Bill
Bill > SB670
PA SB670
PA SB670Providing for public housing safety committees; further providing for requirements regarding tenants and landlords in cities of the first class; and providing for background checks for landlords.
summary
Introduced
04/28/2025
04/28/2025
In Committee
04/28/2025
04/28/2025
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," providing for public housing safety committees; further providing for requirements regarding tenants and landlords in cities of the first class; and providing for background checks for landlords.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new public housing safety committee for each housing authority, consisting of the Executive Director, District Attorney, and President Judge of the county. The committee will review background checks for housing applicants with criminal records, evaluating each case based on factors such as the severity of the crime, time since the offense, and potential threat to other residents. The committee must unanimously vote to approve or deny an applicant, with special provisions for victims of domestic violence or related crimes. The bill also expands requirements for housing authorities by allowing landlords in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) to request background checks on adult household members, with strict confidentiality requirements. Additionally, the bill modifies existing regulations about tenant and landlord requirements, removing specific language limiting these provisions to first-class cities and ensuring compliance with federal laws regarding criminal background checks. Landlords must obtain a signed consent form from applicants to receive criminal conviction records, and unauthorized disclosure of these records can result in criminal and civil penalties. Housing authorities and landlords must update their documents and procedures within 90 days of the act's effective date to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Wayne Langerholc (R)*,
Doug Mastriano (R),
Tracy Pennycuick (R),
Pat Stefano (R),
Elder Vogel (R),
Judy Ward (R),
Last Action
Referred to Urban Affairs & Housing (on 04/28/2025)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...