This bill amends Pennsylvania's Loan Interest and Protection Law to ban prepayment penalties on residential mortgages taken out on or after its effective date. It directly affects homeowners with personal, family, or household loans by allowing them to pay off their mortgages early without incurring extra fees or charges. The law ensures that borrowers can clear their debt ahead of schedule without financial penalties, and the changes will become active 60 days after the bill is passed.
This bill allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as secondary apartments or backyard cottages, to be built on properties with single-family homes across Pennsylvania. It requires every municipality to adopt a simple ordinance permitting at least one ADU per lot and mandates that applications be approved within 30 days (or 60 days with additional review), with automatic approval if deadlines are missed. Municipalities may charge a maximum $250 fee for processing and cannot require permit renewals. The law respects existing deed restrictions and planned community rules while aiming to increase housing options through standardized ADU access.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to clarify that religious or fraternal organizations cannot restrict membership based on race, color, national origin, or ancestry to deny equal access to housing, employment, or public accommodations. It specifically updates Section 5(h)(10) to explicitly prohibit such discrimination under the guise of religious or fraternal affiliation. The change directly affects religious institutions, fraternal organizations, and housing providers operating under existing exemptions. The amendment takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 72 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to create new protections for tenants facing domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking. It defines "eligible tenants" as those who are victims themselves or have an immediate family/household member (living with them or within 1,000 feet) who is a victim of these specific violent acts. The bill requires landlords to provide safety options like changing locks or relocating tenants without penalty upon verification from an "attesting third party" (such as a police officer or victim advocate). This directly affects renters in these situations by ensuring they aren't unfairly evicted or penalized for seeking safety due to violence.
HB 1492 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate how landlords use criminal records when screening potential tenants. It would limit the types of criminal records landlords can consider and require the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to establish guidelines for fair screening practices. The bill also imposes penalties for landlords who violate the new rules and mandates the Commission to monitor compliance with the updated screening standards. This directly affects landlords conducting tenant screenings and tenants whose criminal records might impact their housing applications.
HB 1882 updates Pennsylvania's rules for mortgage lenders and strengthens consumer protections in the mortgage industry. It revises licensing requirements for mortgage loan originators, clarifies exemptions from needing a license, and adds specific safeguards for borrowers. The bill directly affects mortgage lenders operating in Pennsylvania and consumers applying for mortgage loans by changing how lenders must be licensed and what protections must be provided. These changes aim to streamline licensing while ensuring borrowers receive clearer information and fairer treatment during the mortgage process.
HB 1650 establishes Pennsylvania's Home Preservation Grant Program, administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development. It provides grants to local governments (counties, cities, townships) to fund repairs and improvements on existing owner-occupied homes, targeting households earning 80-120% of the area median income. Grants can cover up to $50,000 per unit for habitability fixes, energy/water efficiency upgrades, or accessibility modifications, with local governments allowed to use up to 10% of funds for administration. Applications must demonstrate experience in housing rehabilitation and include plans for using funds per the bill's requirements, with priority given to projects leveraging additional funding sources.
HB 1095 modifies Pennsylvania court records to limit public access to eviction information in dockets and indices. It directly affects tenants, landlords, and court clerks by restricting how eviction history is shared while requiring the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts to process these records under the new rules. The key provision creates a "limited access" system for eviction data, meaning the public cannot freely view these records as they currently can. This change applies specifically to eviction-related court documents within the state's judicial system. The bill passed the House on June 23, 2025, and was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
HB 734 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to update landlord responsibilities in tenement and multiple-dwelling buildings. It specifically adds new requirements for landlords when relocating tenants, such as providing relocation assistance during building repairs or renovations. The bill directly affects landlords in older apartment buildings and tenants who may need to move due to property improvements or maintenance. These changes clarify and strengthen existing protections for renters in multi-unit housing.
HB 1250 amends Pennsylvania's Manufactured Home Community Rights Act to protect residents in manufactured home communities. It requires community owners to allow resident associations and group meetings, and mandates 90-day advance notice for rent increases. The bill caps annual rent hikes at 2-4% (based on regional inflation data), prohibits increases during unresolved health/safety violations, and requires clear disclosure of all fees in leases. These changes directly affect approximately 150,000 manufactured home residents and community owners across Pennsylvania, aiming to prevent exploitative rent practices and stabilize housing costs.
