Boston (AP)  -- A new state law provides a 90-day cooling off period for Massachusetts homeowners facing the prospect of foreclosure.

The law, which takes effect Thursday, requires that lenders give borrowers 90 days after a notice of delinquency to resolve their debt. The previous law required only 30 days notice

Gov. Deval Patrick says the new rules are aimed at avoiding unnecessary foreclosures and allowing more people to stay in their homes. He's asking lenders to use the 90-day period to restructure as many loans as possible.

As of July 1, the new law will also require the licensing of all mortgage loan originators.

A recent report by the Warren Group, a Boston-based publisher of real estate data, said foreclosure deeds in Massachusetts more than doubled last month compared with the same month a year ago.