Governor Signs Anti-Blight Law

The Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Act (SB 900) sponsored by Sen. Argall (R-Schuylkill) was signed by Governor Rendell on October 27 and is now Act 90 of 2010. The new state law amends Title 53 to empower municipalities to prevent blight and remediate abandoned properties through several new programs and rule changes such as: o       When a property owner has been convicted of code violations, provides for a lien against the owner’s assets rather than just against the property. o       Provides for out of state property owners to be extradited to the Commonwealth for criminal prosecution. o       Allows municipalities to deny applications for municipal permits and approvals if the applicant is delinquent on taxes or other municipal charges, or if the applicant has been convicted of serious code violations and has taken no substantial action to bring the property into code compliance. o       Encourages the development of ongoing education and training programs for judges related to blighted and abandoned property. o       Authorizes the establishment of housing courts.