Senate committee unanimously approves Rabb bill to address deed fraud

Bipartisan legislation to protect homeowners from fraudulent property transfers advances

Rep. Christopher M. Rabb September 9, 2025 | 4:38 PM

HARRISBURG, Sept. 9 – State Rep. Chris Rabb announced today his bipartisan bill with Rep. Tim Bonner, R-Mercer/Butler, to crack down on deed fraud advanced unanimously out of the state Senate Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 1406 would grade theft or attempted theft involving property titles or deeds as a second-degree felony.

“Home theft through deed forgery is one of the most brazen crimes imaginable and has become increasingly rampant,” said Rabb, D-Phila. “Yet, our laws still do not directly address it. This bill is about making sure Pennsylvanians robbed of their homes via deed fraud have a path to justice. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Senate for advancing this legislation, and I look forward to final passage soon.”

The bill is now eligible for a full vote in the state Senate. Rabb and Bonner first introduced the bill in May and it passed the state House unanimously in June.