The proposed bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to enhance protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations by adding "sex," "sexual orientation," and "gender identity or expression" to the list of protected categories, which already includes race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, and national origin. It emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive environment and addresses the negative impacts of discrimination on public health and welfare. The bill also clarifies definitions related to discrimination and expands the definition of "employer" to include religious and charitable organizations with four or more employees, while outlining unlawful discriminatory practices and prohibiting discrimination in housing and lending.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that protects the rights of religious entities to express their tenets without infringing on the free exercise of religion. It empowers the Commission to create advisory agencies to study discrimination issues and promote goodwill among diverse groups, while also requiring the Commission to issue publications and annual reports on discrimination complaints. The bill allows employers to enforce reasonable dress or grooming standards, provided they do not conflict with laws and respect employees' gender identity or expression. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen anti-discrimination measures and promote inclusivity in various sectors, taking effect 30 days after passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 874 (Jun 03, 2025): P.L.744, No.222, P.L.604, No.304