Colleagues,

This legislation seeks to provide pivotal updates to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, by strengthening how employers handle reports of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.  This legislation creates clear, uniform standards for internal investigations by requiring written policies, signed statements from all parties involved, proper evidence collection, confidentiality guidance, guaranteed copies of employee statements, and record retention for at least 181 days.

It also strengthens anti-retaliation protections, requires employers to keep prior versions of their policies, mandates annual reporting of adverse discrimination ruling to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), and ensures timely updates when federal or state law changes. 

With a fair, tiered fine structure, and waivers for first time or cured violations, this legislation offers employers clarity while giving workers the reliable protection they deserve. Your partnership on this effort would mean a great deal as we work to promote safer, more accountable workplaces across the Commonwealth.