Sec. 21.002. EXCEPTION FROM APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), this chapter does not apply to the following persons that perform foreclosure consulting services:

(1) an attorney admitted to practice in this state who performs those services in relation to the attorney's attorney-client relationship with a homeowner or the beneficiary of the lien being foreclosed;

(2) a person that holds or is owed an obligation secured by a lien on a residence in foreclosure if the person performs those services in connection with the obligation or lien;

(3) a mortgage servicer of an obligation secured by a lien on a residence in foreclosure if the servicer performs those services in connection with the obligation or lien;

(4) a person that regulates banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, credit unions, or insurance companies under the laws of this state or the United States if the person performs those services as part of the person's normal business activities;

(5) an affiliate of a person described by Subdivision (4) if the affiliate performs those services as part of the affiliate's normal business activities;

(6) a judgment creditor of the homeowner of the residence in foreclosure, if:

(A) the legal action giving rise to the judgment was commenced before the notice of default required under Section 5.064, 5.066, or 51.002(d), Property Code; and

(B) the judgment is recorded in the real property records of the clerk of the county where the residence in foreclosure is located;

(7) a licensed title insurer, title insurance agent, or escrow officer authorized to transact business in this state if the person is performing those services in conjunction with title insurance or settlement services;

(8) a licensed real estate broker or real estate salesperson if the person is engaging in an activity for which the person is licensed;

(9) a person licensed or registered under Chapter 156, Finance Code, if the person is engaging in an activity for which the person is licensed or registered under that chapter;

(10) a person licensed or registered under Chapter 157, Finance Code, if the person is engaging in an activity for which the person is licensed or registered under that chapter;

(11) a nonprofit organization that provides solely counseling or advice to homeowners who have a residence in foreclosure or have defaulted on their home loans, unless the organization is an associate of the foreclosure consultant;

(12) a depository institution, as defined by Section 31.002, Finance Code, subject to regulation or supervision by a state or federal regulatory agency; or

(13) an affiliate or subsidiary of a depository institution described by Subdivision (12).

(b) This chapter applies to a person described by Subsection (a) if the person is providing foreclosure consulting services to a homeowner designed or intended to transfer title, directly or indirectly, to a residence in foreclosure to that person or the person's associate, unless the person is a mortgagee or mortgage servicer that negotiates with or accepts from the mortgagor a deed in lieu of foreclosure for the benefit of the mortgagee.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 902 (S.B. 767), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.