Heffley’s Bill to End Monopoly on Code Enforcement Services Advances to Senate

April 9, 2019

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), that would give private homeowners and small businesses more options for code enforcement inspection services, was passed by the General Assembly and sent to the Senate for consideration on Monday.

House Bill 349 would amend the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act (Act 45 of 1999) to require municipalities, which hire a private, third-party agency to enforce the Uniform Construction Code contract, to use at least two or more such entities for inspection services.

“This legislation will break up the monopoly, provide for more thorough and timely inspections and drive down costs,” said Heffley. “It is time to stand up for people, not special interests.”

Heffley’s legislation was the result of numerous complaints from homeowners statewide, ranging from inconsistent interpretations of the code and long wait times to rude and unprofessional conduct by inspectors.

The bill would require that municipalities provide at least two options for inspection services, or the homeowner would be able to contract with any state licensed inspector. The bill would also strengthen whistleblower requirements and crack down on faulty home inspectors.

Heffley noted that the legislation would have no impact on municipalities that have their own indigenous code enforcement program, such as Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.

Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717.260.6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
RepHeffley.com / Facebook.com/RepHeffley