Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB72

Introduced
1/14/25  

Caption

Providing for tenants' rights in cases of violence.

Impact

If enacted, HB72 would significantly alter current landlord-tenant laws in Pennsylvania, particularly as they relate to the rights of tenants exposed to violence. Landlords would be prohibited from retaliating against tenants for exercising their rights under this law, such as terminating a lease due to safety concerns. Furthermore, the bill provides specific mechanisms for tenants to assert their rights and seek damages if landlords retaliate or violate provisions of the bill. The implications of this bill may include a shift in how leases are managed and enforced, obligating landlords to be more attuned to the safety and welfare of their tenants.

Summary

House Bill 72 aims to enhance tenants' rights in Pennsylvania, particularly in situations involving domestic violence or similar acts of violence. The legislation introduces provisions that allow tenants who are victims of violence, or have immediate family members who are, to terminate their leases without penalty. It establishes clear definitions of key terms such as 'eligible tenant' and 'domestic violence', ensuring that affected tenants have the necessary legal framework to advocate for their safety. The bill seeks to create a more secure living environment for individuals who may otherwise feel trapped in unsafe situations given the existing lease agreements.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB72 appears to be largely supportive, especially among advocates for domestic violence victims and tenant rights organizations. Supporters believe that the bill is a necessary step towards empowering vulnerable populations and ensuring that individuals can leave dangerous living situations without suffering financial repercussions. On the opposing side, concerns may arise from landlord associations regarding the potential for misuse of the law or challenges in managing properties where tenants claim safety concerns. Nonetheless, the proactive response to protecting vulnerable tenants is the predominant sentiment in discussions surrounding the bill.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the potential impact on landlords' rights and responsibilities, as critics argue that the provisions could lead to fraudulent claims by tenants seeking to escape lease obligations without valid justification. The bill's requirement for tenants to provide documentation of their victimization is intended to mitigate this risk; however, the criteria and process for obtaining such documentation may also be debated. Moreover, discussions may arise around the effectiveness of this legislation in practice, particularly regarding how landlords will implement these changes in their tenant management practices.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1441

Providing for tenants' rights in cases of violence.

PA HB2162

Further providing for relocation.

PA HB2477

Providing for employment leave for victims and victims' families because of violence; prohibiting certain acts by employers; prescribing penalties; and providing for a cause of action.

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

PA SB388

In terms and courses of study, further providing for dating violence education; and, in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for definitions and for education program.

PA HB2589

In Pennsylvania State Police, providing for nonpublic database registry of domestic violence offenders; and imposing penalties.

PA SB838

In sentencing, further providing for order of probation, for conditions of probation and for modification or revocation of order of probation and providing for probation review conference.

PA HB428

In assault, further providing for the offense of aggravated assault and for probable cause arrests in domestic violence cases; repealing provisions relating to abortion; in incapacitated persons, further providing for provisions concerning powers, duties and liabilities; providing for reproductive rights; imposing duties on the Department of Health; and imposing penalties.

PA SB55

In child custody, further providing for definitions, for award of custody, for factors to consider when awarding custody, for consideration of criminal conviction, for guardian ad litem for child, for counsel for child and for award of counsel fees, costs and expenses; and, in Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, providing for child abuse and domestic abuse education and training program for judges and court personnel.

PA HB1928

In child custody, further providing for definitions, for award of custody, for factors to consider when awarding custody, for consideration of criminal conviction, for guardian ad litem for child, for counsel for child and for award of counsel fees, costs and expenses; and, in Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, providing for child abuse and domestic abuse education and training program for judges and court personnel.

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NJ A669

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CA AB878

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CA AB2817

House California Challenge Program.

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CA AB2413

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