Hill-Evans bill to protect museums and resolve unclaimed loaned items unanimously passes House
Rep. Carol Hill-Evans April 28, 2026
HARRISBURG, April 28 – On Monday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill introduced by state Rep. Hill-Evans, D-York, that would create a uniform process that allows museums to obtain legal title to unclaimed loaned property.
House Bill 2118 would establish a clear legal framework for museums to claim ownership of loaned items that have been abandoned or left unclaimed for an extended period after reasonable efforts to notify the owner have been made.
Hill-Evans, chair of the House State Government Committee, said that these institutions often receive items on a loan basis. However, in many cases, lenders fail to retrieve their property or maintain contact, leaving museums indefinitely responsible for storage, conservation, and associated costs with limited authority to act.
The bill would codify a process for museums to obtain legal title to unclaimed loaned property under specific conditions. It would require clear record keeping and notification procedures, outline steps for contacting owners or issuing public notice when owners cannot be located, set timelines for reclaiming property, allow reasonable conservation or protective measures in the public interest, and provide legal protections for museums acting in good faith.
“Museums play an essential role in preserving our cultural, artistic, scientific, and historical heritage,” said Hill-Evans. “This legislation ensures fairness for both lenders and museums, protects taxpayer resources, and gives our museums the certainty they need to care for their collections and serve the public.”
Notably, H.B. 2118 would maintain protections for stolen items, Native American cultural artifacts governed by federal law, and works subject to Nazi-era restitution claims.
The bill now moves to the state Senate.