summary
Introduced
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
In Committee
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amending the act of May 28, 1937 (P.L.955, No.265), entitled "An act to promote public health, safety, morals, and welfare by declaring the necessity of creating public bodies, corporate and politic, to be known as housing authorities to engage in slum clearance, and to undertake projects, to provide dwelling accommodations for persons of low income; providing for the organization of such housing authorities; defining their powers and duties; providing for the exercise of such powers, including the acquisition of property by purchase, gift or eminent domain, the renting and selling of property, and including borrowing money, issuing bonds, and other obligations, and giving security therefor; prescribing the remedies of obligees of housing authorities; authorizing housing authorities to enter into agreements, including agreements with the United States, the Commonwealth, and political subdivisions and municipalities thereof; defining the application of zoning, sanitary, and building laws and regulations to projects built or maintained by such housing authorities; exempting the property and securities of such housing authorities from taxation; and imposing duties and conferring powers upon the State Planning Board, and certain other State officers and departments," further providing for powers of an authority.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Housing Authorities Law to expand the police powers of housing authorities in specific types of counties and cities. Currently, housing authorities in counties of the second class, cities of the second class, cities of the second class A, and cities of the third class can appoint police officers with municipal policing powers. The bill makes a minor grammatical change by replacing "and" with a comma and adding the words "city of the third class" to clarify the jurisdictions where housing authorities can establish their own police force. These police officers must complete the same training and certification requirements as municipal police officers, including instruction mandated by the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission, and must maintain their certification to remain employed as housing authority police officers. The new law will take effect 60 days after its enactment, providing housing authorities in the specified jurisdictions with a clear legal framework for establishing and maintaining their own police forces to ensure security on and around their properties.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (14)
Bob Freeman (D)*,
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D),
Mary Jo Daley (D),
Kyle Donahue (D),
José Giral (D),
Roni Green (D),
Liz Hanbidge (D),
Pat Harkins (D),
Carol Hill-Evans (D),
Malcolm Kenyatta (D),
Ed Neilson (D),
Chris Pielli (D),
Ben Sanchez (D),
Mandy Steele (D),
Last Action
Laid on the table (on 03/19/2025)
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