PRINTER'S NO. 3661
No. 2718 Session of 1982
INTRODUCED BY PRATT, SEPTEMBER 29, 1982
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SEPTEMBER 29, 1982
AN ACT
1 Imposing limitations on the power of a public agency to regulate
2 the keeping of pets in certain public housing projects.
3 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
4 hereby enacts as follows:
5 Section 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
6 public agency which owns and operates housing accommodations for
7 the elderly and nursing homes shall prohibit the keeping of less
8 than two pets by persons residing in the housing for the elderly
9 and nursing homes accommodations.
10 Section 2. The following words and phrases when used in this
11 act shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,
12 the meanings given to them in this section:
13 "Person." Any person who resides in a public agency owned
14 and operated housing accommodation for the elderly or nursing
15 home.
16 "Pet." Any domesticated dog, cat, bird or aquarium.
17 "Public agency." The administrative unit of the Commonwealth
1 or any county, city, borough, township or an authority thereof
2 responsible for the ownership and operation of housing for the
3 elderly and nursing homes accommodations.
4 Section 3. (a) Nothing in this act shall prevent the public
5 agency from requiring the removal from any housing of any pet
6 whose conduct or condition is duly determined to constitute a
7 threat or nuisance to the other occupants of the housing. No pet
8 may be kept in violation of humane or health laws.
9 (b) Nothing in this section shall prevent the public agency
10 from adopting reasonable regulations relating to limitations on
11 use of common areas by any such pets; prevent the adoption of
12 differing terms for the tenancy which are reasonably related to
13 the presence of such pet; or relieve a tenant from any liability
14 otherwise imposed by law for damages caused by such pet when
15 proof of same exists.
16 Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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