The state House recently advanced legislation that would amend the 20-year-old Pennsylvania Construction Code Act to require municipalities to use at least two or more companies for inspection services.
Municipalities currently hire a private, third-party agency to enforce Uniform Construction Code contracts.
If the bill becomes law, municipalities would be required to provide at least two options for inspection services. Homeowners also would be able to contract with any state licensed inspector.
In addition, the bill addresses faulty home inspectors and strengthens whistleblower requirements.
The bill would not apply to municipalities that have their own indigenous code enforcement programs.
“This legislation will break up the monopoly, provide for more thorough and timely inspections and drive down costs,” Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), who sponsored the bill, said. “It is time to stand up for people, not special interests.”
There have been numerous complaints from homeowners throughout the state, Heffley said. These complaints include unprofessional conduct by inspectors, rude inspectors, long wait times and inconsistent interpretations of the code.
The Pennsylvania Construction Code Act established a uniform construction code and imposed
powers and duties on municipalities.
The bill moves to the Senate for consideration. If it becomes law, it will go into effect immediately.