California governor signs bill amending reservist requirement for deferring financial obligations when called to active duty

State Issues State Legislation Military Lending

On July 9, the governor of California signed into law amendments to Section 800 of the state’s Military and Veterans Code to eliminate the requirement that a reservist called to active duty provide a letter signed under penalty of perjury to an obligor for deferment of certain financial obligations. Specifically, AB 2521 states that a reservist, or his or her designee, is now required instead to deliver a written request—which includes electronic communications— to an obligor for a deferment of financial obligations, including mortgages, credit cards, retail installment accounts and contracts, and vehicle leases. The amendments take effect January 1, 2019.