HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Pennsylvania lawmakers have advanced a bill named after the popular 1980s sitcom “The Golden Girls.”
In December 2025, Rep. Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia) introduced “The Golden Girls Law” to prohibit arbitrary limits on the number of individuals living together who are not family.
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The bill says the government can limit the number of individuals based on health and safety standards, including building and construction codes, fire regulations and water quality standards.
On Monday, the Pennsylvania House Housing and Community Development Committee advanced Khan’s bill 19-7, with all 14 Democrats and five Republicans voting in favor.
Khan said the bill is necessary to combat rising housing costs and limited availability in the housing market.
“Pennsylvania is short more than 265,000 affordable housing units,” said Khan. “At the same time, some local occupancy limits restrict how many unrelated people can live together in one home. These limits drive up housing demand and prevent friends, workers, older adults, and families from saving money by sharing a place.”
A companion bill was introduced last month by State Sen. Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia).
The House bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
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