The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1214 concerning residential eviction actions sponsored by Sen. Koch. Author Rep. Manning presented the bill last week, which provides for limitations on eviction information reporting, sealing of eviction cases in certain circumstances, addressing case inactivity after 180 days, and outlines data reporting requirements for Office of Judicial Administration. Testimony was received from Prosperity Indiana, Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition, Indiana Community Action Network, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Hoosier Action, Indiana Legal Services, and Indiana Apartment Association. The bill was held until this week for amendment.
The bill was amended by consent to:
- remove the provisions on reporting eviction action information by third parties to avoid conflict with federal consumer reporting requirements
- make portions of the bill effective on passage and July 1, 2022, instead of retroactive
- maintain that eviction diversion programs are voluntary while striking the references to mediation and alternative dispute resolution programs as well as the availability of rental assistance programs to have an eviction diversion program
- specify the applications for rental assistance commenced by a landlord must still include an affirmation and signature by tenants to be consistent with federal requirements.
The amended bill passed 8-1.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1214