Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a bill Wednesday that tightens restrictions on who can legally help Hawaii homeowners at risk of foreclosure save their homes through mortgage relief efforts. House Bill 2275 specifies that attorneys need to be licensed in Hawaii to act as a distressed property consultant authorized to help Hawaii homeowners obtain mortgage relief under the state’s Mortgage Rescue Fraud Prevention Act. Hawaii’s mortgage rescue fraud law was enacted in 2008 and allowed attorneys to act as distressed property consultants without regard to where they were licensed. The lack of a licensing requirement made it difficult for state regulators to pursue out-of-state attorneys accused of defrauding Hawaii homeowners in mortgage rescue scams. HB2275 broadens the definition of distressed property consultant to anyone who attempts to perform or provide or assist with mortgage relief efforts.