HARRISBURG, PA — Legislation aimed at helping older adults and incapacitated individuals avoid losing their homes due to delinquent property taxes has unanimously passed the Pennsylvania Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, according to State Representative Chris Pielli, D-Chester.
House Bill 96, proposed by Pielli, would allow vulnerable homeowners to designate a third party to receive notification when their property taxes become overdue and their home is at risk of a sheriff’s sale.
“As a former court-appointed guardianship attorney, I saw clients who lost their homes as a result of unpaid property taxes,” Pielli said. “It is simply unfair to leave these people to try and pay these bills alone. My bill helps to prevent overdue tax payments for those who may be suffering from any number of conditions that hinder their ability to regularly pay bills.”
According to Pielli, many affected individuals face cognitive or physical impairments that prevent them from managing their finances, with some even having sufficient funds but being unable to pay taxes due to their conditions.
The legislation now moves to the full state Senate for consideration. If enacted, House Bill 96 would provide critical protections for Pennsylvanians unable to manage the tax obligations on their homes without help.
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