Pennsylvania House Bill HB638

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/25
• Refer: 2/20/25

Caption

In commercial protection, prohibiting confession of judgment provisions.

Impact

The implementation of HB 638 would create significant changes in contract law within Pennsylvania. By making confession of judgment provisions void and unenforceable, the bill aims at increasing consumer and business protections. It reflects a legislative effort to ensure that agreements between parties are more equitable and require judicial involvement before a judgment can be made. This could benefit a wide array of stakeholders, particularly those in weaker bargaining positions who may be coerced into accepting unfair terms.

Summary

House Bill 638 seeks to amend Title 12 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by prohibiting 'confession of judgment' provisions in contracts. This type of provision typically allows one party to unilaterally confess to a judgment against the other party without a trial. The bill aims to protect individuals and businesses from potentially unfair legal outcomes that can arise from such provisions, thereby enhancing fairness in contractual agreements. The immediate effect is expected to be an increase in the security and predictability of legal recourse for parties engaging in contracts governed by Pennsylvania law.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding the bill appears to resonate positively with advocacy groups and legal analysts focused on consumer protection and fair business practices. Proponents of the bill argue that it represents a crucial step toward reforming outdated legal practices that can disadvantage parties in contractual agreements. However, there may be some opposition from parties or advocates who argue that eliminating such provisions could complicate certain commercial transactions or undermine the efficiency of contract enforcement.

Contention

Notable points of contention related to HB 638 stem from concerns about the ramifications of outlawing confession of judgment provisions entirely. Critics worry that this could lead to more litigation, as parties may feel compelled to go through the court system for judgments that previously could have been resolved through these provisions. Additionally, the bill includes exceptions for contracts made prior to its enactment and for agreements involving the Commonwealth or municipalities, which could raise questions regarding fairness and uniformity in contract law.