Bill > HB1492

This bill establishes new regulations for how housing providers can use criminal records when screening potential tenants, specifically focusing on drug trafficking convictions. The legislation requires housing providers to conduct individualized assessments of applicants with criminal records, considering factors such as the nature and severity of the offense, the applicant's age at the time, time elapsed since the offense, evidence of rehabilitation, and potential safety impacts. Housing providers are prohibited from considering certain types of criminal records, including arrests that didn't result in conviction, expunged convictions, and juvenile records. The bill empowers the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) to oversee compliance, with a process for applicants to challenge housing decisions and for providers to remedy potential violations. Providers can be fined up to $1,000 for first-time violations, $5,000 for second violations, and $10,000 for three or more violations within seven years. The law includes provisions to protect housing providers from liability when renting to individuals with past drug trafficking convictions and allows providers to withdraw housing offers only with written explanation and an opportunity for the applicant to appeal. Notably, the law does not apply to housing providers with 10 or fewer rental units, and it will take effect six months after 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=1492