GLASS Report: Legislative Action Alert: House Bill 1543: Regular Session 2013-2014: Approved by the Governor, Act No. 160 (UPDATED - October 22, 2014)

Text [History] [Votes]

Short Title: An Act amending the act of October 17, 2008 (P.L.1645, No.132), known as the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, providing for the definition of "time and materials"; and further providing for procedures for registration as a contractor and for home improvement contracts.

Prime Sponsor: Representative KILLION

Last Action: Approved by the Governor, Oct. 22, 2014, Act No. 160

In the House

PN 2077 Referred to CONSUMER AFFAIRS, June 18, 2013

PN 3829 Reported as amended, June 24, 2014

First consideration, June 24, 2014

Re-committed to RULES, June 24, 2014

Re-reported as committed, June 25, 2014

Second consideration, June 27, 2014

Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 27, 2014

Re-reported as committed, June 29, 2014

Third consideration and final passage, June 29, 2014 (200-0)

                       

In the Senate

                       

Referred to CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, July 1, 2014

PN 4090 Reported as amended, Sept. 16, 2014

First consideration, Sept. 16, 2014

Second consideration, Sept. 24, 2014

Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Sept. 24, 2014

PN 4242 Re-reported as amended, Oct. 6, 2014

Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 7, 2014 (50-0)

(Remarks see Senate Journal Page ), Oct. 7, 2014

                       

In the House

                       

Referred to RULES, Oct. 8, 2014

Re-reported on concurrence, as committed, Oct. 8, 2014

House concurred in Senate amendments, Oct. 8, 2014 (192-0)

(Remarks see House Journal Page ), Oct. 8, 2014

Signed in House, Oct. 8, 2014

Signed in Senate, Oct. 14, 2014

Presented to the Governor, Oct. 14, 2014

Approved by the Governor, Oct. 22, 2014, Act No. 160

Memo:  Amend Home Improvement Contractor Law

MEMORANDUM

Posted:            May 13, 2013 04:03 PM

From:   Representative Thomas Killion

To:       All House members

Subject:           Amend Home Improvement Contractor Law

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation intended to strengthen Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) law by further providing for contractual protections for both consumers and contractors.

In many cases, Pennsylvania's home improvement contractors cannot identify a specific cost of the job they are hired to do.  Because each home and each job is different, the cost for the same activity can vary from home to home.  For this reason, contractors often enter into "time & materials" agreements with consumers, which provide an agreed-to procedure that covers an unspecified cost for labor and materials to complete a job. Under the current HIC provisions, these agreements are not enforceable contracts and as such, not subject to the protections and penalties of the HIC law.

This legislation would further define contracts subject to HIC protections and penalties as either the current standard of the total sales price or a mutually agreed upon time and materials provision for the completion of specified improvements.

This legislation will allow Pennsylvania's home improvement contractors more flexibility in their contracts while providing more security and protection for consumers.

If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please contact Alison in my office at ahagler@pahousegop.com.