Enacts the "homeowner defense and anti-deed theft act" in relation to establishing a homeowner defense and anti-deed theft program within the department of state for the purpose of defending homeowners against deed theft; establishes the county recording modernization fund and the title defense litigation fund.
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
9228
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
November 3, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ZINERMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the home-
owner defense and anti-deed theft program to provide community-based
legal aid and rapid-response services for victims of deed theft and
fraudulent property transfers; and to amend the state finance law, in
relation to establishing the county recording modernization fund and
the title defense litigation fund
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
the "homeowner defense and anti-deed theft act".
§ 2. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature finds that deed
theft and fraudulent property transfers threaten the security of
homeownership and erode generational wealth in New York State. Seniors,
immigrants, and Black and brown homeowners are disproportionately
targeted by predatory actors who exploit gaps in the legal system.
While recent legislation expanded the attorney general's powers and
created new criminal penalties, victims often lack access to timely and
affordable legal representation. Without rapid intervention, families
lose their homes, neighborhoods destabilize, and community wealth is
permanently stripped.
It is therefore the intent of this act, the "homeowner defense and
anti-deed theft act", to:
1. Establish a permanent statewide program of legal aid to defend
homeowners against deed theft.
2. Create regional title defense hubs and satellite clinics to ensure
equitable access across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
3. Provide proactive estate planning and heirs' property counseling to
reduce vulnerability.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13724-02-5
A. 9228 2
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