The bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to enhance the procedures for handling discrimination complaints. Key changes include a stipulation that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission must complete its investigation within 180 days of receiving a complaint, after which it can make a determination if the investigation is incomplete. The bill also reduces the time frame for respondents to respond to complaints from thirty to twenty days and introduces provisions for mediation and the possibility of reimbursement for defendants if a claim is found to be unfounded. Additionally, it specifies that only disparate treatment claims can be brought under this act and clarifies that discrimination can be established even if other factors also motivated the employment practice.

Furthermore, the bill repeals existing provisions that allowed for the establishment of local human relations commissions, thereby prohibiting their creation and ensuring that all complaints are handled exclusively by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. It also includes a new section that allows the Commission to enforce reasonable dress or grooming standards for employees during work hours. The amendments are set to take effect 60 days after the bill's passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 195 (Jan 22, 2025): P.L.744, No.222
Printer's No. 0195: P.L.744, No.222