Bill > HB1297

This bill amends the Real Estate Appraisers Certification Act to address bias and discrimination in property appraisals by introducing several key provisions. The bill requires the board to develop mandatory bias and discrimination training for real estate appraisers, which covers topics like the history of discrimination, fair housing laws, cultural competency, and implicit bias. It explicitly prohibits appraisers from basing property value assessments on characteristics such as race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, and other protected categories. The bill establishes strict penalties for discriminatory appraisals, including suspension of licenses, fines up to $50,000 for repeat offenses, and mandatory anti-bias seminars. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual audit of appraisal issues and requires the board to conduct a comprehensive disparate impact study examining barriers to entry in the appraisal profession, potential technological biases, and ways to strengthen fair housing law enforcement. The study's findings and recommendations will be reported to multiple legislative committees, with the goal of identifying and addressing systemic discrimination in property appraisals. The new requirements will take effect 60 days after the bill's passage.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1297