Reservists: active duty: deferment of financial obligations.

Existing law, the California Military Families Financial Relief Act, authorizes a reservist who is called to active duty to defer payments on mortgages, credit cards, retail installment accounts and contracts, real property taxes and assessments, vehicle leases, and obligations owed to utility companies, for the period of active duty plus 60 calendar days, or 180 days, whichever is the lesser, as specified. Existing law requires the reservist or his or her designee to deliver to the obligor (1) a copy of his or her activation or deployment order and any other information that substantiates the duration of the service member's military service, and (2) a letter signed by the reservist, under penalty of perjury, requesting a deferment of financial obligations, in order for the obligation or liability to be subject to the provisions of the act. This bill would delete the requirement to provide a signed letter, under penalty of perjury, and instead would require the reservist or his or her designee to deliver a written request by the reservist for a deferment of financial obligations to the obligor.