State Sen. Mike Brubaker introduced two bills Thursday that he said were inspired by a mortgage broker whose actions cost local homeowners millions of dollars.

The bills are intended to protect consumers against unscrupulous lenders and employees of mortgage companies who report illegal activities.

Senate Bill 1614 would prohibit a mortgage broker or originator from being the exclusive recipient of communications to a consumer.

Brubaker said he introduced the bills in response to jailed mortgage broker Wesley A. Snyder. A federal investigation last year revealed that Snyder withheld mortgage information from customers while he operated a Ponzi scheme that defrauded customers of about $26 million.

"The General Assembly needs to do our part to ensure that Pennsylvania homeowners are not victimized by this type of scam again," Brubaker said.

The fraud affected nearly 300 Lancaster County customers who were saddled with larger mortgages at higher rates than they were promised by Snyder.

The bill would ensure that consumers are informed of the terms of their mortgages, and it would prevent brokers from withholding information about interest rates, fees or monthly payments.

Brubaker also introduced Senate Bill 1615, which would help protect mortgage company employees who report illegal activities or take part in an investigation, hearing or inquiry.

The legislation would prevent an employer from taking actions such as reducing an employee's salary or benefits, changing the terms of employment or firing a whistleblower.

The Senate is not expected to take any roll-call votes during the current legislative session, so the bills will not be considered by the Senate in 2008.

But Brubaker said that introducing the bills now will give the bills added momentum in 2009. Also, he said, it will help raise awareness and provide time to fine-tune the bills before the Senate reconvenes in January.

"I will reintroduce these bills at the beginning of the 2009-10 legislative session with the goal of seeing them signed into law next year," Brubaker said.

E-mail: pburns@lnpnews.com