House passes Bizzarro bill to update unclaimed property process in PA
Unclaimed property worth up to $10,000 would be automatically returned
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro June 11, 2025 | 11:19 AM
HARRISBURG, June 11 – A bill that could potentially land more money in the pockets of Pennsylvanians is moving through the General Assembly. Legislation authored by state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) to update the PA Treasury’s unclaimed property process passed the Pennsylvania House on Tuesday.
House Bill 1189 would mandate the PA Treasury to automatically return any unclaimed money or property worth up to $10,000 to its owners. Unclaimed property can include money in forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance policies, or safe deposit boxes.
Currently, Pennsylvanians must search the PA Treasury’s unclaimed property database and fill out forms to receive what is rightfully theirs. Bizzarro’s bill would ensure property worth less than $10,000 would be automatically returned to any owner whose contact information can be verified within the last year.
“This is property that belongs to Pennsylvanians, so the process to return that property should be as easy as possible. My bill is a great way to re-connect Pennsylvanians with long-lost money or goods without making them navigate databases and complete paperwork,” said Bizzarro. “With the full support of our Republican state Treasurer, I’m hopeful we can finally get this across the finish line and begin automatically returning unclaimed property to its rightful owners.”
According to the state Treasurer, more than $5 billion in unclaimed property is waiting to be claimed. Pennsylvanians can access the unclaimed property database here.
House Bill 1189 now heads to the Pennsylvania Senate for further consideration.