The bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to enhance protections against unlawful discriminatory practices, particularly concerning religious discrimination. It modifies Section 5 by clarifying that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or specific membership criteria for fraternal organizations. Additionally, it introduces a new section, Section 5.4, which specifically addresses unlawful discriminatory practices against individuals of the Jewish faith, defining antisemitism according to the standards set by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and the U.S. Department of State.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that while antisemitism is recognized as a form of discrimination, criticism of Israel is not considered antisemitic if it is comparable to criticism directed at other countries. This legislative change aims to provide clearer guidelines for identifying and addressing discrimination based on religious creed, particularly in relation to antisemitism, thereby reinforcing the commitment to combat discrimination in Pennsylvania. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 68 (Jan 14, 2025): P.L.744, No.222
Printer's No. 0068: P.L.744, No.222