Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes penalties to be imposed for "blighted" properties in the state of Pennsylvania.

Highlights:

• Establishes the The Municipal Codes Enforcement Grant for the purpose of reducing blighted property (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that it shall do this through the following methods (Sec. 1): 

• Code enforcement and hiring of relevant personnel; 

• County property maintenance code enforcement programs.

• Specifies that the grants will be awarded on a competitive basis according to the following criteria (Sec. 1). 

• Whether there is financial need;

• Overall condition of the property; 

• Whether there is an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with another jurisdiction.

• Specifies that in order to be eligible, a municipality must fill out a grant application (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the municipality who wishes to receive the grant funds must provide matching funds (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that for municipalities that already have a code enforcement program, they may enact new ordinances against blighted property with a municipal neighborhood mitigation fund (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the code enforcement programs may use money collected from penalties to use for the mitigation fund (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the fund will be used for demolition, cleanup, sealing and repairs to the blighted property and the surrounding area (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies the following amounts for penalties against the municipal code regarding blighted properties (Sec. 1):

• First violation will result in a fine from anywhere between $25 to $250;

• Second violation will result in a fine from $250 to $500; 

• Third violation will result in a fine from $500 to $1000

• Specifies that this penalty shall be paid out to the municipality (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that a report be made to the general assembly regarding the implementation of the previous measures (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that counties may enact a property maintenance ordinance or code that is nationally recognized (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that an ordinance need not be advertised after its adoption but can be advertised in a public forum or widely seen venue prior to enaction (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text