HB 167 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dispositions independent of letters, family exemption, probate of wills and grant of letters, further providing for payments to family and funeral directors.

Pennsylvania's HB 167 increases the amount financial institutions can pay directly to a deceased person's family without probate from $10,000 to $20,000. It requires families to provide a receipted funeral bill or an affidavit from a licensed funeral director to qualify for this payment. The bill affects banks, credit unions, and other savings institutions, which can now pay eligible family members (spouse, children, parents, or siblings) directly. This change eliminates the need for probate court approval for these smaller payments, streamlining the process for families handling final arrangements. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Last action Mar 26, 2025
Floor votes · House Mar 25, 2025

How they voted

260
Passed
Total votes 26
Mar 25, 2025
D Democratic14
14 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican12
12 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Mar 25, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (26-0)
house
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors

Sponsors