Critics of a bill addressing tenant and landlord rights say the legislation will contribute to more evictions across the state.
Senate Bill 148 would restrict the ability of local governments to regulate landlords.
Supporters say it establishes uniformity between state and local laws.
“The eviction rate in Monroe County is up 28% from what it normally is. So eviction rates, even during a pandemic, even with moratoria, is still high and growing during the pandemic,” said Brandon Beeler, director of the Housing Law Center at Indiana Legal Services.
The legislature passed the bill last spring but Gov. Eric Holcomb vetoed it, saying such legislation wasn’t appropriate during a pandemic.
The Senate voted to override Holcomb’s veto on Feb. 8th. If the House votes to do the same, the bill will become law.
Beeler said the legislation will chip away at a tenant’s due process rights during eviction hearings.
