Pennsylvania 2025_0 Regular Session Status: In Committee 8 D cosponsors

HB 2861 — An Act amending Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in seller disclosures, further providing for disclosure form and for affirmative duty of seller and providing for chimney inspection.

Last action — Referred to HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Oct. 19, 2026

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced October 19, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    1 primary, 7 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (8 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill requires chimney inspections before certain real estate transfers in Pennsylvania.

This legislation mandates that sellers obtain a Level II chimney inspection before selling properties with chimneys. The inspection must comply with national safety standards and be conducted at the seller's expense.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: Consumers purchasing homes with chimneys will receive critical safety inspection reports before buying.

Summary

Chimney Safety Checks in Real Estate Transfers

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

3 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill introduces a requirement for chimney inspections in real estate transactions and modifies disclosure obligations for sellers.

  • 68 Pa. C.S. § 7304

    (18) Chimney, as provided under section 7316 (relating to chimney inspection).

    Adds chimney inspection as a subject to be disclosed in the property disclosure statement.

  • 68 Pa. C.S. § 7308

    The → Except as provided under section 7316 (relating to chimney inspection), the

    Clarifies that the seller is not obligated to investigate disclosures, except for chimney inspections.

  • 68 Pa. C.S. § 7316

    § 7316. Chimney inspection. (a) Inspection requirement.--Except as provided under subsection (c), prior to the settlement of a residential real estate transfer involving property containing a chimney, not including a chimney that has been permanently rendered unusable, the seller shall obtain a Level II chimney inspection performed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association 211 standard, in effect on the effective date of this subsection, by a qualified chimney inspector at the seller's expense. (b) Inspection report.--The seller shall provide a copy of the inspection report required under subsection (a) to the buyer prior to the signing of an agreement of transfer by the seller and buyer with respect to the property. (c) Exceptions.--The inspection requirement under subsection (a) shall not apply to a transfer exempt from the requirements under section 7302 (relating to application of chapter). d) Regulations.--The State Real Estate Commission may promulgate regulations necessary to implement this section. (e) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "qualified chimney inspector" shall mean an individual who: (1) holds a current certified chimney sweep credential issued by the Chimney Safety Institute of America; or (2) holds a current certification issued by a nationally recognized chimney or fireplace inspection organization that requires demonstrated knowledge of National Fire Protection Association 211 standard and the inspection of chimney and venting systems.

    Establishes a mandatory chimney inspection process for residential real estate transactions, including the need for an inspection report to be provided to buyers.

Action History

  1. Referred to HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Oct. 19, 2026

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 245 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (7)

Not signed on (245)

245 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 245 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety housing
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 2861 do?
Chimney Safety Checks in Real Estate Transfers
Who sponsors HB 2861?
HB 2861 is sponsored by Joe Webster (Democratic), Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), Maureen E. Madden (Democratic), Mandy Steele (Democratic), Benjamin V. Sanchez (Democratic), Sean Dougherty (Democratic), Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (Democratic), and Ed Neilson (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 2861?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced October 19, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 2861?
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