Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB732

Introduced
6/2/23  

Caption

In personnel of the system, further providing for appointment of personnel; and making a repeal.

Impact

By restricting the role of private entities in enforcing evictions and real property possession, SB732 aims to enhance the integrity of the judicial process surrounding housing issues. Supporters of this bill argue that it will protect tenants' rights and provide more oversight in complex eviction processes. The amendment may also influence local laws and practices related to how evictions are conducted, potentially leading to a more standardized approach across Pennsylvania. However, it could also result in increased workloads for court personnel tasked with managing these cases.

Summary

Senate Bill 732 seeks to amend Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes regarding the appointment of personnel in cases involving real property. The bill notably includes provisions that prevent courts from appointing private entities to serve writs of possession or carry out lockouts related to eviction cases. This legislative move aims to ensure that such processes are managed directly by government employees rather than private firms, which could potentially lead to conflicts of interest or lack accountability in the enforcement of housing judgments.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB732 appears to be largely supportive among tenant advocacy groups and individuals concerned about housing rights, as it emphasizes the importance of accountability in eviction proceedings. However, there may be opposition from private companies that provide eviction services and from landlords who perceive the bill as limiting their options for managing property disputes efficiently. The discussion underscores a broader debate on the balance between tenant protections and property owners' rights.

Contention

While SB732 is primarily aimed at safeguarding tenant interests, notable contentions include the potential impact on the speed and efficacy of eviction proceedings. Critics may argue that relying solely on court personnel can lead to bottlenecks in the system, thereby delaying crucial legal processes for landlords and impacting their ability to manage properties effectively. The bill's provisions extend to repealing certain parts of Pennsylvania's Judiciary Act of 1976, indicating significant changes in the legal framework governing eviction procedures.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB287

In personnel of the system, establishing eviction agent advisory boards in cities of the first class and eviction agent education and training programs in cities of the first class; providing for eviction procedure in cities of the first class; and making an editorial change.

PA SB1236

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in recovery of possession, further providing for notice to quit; in repeals, providing for applicability; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1266

In governance of the system, further providing for costs; in budget and finance, further providing for Commonwealth portion of fines, etc; in facilities and supplies, further providing for deposits into account and for surcharge; and making a repeal.

PA HB630

Providing for certified chiropractic assistants; in supportive personnel, further providing for supportive personnel; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1106

Providing for certified chiropractic assistants; in supportive personnel, further providing for supportive personnel; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1648

Providing for right-to-know; making repeals; and making editorial changes.

PA HB1816

Further providing for the designation of legal holidays; and making a repeal.

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 HB1908

In school safety and security, further providing for school safety and security coordinator; and, in school security, further providing for duties of commission and providing for school security personnel.

PA HB1579

In constables, further providing for townships, providing for bond, further providing for police officers, providing for bail bond enforcement agent, for professional bondsman, for debt collection, for other incompatible employment, for disqualification and for nepotism, further providing for conduct and insurance, for program established, for program contents, for restricted account and for general imposition of duties and grant of powers, providing for constabulary badge and uniform, repealing provisions relating to arrest of offenders against forest laws, further providing for executions, for arrest in boroughs, for fees and for specific fees, repealing provisions relating to impounding, selling and viewing fees, further providing for seizure fees, for election notice in certain areas, for incompetence and for compensation violation, repealing provisions relating to failure to serve in a township and providing for oversight; authorizing county constabulary review boards; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and imposing penalties.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.