Pennsylvania House passes bill to seal eviction records after narrow votes on amendments

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania House on June 16 approved House Bill 10 9 5, a measure that limits public access to eviction records, after several close roll-call votes on amendments and motions to table that split lawmakers along policy and partisan lines.

Supporters of the bill said it would help tenants rebuild their credit and housing prospects, while opponents said some amendments were necessary to protect landlords and public safety. The chamber debated several amendments that would have narrowed or clarified the bill before ultimately agreeing to the measure as amended.

The bill, described on the floor as one that “seals the abduction records to protect tenants and communities” in the clerk’s summary, drew sustained floor debate. Representative Schlossberg, speaking on behalf of an amendment, said the proposal would change the placement of eviction files under limited access by setting a time limit: “this amendment changes the placement of eviction files under limited access to be either 7 years since the filing of the case or upon adjudication of the evicting case in favor of the occupant,” he said, urging colleagues to…