Farnese introduces bedbug legislation
A bill introduced to Pennsylvania legislature today would add meaning to the phrase, “Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”
Sen. Larry Farnese introduced Bill 908 to address the state’s (and Philadelphia’s) bedbug issues.
“The aim of my proposed legislation is to establish procedures to prevent and eradicate bed bugs in certain residential properties and hotels,” Farnese said in a statement outlining the bill.
Under the bill, property owners will be responsible for maintaining clean establishments, and would face penalties for not taking swift action to remove bedbugs. Owners would be responsible for financing a bedbug inspection 30 days prior to a new lease term, and for six-month inspections of property common areas.
Civil penalties for property owners would range from $300 per rental unit to $1,000 per common space violation if the bill passes.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.