HARRISBURG – A bipartisan bill that would allow domestic violence victims who live in public housing to be relocated is on its way to the Governor to be signed into law.
Senate Bill 919, sponsored by Senators Camera Bartolotta (R-46), Art Haywood (D-4) and Judy Schwank (D-11), allows a county housing authority to relocate a domestic violence victim to another unit under the authority’s control or in another county housing authority, or refer the victim to local advocacy organizations for housing assistance.
The bill was approved by the House of Representatives today. The Senate passed the bill in March.
“Current law does not allow local authorities to adequately protect victims, even when the abuser still poses a real threat to the victim’s safety,” Bartolotta said. “This bill offers a pathway for housing authorities to help victims who would otherwise be trapped in a dangerous situation.”
Tenants would be required to certify to a housing authority that they are the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The county housing authority would have five days to approve a request for relocation and would be prohibited from releasing the new address of the tenant or other information about their relocation without a court order.
CONTACT: Colleen Greer (717) 787-1463