Pennsylvania lawmakers have advanced a bill that would temporarily stop some evictions when extreme weather is set to become dangerous.
Here's what to know
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved House Bill 2023 with a 122-81 vote.
Several kinds of severe weather forecasts could trigger the anti-eviction measure, including freezing temperatures, blizzards, winter storms, extreme heat, and hurricanes.
Support came from all House Democrats and 19 Republicans, according to ABC 27, giving the bill bipartisan backing.
Under the proposal, judges would have to pause the execution of an eviction order when dangerous weather is expected.
While the bill would not cancel an eviction outright, it would delay enforcement until after a certain period following a weather emergency.
As reported by ABC 27, the weather-related protections would cover residents enrolled in assistance programs including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
What's being said?
"Landlords absolutely have the right to evict tenants who fail to pay," bill sponsor Rep. Greg Scott said in a press release. "What this bill does is ask us to approach eviction with an element of humanity.
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"Families failing to pay their rent are already struggling and may not have a safe place to go during deadly weather. Pausing evictions keeps more people safe and would ease some of the strain put on our shelter systems when bad weather is forecast."
Following its passage in the House, the bill will go to the Senate for a vote.
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