Under Senate Bill 6033, volunteer professionals from around the state will be recruited to help families and individuals with incomes at or below the county median income level renegotiate their mortgage terms.

The legislation, which is sponsored by Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, creates the Prevent or Reduce Owner-Occupied Foreclosure (PROOF) program to help struggling homeowners. It will be paid for with money left over from the Smart Homeownership Choices Program.

This legislation is intended to help not only homeowners, but local economies hurt by a high number of foreclosures.

The bill passed the Senate 46 to 0 and now moves to the House for consideration.