- Section 521 of title 11,
United States Code, as amended by section 106, is amended by adding at
the end the following:
`(c) In addition to meeting the requirements under
subsection (a), a debtor shall file with the court a record of any
interest that a debtor has in an education individual retirement
account (as defined in section 530(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986) or under a qualified State tuition program (as defined in
section 529(b)(1) of such Code).'.
SEC. 226. DEFINITIONS.
(a) DEFINITIONS- Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
`(3) `assisted person' means any person whose debts consist primarily
of consumer debts and the value of whose nonexempt property is less
than $150,000;';
(2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
`(4A) `bankruptcy assistance' means any goods or services sold or
otherwise provided to an assisted person with the express or implied
purpose of providing information, advice, counsel, document
preparation, or filing, or attendance at a creditors' meeting or
appearing in a case or proceeding on behalf of another or providing
legal representation with respect to a case or proceeding under this
title;'; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:
`(12A) `debt relief agency' means any person who provides any
bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person in return for the payment
of money or other valuable consideration, or who is a bankruptcy
petition preparer under section 110, but does not include--
`(A) any
person who is an officer, director, employee, or agent of a person who
provides such assistance or of the bankruptcy petition preparer;
`(B) a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
`(C) a creditor of such assisted person, to the extent that the
creditor is assisting such assisted person to restructure any debt owed
by such assisted person to the creditor;
`(D)
a depository institution (as defined in section 3 of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act) or any Federal credit union or State credit
union (as those terms are defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit
Union Act), or any affiliate or subsidiary of such depository
institution or credit union; or
`(E)
an author, publisher, distributor, or seller of works subject to
copyright protection under title 17, when acting in such capacity.'.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT-
Section 104(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting
`101(3),' after `sections' each place it appears.
SEC. 227. RESTRICTIONS ON DEBT RELIEF AGENCIES.
(a) ENFORCEMENT- Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`Sec. 526. Restrictions on debt relief agencies
`(a) A debt relief agency shall not--
`(1) fail to perform any service that such agency informed an assisted
person or prospective assisted person it would provide in connection
with a case or proceeding under this title;
`(2) make any
statement, or counsel or advise any assisted person or prospective
assisted person to make a statement in a document filed in a case or
proceeding under this title, that is untrue and misleading, or that
upon the exercise of reasonable care, should have been known by such
agency to be untrue or misleading;
`(3) misrepresent to
any assisted person or prospective assisted person, directly or
indirectly, affirmatively or by material omission, with respect to--
`(A) the services that such agency will provide to such person; or
`(B) the benefits and risks that may result if such person becomes a debtor in a case under this title; or
`(4) advise an assisted person or prospective assisted person to incur
more debt in contemplation of such person filing a case under this
title or to pay an attorney or bankruptcy petition preparer fee or
charge for services performed as part of preparing for or representing
a debtor in a case under this title.
`(b) Any waiver by any assisted
person of any protection or right provided under this section shall not
be enforceable against the debtor by any Federal or State court or any
other person, but may be enforced against a debt relief agency.
`(c)(1) Any contract for bankruptcy assistance
between a debt relief agency and an assisted person that does not
comply with the material requirements of this section, section 527, or
section 528 shall be void and may not be enforced by any Federal or
State court or by any other person, other than such assisted person.
`(2) Any debt relief agency shall be liable to an
assisted person in the amount of any fees or charges in connection with
providing bankruptcy assistance to such person that such debt relief
agency has received, for actual damages, and for reasonable attorneys'
fees and costs if such agency is found, after notice and a hearing, to
have--
`(A) intentionally or negligently
failed to comply with any provision of this section, section 527, or
section 528 with respect to a case or proceeding under this title for
such assisted person;
`(B) provided
bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person in a case or proceeding
under this title that is dismissed or converted to a case under another
chapter of this title because of such agency's intentional or negligent
failure to file any required document including those specified in
section 521; or
`(C) intentionally or
negligently disregarded the material requirements of this title or the
Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure applicable to such agency.
`(3) In addition to such other
remedies as are provided under State law, whenever the chief law
enforcement officer of a State, or an official or agency designated by
a State, has reason to believe that any person has violated or is
violating this section, the State--
`(A) may bring an action to enjoin such violation;
`(B) may bring an action on behalf of its residents to recover the
actual damages of assisted persons arising from such violation,
including any liability under paragraph (2); and
`(C) in the case of
any successful action under subparagraph (A) or (B), shall be awarded
the costs of the action and reasonable attorneys' fees as determined by
the court.
`(4) The district courts of the
United States for districts located in the State shall have concurrent
jurisdiction of any action under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph
(3).
`(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal
law and in addition to any other remedy provided under Federal or State
law, if the court, on its own motion or on the motion of the United
States trustee or the debtor, finds that a person intentionally
violated this section, or engaged in a clear and consistent pattern or
practice of violating this section, the court may--
`(A) enjoin the violation of such section; or
`(B) impose an appropriate civil penalty against such person.
`(d) No provision of this section, section 527, or section 528 shall--
`(1) annul, alter, affect, or exempt any person subject to such
sections from complying with any law of any State except to the extent
that such law is inconsistent with those sections, and then only to the
extent of the inconsistency; or
`(2) be deemed to limit or curtail the authority or ability--
`(A) of a State or subdivision or instrumentality thereof, to determine
and enforce qualifications for the practice of law under the laws of
that State; or
`(B) of a Federal court to determine and enforce the qualifications for the practice of law before that court.'.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The table of sections for chapter 5 of title
11, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating
to section 525, the following:
`526. Restrictions on debt relief agencies.'.
SEC. 228. DISCLOSURES.
(a) DISCLOSURES- Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 11, United States
Code, as amended by section 227, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
`Sec. 527. Disclosures
`(a) A debt relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person shall provide--
`(1) the written notice required under section 342(b)(1); and
`(2) to the extent not covered in the written notice described in
paragraph (1), and not later than 3 business days after the first date
on which a debt relief agency first offers to provide any bankruptcy
assistance services to an assisted person, a clear and conspicuous
written notice advising assisted persons that--
`(A) all
information that the assisted person is required to provide with a
petition and thereafter during a case under this title is required to
be complete, accurate, and truthful;
`(B)
all assets and all liabilities are required to be completely and
accurately disclosed in the documents filed to commence the case, and
the replacement value of each asset as defined in section 506 must be
stated in those documents where requested after reasonable inquiry to
establish such value;
`(C)
current monthly income, the amounts specified in section 707(b)(2),
and, in a case under chapter 13 of this title, disposable income
(determined in accordance with section 707(b)(2)), are required to be
stated after reasonable inquiry; and
`(D)
information that an assisted person provides during their case may be
audited pursuant to this title, and that failure to provide such
information may result in dismissal of the case under this title or
other sanction, including a criminal sanction.
`(b) A debt relief agency
providing bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person shall provide
each assisted person at the same time as the notices required under
subsection (a)(1) the following statement, to the extent applicable, or
one substantially similar. The statement shall be clear and conspicuous
and shall be in a single document separate from other documents or
notices provided to the assisted person:
`IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BANKRUPTCY ASSISTANCE SERVICES FROM AN ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER.
`If you decide to seek bankruptcy relief, you can represent yourself,
you can hire an attorney to represent you, or you can get help in some
localities from a bankruptcy petition preparer who is not an attorney.
THE LAW REQUIRES AN ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER TO GIVE
YOU A WRITTEN CONTRACT SPECIFYING WHAT THE ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY
PETITION PREPARER WILL DO FOR YOU AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST. Ask to see
the contract before you hire anyone.
`The following information helps you understand
what must be done in a routine bankruptcy case to help you evaluate how
much service you need. Although bankruptcy can be complex, many cases
are routine.
`Before filing a bankruptcy case, either you or
your attorney should analyze your eligibility for different forms of
debt relief available under the Bankruptcy Code and which form of
relief is most likely to be beneficial for you. Be sure you understand
the relief you can obtain and its limitations. To file a bankruptcy
case, documents called a Petition, Schedules and Statement of Financial
Affairs, as well as in some cases a Statement of Intention need to be
prepared correctly and filed with the bankruptcy court. You will have
to pay a filing fee to the bankruptcy court. Once your case starts, you
will have to attend the required first meeting of creditors where you
may be questioned by a court official called a `trustee' and by
creditors.
`If you choose to file a chapter 7 case, you may be
asked by a creditor to reaffirm a debt. You may want help deciding
whether to do so. A creditor is not permitted to coerce you into
reaffirming your debts.
`If you choose to file a chapter 13 case in which
you repay your creditors what you can afford over 3 to 5 years, you may
also want help with preparing your chapter 13 plan and with the
confirmation hearing on your plan which will be before a bankruptcy
judge.
`If you select another type of relief under the
Bankruptcy Code other than chapter 7 or chapter 13, you will want to
find out what should be done from someone familiar with that type of
relief.
`Your bankruptcy case may also involve litigation.
You are generally permitted to represent yourself in litigation in
bankruptcy court, but only attorneys, not bankruptcy petition
preparers, can give you legal advice.'.
`(c) Except to the extent the debt relief agency
provides the required information itself after reasonably diligent
inquiry of the assisted person or others so as to obtain such
information reasonably accurately for inclusion on the petition,
schedules or statement of financial affairs, a debt relief agency
providing bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person, to the extent
permitted by nonbankruptcy law, shall provide each assisted person at
the time required for the notice required under subsection (a)(1)
reasonably sufficient information (which shall be provided in a clear
and conspicuous writing) to the assisted person on how to provide all
the information the assisted person is required to provide under this
title pursuant to section 521, including--
`(1) how to value assets at
replacement value, determine current monthly income, the amounts
specified in section 707(b)(2) and, in a chapter 13 case, how to
determine disposable income in accordance with section 707(b)(2) and
related calculations;
`(2) how to complete
the list of creditors, including how to determine what amount is owed
and what address for the creditor should be shown; and
`(3) how to determine
what property is exempt and how to value exempt property at replacement
value as defined in section 506.
`(d) A debt relief agency shall
maintain a copy of the notices required under subsection (a) of this
section for 2 years after the date on which the notice is given the
assisted person.'.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The table of sections for
chapter 5 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by section 227,
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 526 the
following:
SEC. 229. REQUIREMENTS FOR DEBT RELIEF AGENCIES.
(a) ENFORCEMENT- Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 11, United States
Code, as amended by sections 227 and 228, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
`Sec. 528. Requirements for debt relief agencies
`(a) A debt relief agency shall--
`(1) not later than 5 business days after the first date on which such
agency provides any bankruptcy assistance services to an assisted
person, but prior to such assisted person's petition under this title
being filed, execute a written contract with such assisted person that
explains clearly and conspicuously--
`(A) the services such agency will provide to such assisted person; and
`(B) the fees or charges for such services, and the terms of payment;
`(2) provide the assisted person with a copy of the fully executed and completed contract;
`(3) clearly and conspicuously disclose in any advertisement of
bankruptcy assistance services or of the benefits of bankruptcy
directed to the general public (whether in general media, seminars or
specific mailings, telephonic or electronic messages, or otherwise)
that the services or benefits are with respect to bankruptcy relief
under this title; and
`(4) clearly and
conspicuously use the following statement in such advertisement: `We
are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief
under the Bankruptcy Code.' or a substantially similar statement.
`(b)(1) An advertisement of
bankruptcy assistance services or of the benefits of bankruptcy
directed to the general public includes--
`(A) descriptions of bankruptcy
assistance in connection with a chapter 13 plan whether or not chapter
13 is specifically mentioned in such advertisement; and
`(B) statements such
as `federally supervised repayment plan' or `Federal debt restructuring
help' or other similar statements that could lead a reasonable consumer
to believe that debt counseling was being offered when in fact the
services were directed to providing bankruptcy assistance with a
chapter 13 plan or other form of bankruptcy relief under this title.
`(2) An advertisement, directed to
the general public, indicating that the debt relief agency provides
assistance with respect to credit defaults, mortgage foreclosures,
eviction proceedings, excessive debt, debt collection pressure, or
inability to pay any consumer debt shall--
`(A) disclose clearly and
conspicuously in such advertisement that the assistance may involve
bankruptcy relief under this title; and
`(B) include the
following statement: `We are a debt relief agency. We help people file
for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.' or a substantially
similar statement.'.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The table
of sections for chapter 5 of title 11, United States Code, as amended
by section 227 and 228, is amended by inserting after the item relating
to section 527, the following:
`528. Requirements for debt relief agencies.'.
SEC. 230. GAO STUDY.
(a) STUDY- Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study
of the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost of requiring trustees
appointed under title 11, United States Code, or the bankruptcy courts,
to provide to the Office of Child Support Enforcement promptly after
the commencement of cases by debtors who are individuals under such
title, the names and social security account numbers of such debtors
for the purposes of allowing such Office to determine whether such
debtors have outstanding obligations for child support (as determined
on the basis of information in the Federal Case Registry or other
national database).
(b) REPORT- Not later than 300 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the
President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives a report containing the results of the study required
by subsection (a).
SEC. 231. PROTECTION OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.
(a) LIMITATION- Section 363(b)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the following:
`, except that if the debtor in connection with
offering a product or a service discloses to an individual a policy
prohibiting the transfer of personally identifiable information about
individuals to persons that are not affiliated with the debtor and if
such policy is in effect on the date of the commencement of the case,
then the trustee may not sell or lease personally identifiable
information to any person unless--
`(A) such sale or such lease is consistent with such policy; or
`(B) after appointment of a consumer privacy ombudsman in accordance
with section 332, and after notice and a hearing, the court approves
such sale or such lease--
`(i) giving due consideration to the facts, circumstances, and conditions of such sale or such lease; and
`(ii) finding that no showing was made that such sale or such lease would violate applicable nonbankruptcy law.'.
(b) DEFINITION- Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (41) the following:
`(41A) `personally identifiable information' means--
`(A) if provided by an individual to the debtor in connection with
obtaining a product or a service from the debtor primarily for
personal, family, or household purposes--
`(i) the first name (or initial) and last name of such individual,
whether given at birth or time of adoption, or resulting from a lawful
change of name;
`(ii) the geographical address of a physical place of residence of such individual;
`(iii) an electronic address (including an e-mail address) of such individual;
`(iv) a telephone number dedicated to contacting such individual at such physical place of residence;
`(v) a social security account number issued to such individual; or
`(vi) the account number of a credit card issued to such individual; or
`(B) if identified in connection with 1 or more of the items of information specified in subparagraph (A)--
`(i) a birth date, the number of a certificate of birth or adoption, or a place of birth; or
`(ii) any other information concerning an identified individual that,
if disclosed, will result in contacting or identifying such individual
physically or electronically;'.
SEC. 232. CONSUMER PRIVACY OMBUDSMAN.
(a) CONSUMER PRIVACY OMBUDSMAN- Title 11 of the United States Code is amended by inserting after section 331 the following:
`Sec. 332. Consumer privacy ombudsman
`(a) If a hearing is required under section 363(b)(1)(B), the court
shall order the United States trustee to appoint, not later than 5 days
before the commencement of the hearing, 1 disinterested person (other
than the United States trustee) to serve as the consumer privacy
ombudsman in the case and shall require that notice of such hearing be
timely given to such ombudsman.
`(b) The consumer privacy ombudsman may appear and
be heard at such hearing and shall provide to the court information to
assist the court in its consideration of the facts, circumstances, and
conditions of the proposed sale or lease of personally identifiable
information under section 363(b)(1)(B). Such information may include
presentation of--
`(1) the debtor's privacy policy;
`(2) the potential losses or gains of privacy to consumers if such sale or such lease is approved by the court;
`(3) the potential costs or benefits to consumers if such sale or such lease is approved by the court; and
`(4) the potential alternatives that would mitigate potential privacy losses or potential costs to consumers.
`(c) A consumer privacy ombudsman shall not disclose any personally
identifiable information obtained by the ombudsman under this title.'.
(b) COMPENSATION OF CONSUMER PRIVACY OMBUDSMAN-
Section 330(a)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is amended in the
matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting `a consumer privacy
ombudsman appointed under section 332,' before `an examiner'.
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The table of sections for
subchapter II of chapter 3 of title 11, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following:
`332. Consumer privacy ombudsman.'.
SEC. 233. PROHIBITION ON DISCLOSURE OF NAME OF MINOR CHILDREN.
(a) PROHIBITION- Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended by
section 106, is amended by inserting after section 111 the following:
`Sec. 112. Prohibition on disclosure of name of minor children
`The debtor may be required to provide information regarding a minor
child involved in matters under this title but may not be required to
disclose in the public records in the case the name of such minor
child. The debtor may be required to disclose the name of such minor
child in a nonpublic record that is maintained by the court and made
available by the court for examination by the United States trustee,
the trustee, and the auditor (if any) serving under section 586(f) of
title 28, in the case. The court, the United States trustee, the
trustee, and such auditor shall not disclose the name of such minor
child maintained in such nonpublic record.'.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections for
chapter 1 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by section 106,
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 111 the
following:
`112. Prohibition on disclosure of name of minor children.'.
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 107(a) of title 11, United States
Code, is amended by inserting `and subject to section 112' after
`section'.
SEC. 234. PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION.
(a) Restriction of Public Access to Certain Information Contained in
Bankruptcy Case Files- Section 107 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
`(c)(1) The bankruptcy court, for cause, may
protect an individual, with respect to the following types of
information to the extent the court finds that disclosure of such
information would create undue risk of identity theft or other unlawful
injury to the individual or the individual's property:
`(A) Any means of identification (as
defined in section 1028(d) of title 18) contained in a paper filed, or
to be filed, in a case under this title.
`(B) Other information contained in a paper described in subparagraph (A).
`(2) Upon ex parte application demonstrating cause, the court shall
provide access to information protected pursuant to paragraph (1) to an
entity acting pursuant to the police or regulatory power of a domestic
governmental unit.
`(3) The United States trustee, bankruptcy
administrator, trustee, and any auditor serving under section 586(f) of
title 28--
`(A) shall have full access to all information contained in any paper filed or submitted in a case under this title; and
`(B) shall not disclose information specifically protected by the court under this title.'.
(b) Security of Social Security Account Number of Debtor in Notice to
Creditor- Section 342(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting `last 4 digits of the' before `taxpayer identification number'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: `If the notice concerns an
amendment that adds a creditor to the schedules of assets and
liabilities, the debtor shall include the full taxpayer identification
number in the notice sent to that creditor, but the debtor shall
include only the last 4 digits of the taxpayer identification number in
the copy of the notice filed with the court.'.
(c) Conforming Amendment- Section
107(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking
`subsection (b),' and inserting `subsections (b) and (c),'.
TITLE III--DISCOURAGING BANKRUPTCY ABUSE
SEC. 301. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Section 523(a)(17) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking `by a court' and inserting `on a prisoner by any court';
(2) by striking `section 1915(b) or (f)' and inserting `subsection (b) or (f)(2) of section 1915'; and
(3) by inserting `(or a similar non-Federal law)' after `title 28' each place it appears.
SEC. 302. DISCOURAGING BAD FAITH REPEAT FILINGS.
Section 362(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking `and' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(3) if a single or joint case is filed by or against debtor who is an
individual in a case under chapter 7, 11, or 13, and if a single or
joint case of the debtor was pending within the preceding 1-year period
but was dismissed, other than a case refiled under a chapter other than
chapter 7 after dismissal under section 707(b)--
`(A) the
stay under subsection (a) with respect to any action taken with respect
to a debt or property securing such debt or with respect to any lease
shall terminate with respect to the debtor on the 30th day after the
filing of the later case;
`(B)
on the motion of a party in interest for continuation of the automatic
stay and upon notice and a hearing, the court may extend the stay in
particular cases as to any or all creditors (subject to such conditions
or limitations as the court may then impose) after notice and a hearing
completed before the expiration of the 30-day period only if the party
in interest demonstrates that the filing of the later case is in good
faith as to the creditors to be stayed; and
`(C)
for purposes of subparagraph (B), a case is presumptively filed not in
good faith (but such presumption may be rebutted by clear and
convincing evidence to the contrary)--
`(i) as to all creditors, if--
`(I) more than 1 previous case under any of chapters 7, 11, and 13 in
which the individual was a debtor was pending within the preceding
1-year period;
`(II) a previous case under any of chapters 7, 11, and 13 in which the
individual was a debtor was dismissed within such 1-year period, after
the debtor failed to--
`(aa) file or amend the petition or other documents as required by this
title or the court without substantial excuse (but mere inadvertence or
negligence shall not be a substantial excuse unless the dismissal was
caused by the negligence of the debtor's attorney);
`(bb) provide adequate protection as ordered by the court; or
`(cc) perform the terms of a plan confirmed by the court; or
`(III) there has not been a substantial change in the financial or
personal affairs of the debtor since the dismissal of the next most
previous case under chapter 7, 11, or 13 or any other reason to
conclude that the later case will be concluded--
`(aa) if a case under chapter 7, with a discharge; or
`(bb) if a case under chapter 11 or 13, with a confirmed plan that will be fully performed; and
`(ii) as to any creditor that commenced an action under subsection (d)
in a previous case in which the individual was a debtor if, as of the
date of dismissal of such case, that action was still pending or had
been resolved by terminating, conditioning, or limiting the stay as to
actions of such creditor; and
`(4)(A)(i) if a single or joint case is filed by or against a debtor
who is an individual under this title, and if 2 or more single or joint
cases of the debtor were pending within the previous year but were
dismissed, other than a case refiled under section 707(b), the stay
under subsection (a) shall not go into effect upon the filing of the
later case; and
`(ii) on request of a party in interest, the court shall promptly enter an order confirming that no stay is in effect;
`(B) if, within 30 days after the filing of the later case, a party in
interest requests the court may order the stay to take effect in the
case as to any or all creditors (subject to such conditions or
limitations as the court may impose), after notice and a hearing, only
if the party in interest demonstrates that the filing of the later case
is in good faith as to the creditors to be stayed;
`(C) a stay imposed
under subparagraph (B) shall be effective on the date of the entry of
the order allowing the stay to go into effect; and
`(D) for purposes of
subparagraph (B), a case is presumptively filed not in good faith (but
such presumption may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to
the contrary)--
`(i) as to all creditors if--
`(I) 2 or more previous cases under this title in which the individual was a debtor were pending within the 1-year period;
`(II) a previous case under this title in which the individual was a
debtor was dismissed within the time period stated in this paragraph
after the debtor failed to file or amend the petition or other
documents as required by this title or the court without substantial
excuse (but mere inadvertence or negligence shall not be substantial
excuse unless the dismissal was caused by the negligence of the
debtor's attorney), failed to provide adequate protection as ordered by
the court, or failed to perform the terms of a plan confirmed by the
court; or
`(III) there has not been a substantial change in the financial or
personal affairs of the debtor since the dismissal of the next most
previous case under this title, or any other reason to conclude that
the later case will not be concluded, if a case under chapter 7, with a
discharge, and if a case under chapter 11 or 13, with a confirmed plan
that will be fully performed; or
`(ii) as to any creditor that commenced an action under subsection (d)
in a previous case in which the individual was a debtor if, as of the
date of dismissal of such case, such action was still pending or had
been resolved by terminating, conditioning, or limiting the stay as to
such action of such creditor.'.
SEC. 303. CURBING ABUSIVE FILINGS.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 362(d) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking `or' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; or'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(4) with respect to a stay of an act against real property under
subsection (a), by a creditor whose claim is secured by an interest in
such real property, if the court finds that the filing of the petition
was part of a scheme to delay, hinder, and defraud creditors that
involved either--
`(A)
transfer of all or part ownership of, or other interest in, such real
property without the consent of the secured creditor or court approval;
or
`(B) multiple bankruptcy filings affecting such real property.
If recorded in compliance with applicable State laws governing notices
of interests or liens in real property, an order entered under
paragraph (4) shall be binding in any other case under this title
purporting to affect such real property filed not later than 2 years
after the date of the entry of such order by the court, except that a
debtor in a subsequent case under this title may move for relief from
such order based upon changed circumstances or for good cause shown,
after notice and a hearing. Any Federal, State, or local governmental
unit that accepts notices of interests or liens in real property shall
accept any certified copy of an order described in this subsection for
indexing and recording.'.
(b) AUTOMATIC STAY- Section 362(b) of title 11,
United States Code, as amended by section 224, is amended by inserting
after paragraph (19), the following:
`(20) under subsection (a), of any
act to enforce any lien against or security interest in real property
following entry of the order under subsection (d)(4) as to such real
property in any prior case under this title, for a period of 2 years
after the date of the entry of such an order, except that the debtor,
in a subsequent case under this title, may move for relief from such
order based upon changed circumstances or for other good cause shown,
after notice and a hearing;
`(21) under subsection (a), of any act to enforce any lien against or security interest in real property--
`(A) if the debtor is ineligible under section 109(g) to be a debtor in a case under this title; or
`(B) if the case under this title was filed in violation of a
bankruptcy court order in a prior case under this title prohibiting the
debtor from being a debtor in another case under this title;'.
SEC. 304. DEBTOR RETENTION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY SECURITY.
Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 521(a), as so designated by section 106--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking `, and' at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and'; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
`(6) in a case under chapter 7 of this title in which the debtor is an
individual, not retain possession of personal property as to which a
creditor has an allowed claim for the purchase price secured in whole
or in part by an interest in such personal property unless the debtor,
not later than 45 days after the first meeting of creditors under
section 341(a), either--
`(A) enters
into an agreement with the creditor pursuant to section 524(c) with
respect to the claim secured by such property; or
`(B) redeems such property from the security interest pursuant to section 722.
If the debtor fails to so act within the 45-day period referred to in
paragraph (6), the stay under section 362(a) is terminated with respect
to the personal property of the estate or of the debtor which is
affected, such property shall no longer be property of the estate, and
the creditor may take whatever action as to such property as is
permitted by applicable nonbankruptcy law, unless the court determines
on the motion of the trustee filed before the expiration of such 45-day
period, and after notice and a hearing, that such property is of
consequential value or benefit to the estate, orders appropriate
adequate protection of the creditor's interest, and orders the debtor
to deliver any collateral in the debtor's possession to the trustee.';
and
(2) in section 722, by inserting `in full at the time of redemption' before the period at the end.
SEC. 305. RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY WHEN THE DEBTOR DOES NOT COMPLETE INTENDED SURRENDER OF CONSUMER DEBT COLLATERAL.
Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 362, as amended by section 106--
(A) in subsection (c), by striking `(e), and (f)' and inserting `(e), (f), and (h)';
(B) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (k) and transferring
such subsection so as to insert it after subsection (j) as added by
section 106; and
(C) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
`(h)(1) In a case in which the debtor is an individual, the stay
provided by subsection (a) is terminated with respect to personal
property of the estate or of the debtor securing in whole or in part a
claim, or subject to an unexpired lease, and such personal property
shall no longer be property of the estate if the debtor fails within
the applicable time set by section 521(a)(2)--
`(A) to file timely any statement of
intention required under section 521(a)(2) with respect to such
personal property or to indicate in such statement that the debtor will
either surrender such personal property or retain it and, if retaining
such personal property, either redeem such personal property pursuant
to section 722, enter into an agreement of the kind specified in
section 524(c) applicable to the debt secured by such personal
property, or assume such unexpired lease pursuant to section 365(p) if
the trustee does not do so, as applicable; and
`(B) to take timely
the action specified in such statement, as it may be amended before
expiration of the period for taking action, unless such statement
specifies the debtor's intention to reaffirm such debt on the original
contract terms and the creditor refuses to agree to the reaffirmation
on such terms.
`(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if
the court determines, on the motion of the trustee filed before the
expiration of the applicable time set by section 521(a)(2), after
notice and a hearing, that such personal property is of consequential
value or benefit to the estate, and orders appropriate adequate
protection of the creditor's interest, and orders the debtor to deliver
any collateral in the debtor's possession to the trustee. If the court
does not so determine, the stay provided by subsection (a) shall
terminate upon the conclusion of the hearing on the motion.'; and
(2) in section 521, as amended by sections 106 and 225--
(A) in subsection (a)(2) by striking `consumer';
(B) in subsection (a)(2)(B)--
(i) by striking `forty-five days after the filing of a notice of intent
under this section' and inserting `30 days after the first date set for
the meeting of creditors under section 341(a)'; and
(ii) by striking `forty-five day' and inserting `30-day';
(C) in subsection (a)(2)(C) by inserting `, except as provided in section 362(h)' before the semicolon; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
`(d) If the debtor fails timely to take the action specified in
subsection (a)(6) of this section, or in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
section 362(h), with respect to property which a lessor or bailor owns
and has leased, rented, or bailed to the debtor or as to which a
creditor holds a security interest not otherwise voidable under section
522(f), 544, 545, 547, 548, or 549, nothing in this title shall prevent
or limit the operation of a provision in the underlying lease or
agreement that has the effect of placing the debtor in default under
such lease or agreement by reason of the occurrence, pendency, or
existence of a proceeding under this title or the insolvency of the
debtor. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to justify limiting
such a provision in any other circumstance.'.
SEC. 306. GIVING SECURED CREDITORS FAIR TREATMENT IN CHAPTER 13.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 1325(a)(5)(B)(i) of title 11, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
`(i) the plan provides that--
`(I) the holder of such claim retain the lien securing such claim until the earlier of--
`(aa) the payment of the underlying debt determined under nonbankruptcy law; or
`(bb) discharge under section 1328; and
`(II) if the case under this chapter is dismissed or converted without
completion of the plan, such lien shall also be retained by such holder
to the extent recognized by applicable nonbankruptcy law; and'.
(b)
RESTORING THE FOUNDATION FOR SECURED CREDIT- Section 1325(a) of title
11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`For purposes of paragraph (5), section 506 shall
not apply to a claim described in that paragraph if the creditor has a
purchase money security interest securing the debt that is the subject
of the claim, the debt was incurred within the 910-day preceding the
date of the filing of the petition, and the collateral for that debt
consists of a motor vehicle (as defined in section 30102 of title 49)
acquired for the personal use of the debtor, or if collateral for that
debt consists of any other thing of value, if the debt was incurred
during the 1-year period preceding that filing.'.
(c) DEFINITIONS- Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following:
`(13A) `debtor's principal residence'--
`(A) means a residential structure, including incidental property,
without regard to whether that structure is attached to real property;
and
`(B) includes an individual condominium or cooperative unit, a mobile or manufactured home, or trailer;'; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (27), the following:
`(27A) `incidental property' means, with respect to a debtor's principal residence--
`(A) property commonly conveyed with a principal residence in the area where the real property is located;
`(B) all easements, rights, appurtenances, fixtures, rents, royalties,
mineral rights, oil or gas rights or profits, water rights, escrow
funds, or insurance proceeds; and
`(C) all replacements or additions;'.
SEC. 307. DOMICILIARY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXEMPTIONS.
Section 522(b)(3) of title 11, United States Code, as so designated by section 106, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking `180 days' and inserting `730 days'; and
(B) by striking `, or for a longer portion of such 180-day period than
in any other place' and inserting `or if the debtor's domicile has not
been located at a single State for such 730-day period, the place in
which the debtor's domicile was located for 180 days immediately
preceding the 730-day period or for a longer portion of such 180-day
period than in any other place'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`If the effect of the domiciliary requirement under subparagraph (A) is
to render the debtor ineligible for any exemption, the debtor may elect
to exempt property that is specified under subsection (d).'.
SEC. 308. REDUCTION OF HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR FRAUD.
Section 522 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by section 224, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(3)(A), as so designated by this Act, by inserting
`subject to subsections (o) and (p),' before `any property'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(o) For purposes of subsection (b)(3)(A), and notwithstanding subsection (a), the value of an interest in--
`(1) real or personal property that the debtor or a dependent of the debtor uses as a residence;
`(2) a cooperative that owns property that the debtor or a dependent of the debtor uses as a residence;
`(3) a burial plot for the debtor or a dependent of the debtor; or
`(4) real or personal property that the debtor or a dependent of the debtor claims as a homestead;
shall be reduced to the extent that such value is attributable to any
portion of any property that the debtor disposed of in the 10-year
period ending on the date of the filing of the petition with the intent
to hinder, delay, or defraud a creditor and that the debtor could not
exempt, or that portion that the debtor could not exempt, under
subsection (b), if on such date the debtor had held the property so
disposed of.'.
SEC. 309. PROTECTING SECURED CREDITORS IN CHAPTER 13 CASES.
(a) STOPPING ABUSIVE CONVERSIONS FROM CHAPTER 13- Section 348(f)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking `and' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) by striking `in the converted case, with allowed secured claims'
and inserting `only in a case converted to a case under chapter 11 or
12, but not in a case converted to a case under chapter 7, with allowed
secured claims in cases under chapters 11 and 12'; and
(B) by striking the period and inserting `; and'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(C) with respect to cases converted from chapter 13--
`(i) the claim of any creditor holding security as of the date of the
petition shall continue to be secured by that security unless the full
amount of such claim determined under applicable nonbankruptcy law has
been paid in full as of the date of conversion, notwithstanding any
valuation or determination of the amount of an allowed secured claim
made for the purposes of the case under chapter 13; and
`(ii) unless a prebankruptcy default has been fully cured under the
plan at the time of conversion, in any proceeding under this title or
otherwise, the default shall have the effect given under applicable
nonbankruptcy law.'.
(b) GIVING DEBTORS THE
ABILITY TO KEEP LEASED PERSONAL PROPERTY BY ASSUMPTION- Section 365 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
`(p)(1) If a lease of personal property is rejected
or not timely assumed by the trustee under subsection (d), the leased
property is no longer property of the estate and the stay under section
362(a) is automatically terminated.
`(2)(A) If the debtor in a case under chapter 7 is
an individual, the debtor may notify the creditor in writing that the
debtor desires to assume the lease. Upon being so notified, the
creditor may, at its option, notify the debtor that it is willing to
have the lease assumed by the debtor and may condition such assumption
on cure of any outstanding default on terms set by the contract.
`(B) If, not later than 30 days after notice is
provided under subparagraph (A), the debtor notifies the lessor in
writing that the lease is assumed, the liability under the lease will
be assumed by the debtor and not by the estate.
`(C) The stay under section 362 and the injunction
under section 524(a)(2) shall not be violated by notification of the
debtor and negotiation of cure under this subsection.
`(3) In a case under chapter 11 in which the debtor
is an individual and in a case under chapter 13, if the debtor is the
lessee with respect to personal property and the lease is not assumed
in the plan confirmed by the court, the lease is deemed rejected as of
the conclusion of the hearing on confirmation. If the lease is
rejected, the stay under section 362 and any stay under section 1301 is
automatically terminated with respect to the property subject to the
lease.'.
(c) ADEQUATE PROTECTION OF LESSORS AND PURCHASE MONEY SECURED CREDITORS-
(1) CONFIRMATION OF PLAN- Section 1325(a)(5)(B) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by section 306, is amended--
(A) in clause (i), by striking `and' at the end;
(B) in clause (ii), by striking `or' at the end and inserting `and'; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
`(I) property to be distributed pursuant to this subsection is in the
form of periodic payments, such payments shall be in equal monthly
amounts; and
`(II) the holder of the claim is secured by personal property, the
amount of such payments shall not be less than an amount sufficient to
provide to the holder of such claim adequate protection during the
period of the plan; or'.
(2) PAYMENTS- Section 1326(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
`(a)(1) Unless the court orders otherwise, the debtor shall commence
making payments not later than 30 days after the date of the filing of
the plan or the order for relief, whichever is earlier, in the amount--
`(A) proposed by the plan to the trustee;
`(B) scheduled in a lease of personal property directly to the lessor
for that portion of the obligation that becomes due after the order for
relief, reducing the payments under subparagraph (A) by the amount so
paid and providing the trustee with evidence of such payment, including
the amount and date of payment; and
`(C) that provides
adequate protection directly to a creditor holding an allowed claim
secured by personal property to the extent the claim is attributable to
the purchase of such property by the debtor for that portion of the
obligation that becomes due after the order for relief, reducing the
payments under subparagraph (A) by the amount so paid and providing the
trustee with evidence of such payment, including the amount and date of
payment.
`(2) A payment made under paragraph
(1)(A) shall be retained by the trustee until confirmation or denial of
confirmation. If a plan is confirmed, the trustee shall distribute any
such payment in accordance with the plan as soon as is practicable. If
a plan is not confirmed, the trustee shall return any such payments not
previously paid and not yet due and owing to creditors pursuant to
paragraph (3) to the debtor, after deducting any unpaid claim allowed
under section 503(b).
`(3) Subject to section 363, the court may, upon
notice and a hearing, modify, increase, or reduce the payments required
under this subsection pending confirmation of a plan.
`(4) Not later than 60 days after the date of
filing of a case under this chapter, a debtor retaining possession of
personal property subject to a lease or securing a claim attributable
in whole or in part to the purchase price of such property shall
provide the lessor or secured creditor reasonable evidence of the
maintenance of any required insurance coverage with respect to the use
or ownership of such property and continue to do so for so long as the
debtor retains possession of such property.'.
SEC. 310. LIMITATION ON LUXURY GOODS.
Section 523(a)(2)(C) of title 11, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
`(C)(i) for purposes of subparagraph (A)--
`(I) consumer debts owed to a single creditor and aggregating more than
$500 for luxury goods or services incurred by an individual debtor on
or within 90 days before the order for relief under this title are
presumed to be nondischargeable; and
`(II) cash advances aggregating more than $750 that are extensions of
consumer credit under an open end credit plan obtained by an individual
debtor on or within 70 days before the order for relief under this
title, are presumed to be nondischargeable; and
`(ii) for purposes of this subparagraph--
`(I) the terms `consumer', `credit', and `open end credit plan' have
the same meanings as in section 103 of the Truth in Lending Act; and
`(II) the term `luxury goods or services' does not include goods or
services reasonably necessary for the support or maintenance of the
debtor or a dependent of the debtor.'.
SEC. 311. AUTOMATIC STAY.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 362(b) of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by sections 224 and 303, is amended by inserting after
paragraph (21), the following:
`(22) subject to subsection (l),
under subsection (a)(3), of the continuation of any eviction, unlawful
detainer action, or similar proceeding by a lessor against a debtor
involving residential property in which the debtor resides as a tenant
under a lease or rental agreement and with respect to which the lessor
has obtained before the date of the filing of the bankruptcy petition,
a judgment for possession of such property against the debtor;
`(23) subject to
subsection (m), under subsection (a)(3), of an eviction action that
seeks possession of the residential property in which the debtor
resides as a tenant under a lease or rental agreement based on
endangerment of such property or the illegal use of controlled
substances on such property, but only if the lessor files with the
court, and serves upon the debtor, a certification under penalty of
perjury that such an eviction action has been filed, or that the
debtor, during the 30-day period preceding the date of the filing of
the certification, has endangered property or illegally used or allowed
to be used a controlled substance on the property;
`(24) under subsection
(a), of any transfer that is not avoidable under section 544 and that
is not avoidable under section 549;'.
(b) LIMITATIONS- Section 362 of
title 11, United States Code, as amended by sections 106 and 305, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
`(l)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, subsection (b)(22) shall apply on the date that is 30 days
after the date on which the bankruptcy petition is filed, if the debtor
files with the petition and serves upon the lessor a certification
under penalty of perjury that--
`(A) under nonbankruptcy law
applicable in the jurisdiction, there are circumstances under which the
debtor would be permitted to cure the entire monetary default that gave
rise to the judgment for possession, after that judgment for possession
was entered; and
`(B) the debtor (or an
adult dependent of the debtor) has deposited with the clerk of the
court, any rent that would become due during the 30-day period after
the filing of the bankruptcy petition.
`(2) If, within the 30-day period
after the filing of the bankruptcy petition, the debtor (or an adult
dependent of the debtor) complies with paragraph (1) and files with the
court and serves upon the lessor a further certification under penalty
of perjury that the debtor (or an adult dependent of the debtor) has
cured, under nonbankrupcty law applicable in the jurisdiction, the
entire monetary default that gave rise to the judgment under which
possession is sought by the lessor, subsection (b)(22) shall not apply,
unless ordered to apply by the court under paragraph (3).
`(3)(A) If the lessor files an objection to any
certification filed by the debtor under paragraph (1) or (2), and
serves such objection upon the debtor, the court shall hold a hearing
within 10 days after the filing and service of such objection to
determine if the certification filed by the debtor under paragraph (1)
or (2) is true.
`(B) If the court upholds the objection of the lessor filed under subparagraph (A)--
`(i) subsection (b)(22) shall apply immediately and relief from the
stay provided under subsection (a)(3) shall not be required to enable
the lessor to complete the process to recover full possession of the
property; and
`(ii) the clerk of the
court shall immediately serve upon the lessor and the debtor a
certified copy of the court's order upholding the lessor's objection.
`(4) If a debtor, in accordance with
paragraph (5), indicates on the petition that there was a judgment for
possession of the residential rental property in which the debtor
resides and does not file a certification under paragraph (1) or (2)--
`(A) subsection (b)(22) shall apply
immediately upon failure to file such certification, and relief from
the stay provided under subsection (a)(3) shall not be required to
enable the lessor to complete the process to recover full possession of
the property; and
`(B) the clerk of the
court shall immediately serve upon the lessor and the debtor a
certified copy of the docket indicating the absence of a filed
certification and the applicability of the exception to the stay under
subsection (b)(22).
`(5)(A) Where a judgment for
possession of residential property in which the debtor resides as a
tenant under a lease or rental agreement has been obtained by the
lessor, the debtor shall so indicate on the bankruptcy petition and
shall provide the name and address of the lessor that obtained that
pre-petition judgment on the petition and on any certification filed
under this subsection.
`(B) The form of certification filed with the
petition, as specified in this subsection, shall provide for the debtor
to certify, and the debtor shall certify--
`(i) whether a judgment for
possession of residential rental housing in which the debtor resides
has been obtained against the debtor before the date of the filing of
the petition; and
`(ii) whether the
debtor is claiming under paragraph (1) that under nonbankruptcy law
applicable in the jurisdiction, there are circumstances under which the
debtor would be permitted to cure the entire monetary default that gave
rise to the judgment for possession, after that judgment of possession
was entered, and has made the appropriate deposit with the court.
`(C) The standard forms (electronic
and otherwise) used in a bankruptcy proceeding shall be amended to
reflect the requirements of this subsection.
`(D) The clerk of the court shall arrange for the
prompt transmittal of the rent deposited in accordance with paragraph
(1)(B) to the lessor.
`(m)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, subsection (b)(23) shall apply on the date that is 15 days
after the date on which the lessor files and serves a certification
described in subsection (b)(23).
`(2)(A) If the debtor files with the court an
objection to the truth or legal sufficiency of the certification
described in subsection (b)(23) and serves such objection upon the
lessor, subsection (b)(23) shall not apply, unless ordered to apply by
the court under this subsection.
`(B) If the debtor files and serves the objection
under subparagraph (A), the court shall hold a hearing within 10 days
after the filing and service of such objection to determine if the
situation giving rise to the lessor's certification under paragraph (1)
existed or has been remedied.
`(C) If the debtor can demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the court that the situation giving rise to the
lessor's certification under paragraph (1) did not exist or has been
remedied, the stay provided under subsection (a)(3) shall remain in
effect until the termination of the stay under this section.
`(D) If the debtor cannot demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the court that the situation giving rise to the
lessor's certification under paragraph (1) did not exist or has been
remedied--
`(i) relief from the stay provided
under subsection (a)(3) shall not be required to enable the lessor to
proceed with the eviction; and
`(ii) the clerk of the
court shall immediately serve upon the lessor and the debtor a
certified copy of the court's order upholding the lessor's
certification.
`(3) If the debtor fails to file, within 15 days, an objection under paragraph (2)(A)--
`(A) subsection (b)(23) shall apply immediately upon such failure and
relief from the stay provided under subsection (a)(3) shall not be
required to enable the lessor to complete the process to recover full
possession of the property; and
`(B) the clerk of the
court shall immediately serve upon the lessor and the debtor a
certified copy of the docket indicating such failure.'.
SEC. 312. EXTENSION OF PERIOD BETWEEN BANKRUPTCY DISCHARGES.
Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 727(a)(8), by striking `six' and inserting `8'; and
(2) in section 1328, by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
`(f) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the court shall not grant
a discharge of all debts provided for in the plan or disallowed under
section 502, if the debtor has received a discharge--
`(1) in a case filed under chapter 7,
11, or 12 of this title during the 4-year period preceding the date of
the order for relief under this chapter, or
`(2) in a case filed under chapter 13 of this title during the 2-year period preceding the date of such order.'.
SEC. 313. DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND ANTIQUES.
(a) DEFINITION- Section 522(f) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(4)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), for purposes of paragraph (1)(B), the term `household goods' means--
`(xi) educational materials and educational equipment primarily for the use of minor dependent children of the debtor;
(xii) medical equipment and supplies;
`(xiii) furniture exclusively for the use of minor children, or elderly or disabled dependents of the debtor;
`(xiv) personal effects (including the toys and hobby equipment of
minor dependent children and wedding rings) of the debtor and the
dependents of the debtor; and
`(xv) 1 personal computer and related equipment.
`(B) The term `household goods' does not include--
`(i) works of art (unless by or of the debtor, or any relative of the debtor);
`(ii) electronic entertainment equipment with a fair market value of
more than $500 in the aggregate (except 1 television, 1 radio, and 1
VCR);
`(iii) items acquired as antiques with a fair market value of more than $500 in the aggregate;
`(iv) jewelry with a fair market value of more than $500 in the aggregate (except wedding rings); and
`(v) a computer (except as otherwise provided for in this section),
motor vehicle (including a tractor or lawn tractor), boat, or a
motorized recreational device, conveyance, vehicle, watercraft, or
aircraft.'.
(b) STUDY- Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Executive
Office for United States Trustees shall submit a report to the
Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the House of Representatives containing its findings
regarding utilization of the definition of household goods, as defined
in section 522(f)(4) of title 11, United States Code, as added by
subsection (a), with respect to the avoidance of nonpossessory,
nonpurchase money security interests in household goods under section
522(f)(1)(B) of title 11, United States Code, and the impact such
section 522(f)(4) has had on debtors and on the bankruptcy courts. Such
report may include recommendations for amendments to such section
522(f)(4) consistent with the Director's findings.
SEC. 314. DEBT INCURRED TO PAY NONDISCHARGEABLE DEBTS.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 523(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (14) the following:
`(14A) incurred to pay a tax to a governmental unit, other than the
United States, that would be nondischargeable under paragraph (1);'.
(b) DISCHARGE UNDER CHAPTER 13-
Section 1328(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking
paragraphs (1) through (3) and inserting the following:
`(1) provided for under section 1322(b)(5);
`(2) of the kind specified in paragraph (2), (3), (4), (5), (8), or (9) of section 523(a);
`(3) for restitution, or a criminal fine, included in a sentence on the debtor's conviction of a crime; or
`(4) for restitution, or damages, awarded in a civil action against the
debtor as a result of willful or malicious injury by the debtor that
caused personal injury to an individual or the death of an
individual.'.
SEC. 315. GIVING CREDITORS FAIR NOTICE IN CHAPTERS 7 AND 13 CASES.
(a) NOTICE- Section 342 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by section 102, is amended--
(A) by inserting `(1)' after `(c)';
(B) by striking `, but the failure of such notice to contain such
information shall not invalidate the legal effect of such notice'; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
`(2)(A) If, within the 90 days before the commencement of a voluntary
case, a creditor supplies the debtor in at least 2 communications sent
to the debtor with the current account number of the debtor and the
address at which such creditor requests to receive correspondence, then
any notice required by this title to be sent by the debtor to such
creditor shall be sent to such address and shall include such account
number.
`(B) If a creditor would be in violation of
applicable nonbankruptcy law by sending any such communication within
such 90-day period and if such creditor supplies the debtor in the last
2 communications with the current account number of the debtor and the
address at which such creditor requests to receive correspondence, then
any notice required by this title to be sent by the debtor to such
creditor shall be sent to such address and shall include such account
number.'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(e)(1) In a case under chapter 7 or 13 of this title of a debtor who
is an individual, a creditor at any time may both file with the court
and serve on the debtor a notice of address to be used to provide
notice in such case to such creditor.
`(2) Any notice in such case required to be
provided to such creditor by the debtor or the court later than 5 days
after the court and the debtor receive such creditor's notice of
address, shall be provided to such address.
`(f)(1) An entity may file with any bankruptcy
court a notice of address to be used by all the bankruptcy courts or by
particular bankruptcy courts, as so specified by such entity at the
time such notice is filed, to provide notice to such entity in all
cases under chapters 7 and 13 pending in the courts with respect to
which such notice is filed, in which such entity is a creditor.
`(2) In any case filed under chapter 7 or 13, any
notice required to be provided by a court with respect to which a
notice is filed under paragraph (1), to such entity later than 30 days
after the filing of such notice under paragraph (1) shall be provided
to such address unless with respect to a particular case a different
address is specified in a notice filed and served in accordance with
subsection (e).
`(3) A notice filed under paragraph (1) may be withdrawn by such entity.
`(g)(1) Notice provided to a creditor by the debtor or the court other
than in accordance with this section (excluding this subsection) shall
not be effective notice until such notice is brought to the attention
of such creditor. If such creditor designates a person or an
organizational subdivision of such creditor to be responsible for
receiving notices under this title and establishes reasonable
procedures so that such notices receivable by such creditor are to be
delivered to such person or such subdivision, then a notice provided to
such creditor other than in accordance with this section (excluding
this subsection) shall not be considered to have been brought to the
attention of such creditor until such notice is received by such person
or such subdivision.
`(2) A monetary penalty may not be imposed on a
creditor for a violation of a stay in effect under section 362(a)
(including a monetary penalty imposed under section 362(k)) or for
failure to comply with section 542 or 543 unless the conduct that is
the basis of such violation or of such failure occurs after such
creditor receives notice effective under this section of the order for
relief.'.
(b) DEBTOR'S DUTIES- Section 521 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by sections 106, 225, and 305, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), as so designated by section 106, by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
`(A) a list of creditors; and
`(B) unless the court orders otherwise--
`(i) a schedule of assets and liabilities;
`(ii) a schedule of current income and current expenditures;
`(iii) a statement of the debtor's financial affairs and, if section 342(b) applies, a certificate--
`(I) of an attorney whose name is indicated on the petition as the
attorney for the debtor, or a bankruptcy petition preparer signing the
petition under section 110(b)(1), indicating that such attorney or the
bankruptcy petition preparer delivered to the debtor the notice
required by section 342(b); or
`(II) if no attorney is so indicated, and no bankruptcy petition
preparer signed the petition, of the debtor that such notice was
received and read by the debtor;
`(iv) copies of all payment advices or other evidence of payment
received within 60 days before the date of the filing of the petition,
by the debtor from any employer of the debtor;
`(v) a statement of the amount of monthly net income, itemized to show how the amount is calculated; and
`(vi) a statement disclosing any reasonably anticipated increase in
income or expenditures over the 12-month period following the date of
the filing of the petition;'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(e)(1) If the debtor in a case under chapter 7 or 13 is an individual
and if a creditor files with the court at any time a request to receive
a copy of the petition, schedules, and statement of financial affairs
filed by the debtor, then the court shall make such petition, such
schedules, and such statement available to such creditor.
`(2)(A) The debtor shall provide--
`(i) not later than 7 days before the date first set for the first
meeting of creditors, to the trustee a copy of the Federal income tax
return required under applicable law (or at the election of the debtor,
a transcript of such return) for the most recent tax year ending
immediately before the commencement of the case and for which a Federal
income tax return was filed; and
`(ii) at the same time
the debtor complies with clause (i), a copy of such return (or if
elected under clause (i), such transcript) to any creditor that timely
requests such copy.
`(B) If the debtor fails to comply
with clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A), the court shall dismiss
the case unless the debtor demonstrates that the failure to so comply
is due to circumstances beyond the control of the debtor.
`(C) If a creditor requests a copy of such tax
return or such transcript and if the debtor fails to provide a copy of
such tax return or such transcript to such creditor at the time the
debtor provides such tax return or such transcript to the trustee, then
the court shall dismiss the case unless the debtor demonstrates that
the failure to provide a copy of such tax return or such transcript is
due to circumstances beyond the control of the debtor.
`(3) If a creditor in a case under chapter 13 files
with the court at any time a request to receive a copy of the plan
filed by the debtor, then the court shall make available to such
creditor a copy of the plan--
`(A) at a reasonable cost; and
`(B) not later than 5 days after such request is filed.
`(f) At the request of the court, the United States trustee, or any
party in interest in a case under chapter 7, 11, or 13, a debtor who is
an individual shall file with the court--
`(1) at the same time filed with the
taxing authority, a copy of each Federal income tax return required
under applicable law (or at the election of the debtor, a transcript of
such tax return) with respect to each tax year of the debtor ending
while the case is pending under such chapter;
`(2) at the same time
filed with the taxing authority, each Federal income tax return
required under applicable law (or at the election of the debtor, a
transcript of such tax return) that had not been filed with such
authority as of the date of the commencement of the case and that was
subsequently filed for any tax year of the debtor ending in the 3-year
period ending on the date of the commencement of the case;
`(3) a copy of each
amendment to any Federal income tax return or transcript filed with the
court under paragraph (1) or (2); and
`(4) in a case under chapter 13--
`(A) on the date that is either 90 days after the end of such tax year
or 1 year after the date of the commencement of the case, whichever is
later, if a plan is not confirmed before such later date; and
`(B)
annually after the plan is confirmed and until the case is closed, not
later than the date that is 45 days before the anniversary of the
confirmation of the plan;
a statement,
under penalty of perjury, of the income and expenditures of the debtor
during the tax year of the debtor most recently concluded before such
statement is filed under this paragraph, and of the monthly income of
the debtor, that shows how income, expenditures, and monthly income are
calculated.
`(g)(1) A statement referred to in subsection (f)(4) shall disclose--
`(A) the amount and sources of the income of the debtor;
`(B) the identity of any person responsible with the debtor for the support of any dependent of the debtor; and
`(C) the identity of any person who contributed, and the amount contributed, to the household in which the debtor resides.
`(2) The tax returns, amendments, and statement of income and
expenditures described in subsections (e)(2)(A) and (f) shall be
available to the United States trustee (or the bankruptcy
administrator, if any), the trustee, and any party in interest for
inspection and copying, subject to the requirements of section 315(c)
of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
`(h) If requested by the United States trustee or by the trustee, the debtor shall provide--
`(1) a document that establishes the identity of the debtor, including
a driver's license, passport, or other document that contains a
photograph of the debtor; or
`(2) such other personal identifying information relating to the debtor that establishes the identity of the debtor.'.
(c)(1) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States
Courts shall establish procedures for safeguarding the confidentiality
of any tax information required to be provided under this section.
(2) The procedures under paragraph (1) shall
include restrictions on creditor access to tax information that is
required to be provided under this section.
(3) Not later than 540 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Administrative Office of the
United States Courts shall prepare and submit to the President pro
tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a
report that--
(A) assesses the effectiveness of the procedures established under paragraph (1); and
(B) if appropriate, includes proposed legislation to--
(i) further protect the confidentiality of tax information; and
(ii) provide penalties for the improper use by any person of the tax
information required to be provided under this section.
SEC. 316. DISMISSAL FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE SCHEDULES OR PROVIDE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
Section 521 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by sections
106, 225, 305, and 315, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(i)(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4) and
notwithstanding section 707(a), if an individual debtor in a voluntary
case under chapter 7 or 13 fails to file all of the information
required under subsection (a)(1) within 45 days after the date of the
filing of the petition, the case shall be automatically dismissed
effective on the 46th day after the date of the filing of the petition.
`(2) Subject to paragraph (4) and with respect to a
case described in paragraph (1), any party in interest may request the
court to enter an order dismissing the case. If requested, the court
shall enter an order of dismissal not later than 5 days after such
request.
`(3) Subject to paragraph (4) and upon request of
the debtor made within 45 days after the date of the filing of the
petition described in paragraph (1), the court may allow the debtor an
additional period of not to exceed 45 days to file the information
required under subsection (a)(1) if the court finds justification for
extending the period for the filing.
`(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
subsection, on the motion of the trustee filed before the expiration of
the applicable period of time specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3),
and after notice and a hearing, the court may decline to dismiss the
case if the court finds that the debtor attempted in good faith to file
all the information required by subsection (a)(1)(B)(iv) and that the
best interests of creditors would be served by administration of the
case.'.
SEC. 317. ADEQUATE TIME TO PREPARE FOR HEARING ON CONFIRMATION OF THE PLAN.
Section 1324 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking `After' and inserting the following:
`(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and after'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(b) The hearing on confirmation of the plan may be held not earlier
than 20 days and not later than 45 days after the date of the meeting
of creditors under section 341(a), unless the court determines that it
would be in the best interests of the creditors and the estate to hold
such hearing at an earlier date and there is no objection to such
earlier date.'.
SEC. 318. CHAPTER 13 PLANS TO HAVE A 5-YEAR DURATION IN CERTAIN CASES.
Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending section 1322(d) to read as follows:
`(d)(1) If the current monthly income of the debtor and the debtor's
spouse combined, when multiplied by 12, is not less than--
`(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner;
`(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 individuals,
the highest median family income of the applicable State for a family
of the same number or fewer individuals; or
`(C) in the case of a
debtor in a household exceeding 4 individuals, the highest median
family income of the applicable State for a family of 4 or fewer
individuals, plus $525 per month for each individual in excess of 4,
the plan may not provide for payments over a period that is longer than 5 years.
`(2) If the current monthly income of the debtor and the debtor's spouse combined, when multiplied by 12, is less than--
`(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner;
`(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 individuals,
the highest median family income of the applicable State for a family
of the same number or fewer individuals; or
`(C) in the case of a
debtor in a household exceeding 4 individuals, the highest median
family income of the applicable State for a family of 4 or fewer
individuals, plus $525 per month for each individual in excess of 4,
the plan may not provide for
payments over a period that is longer than 3 years, unless the court,
for cause, approves a longer period, but the court may not approve a
period that is longer than 5 years.';
(2) in section 1325(b)(1)(B), by striking `three-year period' and inserting `applicable commitment period'; and
(3) in section 1325(b), as amended by section 102, by adding at the end the following:
`(4) For purposes of this subsection, the `applicable commitment period'--
`(A) subject to subparagraph (B), shall be--
`(ii) not less than 5 years, if the current monthly income of the
debtor and the debtor's spouse combined, when multiplied by 12, is not
less than--
`(I) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner;
`(II) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 individuals,
the highest median family income of the applicable State for a family
of the same number or fewer individuals; or
`(III) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4 individuals,
the highest median family income of the applicable State for a family
of 4 or fewer individuals, plus $525 per month for each individual in
excess of 4; and
`(B) may be less than 3 or 5 years, whichever is applicable under
subparagraph (A), but only if the plan provides for payment in full of
all allowed unsecured claims over a shorter period.'; and
(4) in section
1329(c), by striking `three years' and inserting `the applicable
commitment period under section 1325(b)(1)(B)'.
SEC. 319. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING EXPANSION OF RULE 9011 OF THE FEDERAL RULES OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURE.
It is the sense of Congress that rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of
Bankruptcy Procedure (11 U.S.C. App.) should be modified to include a
requirement that all documents (including schedules), signed and
unsigned, submitted to the court or to a trustee by debtors who
represent themselves and debtors who are represented by attorneys be
submitted only after the debtors or the debtors' attorneys have made
reasonable inquiry to verify that the information contained in such
documents is--
(1) well grounded in fact; and
(2) warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law.
SEC. 320. PROMPT RELIEF FROM STAY IN INDIVIDUAL CASES.
Section 362(e) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting `(1)' after `(e)'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in a case under chapter 7, 11, or
13 in which the debtor is an individual, the stay under subsection (a)
shall terminate on the date that is 60 days after a request is made by
a party in interest under subsection (d), unless--
`(A) a final decision is rendered by the court during the 60-day period beginning on the date of the request; or
`(B) such 60-day period is extended--
`(i) by agreement of all parties in interest; or
`(ii) by the court for such specific period of time as the court finds
is required for good cause, as described in findings made by the
court.'.
SEC. 321. CHAPTER 11 CASES FILED BY INDIVIDUALS.
(a) PROPERTY OF THE ESTATE-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subchapter I of chapter 11 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`Sec. 1115. Property of the estate
`(a) In a case in which the debtor is an individual, property of the
estate includes, in addition to the property specified in section 541--
`(1) all property of the kind
specified in section 541 that the debtor acquires after the
commencement of the case but before the case is closed, dismissed, or
converted to a case under chapter 7, 12, or 13, whichever occurs first;
and
`(2) earnings from
services performed by the debtor after the commencement of the case but
before the case is closed, dismissed, or converted to a case under
chapter 7, 12, or 13, whichever occurs first.
`(b) Except as provided in section
1104 or a confirmed plan or order confirming a plan, the debtor shall
remain in possession of all property of the estate.'.
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of
sections for subchapter I of chapter 11 of title 11, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`1115. Property of the estate.'.
(b) CONTENTS OF PLAN- Section 1123(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking `and' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting `; and'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(8) in a case in which the debtor is an individual, provide for the
payment to creditors under the plan of all or such portion of earnings
from personal services performed by the debtor after the commencement
of the case or other future income of the debtor as is necessary for
the execution of the plan.'.
(c) CONFIRMATION OF PLAN-
(1) REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO VALUE OF PROPERTY- Section 1129(a) of
title 11, United States Code, as amended by section 213, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
`(15) In a case in
which the debtor is an individual and in which the holder of an allowed
unsecured claim objects to the confirmation of the plan--
`(A) the
value, as of the effective date of the plan, of the property to be
distributed under the plan on account of such claim is not less than
the amount of such claim; or
`(B)
the value of the property to be distributed under the plan is not less
than the projected disposable income of the debtor (as defined in
section 1325(b)(2)) to be received during the 5-year period beginning
on the date that the first payment is due under the plan, or during the
period for which the plan provides payments, whichever is longer.'.
(2)
REQUIREMENT RELATING TO INTERESTS IN PROPERTY- Section
1129(b)(2)(B)(ii) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting before the period at the end the following: `, except that in
a case in which the debtor is an individual, the debtor may retain
property included in the estate under section 1115, subject to the
requirements of subsection (a)(14) of this section'.
(d) EFFECT OF CONFIRMATION- Section 1141(d) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking `The confirmation of a plan does not
discharge an individual debtor' and inserting `A discharge under this
chapter does not discharge a debtor who is an individual'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(5) In a case in which the debtor is an individual--
`(A) unless after notice and a hearing the court orders otherwise for
cause, confirmation of the plan does not discharge any debt provided
for in the plan until the court grants a discharge on completion of all
payments under the plan;
`(B) at any time after
the confirmation of the plan, and after notice and a hearing, the court
may grant a discharge to the debtor who has not completed payments
under the plan if--
`(i) the
value, as of the effective date of the plan, of property actually
distributed under the plan on account of each allowed unsecured claim
is not less than the amount that would have been paid on such claim if
the estate of the debtor had been liquidated under chapter 7 on such
date; and
`(ii) modification of the plan under section 1127 is not practicable; and'.
(e) MODIFICATION OF PLAN- Section 1127 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(e) If the debtor is an individual, the plan may be modified at any
time after confirmation of the plan but before the completion of
payments under the plan, whether or not the plan has been substantially
consummated, upon request of the debtor, the trustee, the United States
trustee, or the holder of an allowed unsecured claim, to--
`(1) increase or reduce the amount of payments on claims of a particular class provided for by the plan;
`(2) extend or reduce the time period for such payments; or
`(3) alter the amount of the distribution to a creditor whose claim is
provided for by the plan to the extent necessary to take account of any
payment of such claim made other than under the plan.
`(f)(1) Sections 1121 through 1128 and the requirements of section 1129 apply to any modification under subsection (a).
`(2) The plan, as modified, shall become the plan only after there has
been disclosure under section 1125 as the court may direct, notice and
a hearing, and such modification is approved.'.
SEC. 322. LIMITATIONS ON HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
(a) EXEMPTIONS- Section 522 of title 11, United States Code, as amended
by sections 224 and 308, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(p)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this
subsection and sections 544 and 548, as a result of electing under
subsection (b)(3)(A) to exempt property under State or local law, a
debtor may not exempt any amount of interest that was acquired by the
debtor during the 1215-day period preceding the date of the filing of
the petition that exceeds in the aggregate $125,000 in value in--
`(A) real or personal property that the debtor or a dependent of the debtor uses as a residence;
`(B) a cooperative that owns property that the debtor or a dependent of the debtor uses as a residence;
`(C) a burial plot for the debtor or a dependent of the debtor; or
`(D) real or personal property that the debtor or dependent of the debtor claims as a homestead.
`(2)(A) The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not apply to an
exemption claimed under subsection (b)(3)(A) by a family farmer for the
principal residence of such farmer.
`(B) For purposes of paragraph (1), any amount of
such interest does not include any interest transferred from a debtor's
previous principal residence (which was acquired prior to the beginning
of such 1215-day period) into the debtor's current principal residence,
if the debtor's previous and current residences are located in the same
State.
`(q)(1) As a result of electing under subsection
(b)(3)(A) to exempt property under State or local law, a debtor may not
exempt any amount of an interest in property described in subparagraphs
(A), (B), (C), and (D) of subsection (p)(1) which exceeds in the
aggregate $125,000 if--
`(A) the court determines, after
notice and a hearing, that the debtor has been convicted of a felony
(as defined in section 3156 of title 18), which under the
circumstances, demonstrates that the filing of the case was an abuse of
the provisions of this title; or
`(B) the debtor owes a debt arising from--
`(i) any violation of the Federal securities laws (as defined in
section 3(a)(47) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), any State
securities laws, or any regulation or order issued under Federal
securities laws or State securities laws;
`(ii) fraud, deceit, or manipulation in a fiduciary capacity or in
connection with the purchase or sale of any security registered under
section 12 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or under
section 6 of the Securities Act of 1933;
`(iii) any civil remedy under section 1964 of title 18; or
`(iv) any criminal act, intentional tort, or willful or reckless
misconduct that caused serious physical injury or death to another
individual in the preceding 5 years.
`(2) Paragraph (1) shall not
apply to the extent the amount of an interest in property described in
subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of subsection (p)(1) is reasonably
necessary for the support of the debtor and any dependent of the
debtor.'.
(b) ADJUSTMENT OF DOLLAR AMOUNTS- Paragraphs (1)
and (2) of section 104(b) of title 11, United States Code, as amended
by section 224, are amended by inserting `522(p), 522(q),' after
`522(n),'.
SEC. 323. EXCLUDING EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE.
Section 541(b) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by section
225, is amended by adding after paragraph (6), as added by section
225(a)(1)(C), the following:
`(A) withheld by an employer from the wages of employees for payment as contributions--
`(I) an employee benefit plan that is subject to title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or under an employee
benefit plan which is a governmental plan under section 414(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
`(II) a deferred compensation plan under section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
`(III) a tax-deferred annuity under section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
except that such amount under this subparagraph shall not constitute disposable income as defined in section 1325(b)(2); or
`(ii) to a health insurance plan regulated by State law whether or not subject to such title; or
`(B) received by an employer from employees for payment as contributions--
`(I) an employee benefit plan that is subject to title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or under an employee
benefit plan which is a governmental plan under section 414(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
`(II) a deferred compensation plan under section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
`(III) a tax-deferred annuity under section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
except that such amount under this subparagraph shall not constitute disposable income, as defined in section 1325(b)(2); or
`(ii) to a health insurance plan regulated by State law whether or not subject to such title;'.
SEC. 324. EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION IN MATTERS INVOLVING BANKRUPTCY PROFESSIONALS.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 1334 of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking `Notwithstanding' and inserting
`Except as provided in subsection (e)(2), and notwithstanding'; and
(2) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
`(e) The district court in which a case under title 11 is commenced or is pending shall have exclusive jurisdiction--
`(1) of all the property, wherever located, of the debtor as of the
commencement of such case, and of property of the estate; and
`(2) over all claims
or causes of action that involve construction of section 327 of title
11, United States Code, or rules relating to disclosure requirements
under section 327.'.
(b) APPLICABILITY- This section shall only apply to cases filed after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 325. UNITED STATES TRUSTEE PROGRAM FILING FEE INCREASE.
(a) Actions Under Chapter 7, 11, or 13 of Title 11, United States Code-
Section 1930(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
`(1) For a case commenced under--
`(A) chapter 7 of title 11, $200; and
`(B) chapter 13 of title 11, $150.'; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking `$800' and inserting `$1000'.
(b) United States Trustee System Fund- Section 589a(b) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
`(1)(A) 40.63 percent of the fees collected under section 1930(a)(1)(A) of this title; and
`(B) 70.00 percent of the fees collected under section 1930(a)(1)(B);';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking `one-half' and inserting `75 percent'; and
(3) in paragraph (4), by striking `one-half' and inserting `100 percent'.
(c) Collection and Deposit of Miscellaneous Bankruptcy Fees- Section
406(b) of the Judiciary Appropriations Act, 1990 (28 U.S.C. 1931 note)
is amended by striking `pursuant to 28 U.S.C. section 1930(b)' and all
that follows through `28 U.S.C. section 1931' and inserting `under
section 1930(b) of title 28, United States Code, 31.25 of the fees
collected under section 1930(a)(1)(A) of that title, 30.00 percent of
the fees collected under section 1930(a)(1)(B) of that title, and 25
percent of the fees collected under section 1930(a)(3) of that title
shall be deposited as offsetting receipts to the fund established under
section 1931 of that title'.
(d) Sunset Date- The amendments made by subsections
(b) and (c) shall be effective during the 2-year period beginning on
the date of enactment of this Act.
(e) Use of Increased Receipts-
(1) JUDGES' SALARIES AND BENEFITS- The amount of fees collected under
paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 1930(a) of title 28, United States
Code, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act, that is greater than the amount that would have been
collected if the amendments made by subsection (a) had not taken effect
shall be used, to the extent necessary, to pay the salaries and
benefits of the judges appointed pursuant to section 1223 of this Act.
(2) REMAINDER- Any
amount described in paragraph (1), which is not used for the purpose
described in paragraph (1), shall be deposited into the Treasury of the
United States to the extent necessary to offset the decrease in
governmental receipts resulting from the amendments made by subsections
(b) and (c).
SEC. 326. SHARING OF COMPENSATION.
Section 504 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(c) This section shall not apply with respect to sharing, or agreeing
to share, compensation with a bona fide public service attorney
referral program that operates in accordance with non-Federal law
regulating attorney referral services and with rules of professional
responsibility applicable to attorney acceptance of referrals.'.
SEC. 327. FAIR VALUATION OF COLLATERAL.
Section 506(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by--
(1) inserting `(1)' after `(a)'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(2) If the debtor is an individual in a case under chapter 7 or 13,
such value with respect to personal property securing an allowed claim
shall be determined based on the replacement value of such property as
of the date of the filing of the petition without deduction for costs
of sale or marketing. With respect to property acquired for personal,
family, or household purposes, replacement value shall mean the price a
retail merchant would charge for property of that kind considering the
age and condition of the property at the time value is determined.'.
SEC. 328. DEFAULTS BASED ON NONMONETARY OBLIGATIONS.
(a) EXECUTORY CONTRACTS AND UNEXPIRED LEASES- Section 365 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking the semicolon at the end and
inserting the following: `other than a default that is a breach of a
provision relating to the satisfaction of any provision (other than a
penalty rate or penalty provision) relating to a default arising from
any failure to perform nonmonetary obligations under an unexpired lease
of real property, if it is impossible for the trustee to cure such
default by performing nonmonetary acts at and after the time of
assumption, except that if such default arises from a failure to
operate in accordance with a nonresidential real property lease, then
such default shall be cured by performance at and after the time of
assumption in accordance with such lease, and pecuniary losses
resulting from such default shall be compensated in accordance with the
provisions of this paragraph;'; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(D), by striking `penalty rate or provision' and inserting `penalty rate or penalty provision';
(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting `or' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking `; or' at the end and inserting a period; and
(C) by striking paragraph (4);
(A) by striking paragraphs (5) through (9); and
(B) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (5); and
(4) in subsection (f)(1) by striking `; except that' and all that
follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting a period.
(b) IMPAIRMENT OF CLAIMS OR INTERESTS- Section 1124(2) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting `or of a kind that section
365(b)(2) expressly does not require to be cured' before the semicolon
at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking `and' at the end;
(3) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
`(D) if such claim or such interest arises from any failure to perform
a nonmonetary obligation, other than a default arising from failure to
operate a nonresidential real property lease subject to section
365(b)(1)(A), compensates the holder of such claim or such interest
(other than the debtor or an insider) for any actual pecuniary loss
incurred by such holder as a result of such failure; and'.
SEC. 329. CLARIFICATION OF POSTPETITION WAGES AND BENEFITS.
Section 503(b)(1)(A) of title 11, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
`(A) the actual, necessary costs and expenses of preserving the estate including--
`(i) wages, salaries, and commissions for services rendered after the commencement of the case; and
`(ii) wages and benefits awarded pursuant to a judicial proceeding or a
proceeding of the National Labor Relations Board as back pay
attributable to any period of time occurring after commencement of the
case under this title, as a result of a violation of Federal or State
law by the debtor, without regard to the time of the occurrence of
unlawful conduct on which such award is based or to whether any
services were rendered, if the court determines that payment of wages
and benefits by reason of the operation of this clause will not
substantially increase the probability of layoff or termination of
current employees, or of nonpayment of domestic support obligations,
during the case under this title;'.
SEC. 330. DELAY OF DISCHARGE DURING PENDENCY OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS.
(a) CHAPTER 7- Section 727(a) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by section 106, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (10), by striking `or' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (11) by striking the period at the end and inserting `; or'; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:
`(12) the court after notice and a hearing held not more than 10 days
before the date of the entry of the order granting the discharge finds
that there is reasonable cause to believe that--
`(A) section 522(q)(1) may be applicable to the debtor; and
`(B) there is pending any proceeding in which the debtor may be found
guilty of a felony of the kind described in section 522(q)(1)(A) or
liable for a debt of the kind described in section 522(q)(1)(B) | |