Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB24

Introduced
1/8/25  

Caption

Providing for off-campus student housing rights.

Impact

If enacted, HB24 would have a significant impact on state laws regarding housing and tenant rights, especially for students. By standardizing student tenant rights, the bill would ensure that educational institutions are held accountable for providing essential information and support to students regarding their housing situations. This could lead to increased awareness among students about their rights as tenants, fostering better living conditions and potentially reducing instances of unfair evictions and other housing-related grievances.

Summary

House Bill 24, also known as the Off-Campus Student Housing Tenant Rights Act, seeks to establish a set of rights for students living in off-campus housing across Pennsylvania. The legislation mandates the Department of Education to create and distribute a 'bill of rights' that outlines essential tenant rights, including the right to live in a habitable dwelling, the right to residential privacy, and the necessity of receiving a writ of possession before eviction. This bill aims to enhance the protections for students who may face precarious living situations as they pursue their education.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB24 appears to be positive, as it is designed to protect vulnerable populations—students—who are often at a disadvantage in the housing market. Supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary step towards ensuring a fair and secure living environment for students. However, some concerns may be raised regarding the execution of these protections and the potential administrative burdens placed on institutions of higher education. Overall, the bill seems to reflect a proactive stance towards safeguarding student housing rights.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding the implementation and enforcement of the provisions laid out in the bill. While the legislation aims to protect students, there could be questions about how effectively institutions will comply with the new requirements, particularly in distributing information and maintaining the necessary documentation for courses related to student tenant rights. Additionally, discussions could surface about the cost implications for institutions, especially if they are allowed to charge fees for the certification course, which could pose additional barriers for some students.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB121

Providing for off-campus student housing rights.

PA HB765

Providing for tenant's rights.

PA SB1150

In the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and providing for Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program; providing for institutions of higher education, for Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program and for intercollegiate athletics; in ready-to-succeed scholarship, further providing for agency; and making a repeal.

PA SB30

Providing for student loan debt data collection and report, for procedures for student loans, for disclosure of higher education costs, for a student loan ombudsman, for higher education assistance by employers, for duties of the Department of Education, Department of Banking and Securities and Department of Revenue; establishing the Student Loan Refinancing Program; authorizing the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to issue bonds to fund the Student Loan Refinancing Program; establishing the Student Loan Refinancing Fund; providing for student loan debt tax credit, for application for tax credit, for taxpayer eligibility, for carryover and carryback, for outreach and marketing, for guidelines, for employer incentive for higher education assistance tax credit, for application for tax credits and for carryover, carryback and assignment of tax credits; and imposing penalties.

PA SB565

In preliminary provisions, providing for student data privacy and protection; imposing duties on the Department of Education; and providing for penalties.

PA SB843

In preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission, for Basic Education Funding Commission and for Commission on Education and Economic Competitiveness and providing for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; providing for Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; in drug and alcohol recovery high school program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students, providing for enrollment of students and further providing for academic programs; in terms and courses of study, further providing for Economic Education and Personal Financial Literacy Programs; in early learning programs, providing for quarterly reporting; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions; in credit card marketing, further providing for regulation of on-campus credit card marketing; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status; and abrogating regulations.

PA HB1875

In certification of teachers, further providing for continuing professional development; providing for access to advanced courses for all students; establishing the Access to Advanced Courses for All Students Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

PA HB2398

In transfers of credits between institutions of higher education, further providing for definitions and for duties of public institutions of higher education, providing for guaranteed admission, for reports to General Assembly and for dispute resolution and further providing for Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee, for duties of department and for applicability; in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for definitions and providing for student fee transparency; and providing for institutions of higher education and Dual Credit Innovation and Equity Grant Program.

PA HB1904

In pupils and attendance, providing for personalized education program; providing for student freedom accounts; and establishing the Student Freedom Account Program.

PA SB1341

In certification of teachers, further providing for continuing professional development; providing for access to advanced courses for all students; establishing the Access to Advanced Courses for All Students Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

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