HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved House Bill 96, aimed at protecting older adults and incapacitated individuals from losing their homes due to unpaid property taxes. The legislation, introduced by State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, passed with a bipartisan vote of 201-2.
The bill creates a provision allowing these individuals to designate someone to receive notifications of delinquent property taxes before their home is at risk of being sold at 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. “Too often, these were individuals with cognitive impairment or those who were otherwise incapacitated and could not pay tax bills without assistance.”
Pielli emphasized that many of these individuals had the financial means but lacked the capability to manage payments due to medical or cognitive conditions. “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,” he added.
With broad support from lawmakers across both parties, House Bill 96 will now move to the state Senate for consideration. If passed, the legislation would provide an additional safeguard for some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents, ensuring they can remain in their homes.
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