The federal Fair Housing Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act guarantee the right to pursue housing without discrimination. The Fair Housing Act also requires our Commonwealth to combat housing discrimination while furthering fair housing.
 
I believe the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act should be updated to strengthen enforcement because too often landlords, especially repeat violators, are not held accountable for their actions.
 
First, my bill  would increase the filing deadline for a housing discrimination complaint from 180 days to one year from the date of the alleged discriminatory act. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development already has a one-year deadline for its received complaints.
 
Secondly, it would increase the civil penalties set in statute and enable future adjustments based on inflation. The three civil penalty levels would remain the same: first time violator, repeat violator during a five-year period, and repeat violator during a seven-year period.  
 
Please join me in helping to prevent housing discrimination by co-sponsoring this bill.