New Mo. law expands foreclosure protections

New Mo. law expands foreclosure protections

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation requiring the new owners of foreclosed homes to give tenants notice before evicting them.

The new law was prompted by cases in which renters were unaware that landlords had failed to pay their mortgages and got hit with sudden eviction notices on the foreclosed homes. The law requires new owners of foreclosed properties to give renters at least 10 days notice to move out.

Nixon also signed legislation Friday requiring by 2011 that cigarettes sold in Missouri be self-extinguishing. The cigarettes essentially are designed to burn out when someone stops puffing on them, reducing the risk of house fires.

Another newly signed bill would provide free college tuition to certain foster children beginning in fall 2010, subject to funding in the state budget.