Pennsylvania HB 2357: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for definitions, for unlawful discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real estate practices.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3131
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2357
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY SMITH-WADE-EL, HILL-EVANS, MAYES, STEELE, RIVERA,
PASHINSKI, SANCHEZ, FLEMING, D. WILLIAMS, BRENNAN, CEPEDA-
FREYTIZ, GREEN, BOROWSKI, HOHENSTEIN, KRAJEWSKI AND CURRY,
APRIL 2, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT,
APRIL 2, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), entitled
"An act prohibiting certain practices of discrimination
because of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age or
national origin by employers, employment agencies, labor
organizations and others as herein defined; creating the
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission in the Governor's
Office; defining its functions, powers and duties; providing
for procedure and enforcement; providing for formulation of
an educational program to prevent prejudice; providing for
judicial review and enforcement and imposing penalties,"
further providing for definitions, for unlawful
discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real
estate practices.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 4 of the act of October 27, 1955
(P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations
Act, is amended by adding a subsection to read:
Section 4. Definitions.--As used in this act unless a
different meaning clearly appears from the context:
* * *
(ee) The term "source of income" means all lawful sources of
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income, including earned income, child support, alimony,
insurance and pension proceeds, and all forms of public
assistance, including Federal, State and local housing
assistance programs.
Section 2. Sections 5(h)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (8)
and 5.3 of the act are amended to read:
Section 5. Unlawful Discriminatory Practices.--It shall be
an unlawful discriminatory practice, unless based upon a bona
fide occupational qualification, or in the case of a fraternal
corporation or association, unless based upon membership in such
association or corporation, or except where based upon
applicable security regulations established by the United States
or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
* * *
(h) For any person to:
(1) Refuse to sell, lease, finance or otherwise to deny or
withhold any housing accommodation or commercial property from
any person because of the race, color, familial status, age,
religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin [or], handicap
or disability or source of income of any person, prospective
owner, occupant or user of such housing accommodation or
commercial property, or to refuse to lease any housing
accommodation or commercial property to any person due to use of
a guide animal because of the blindness or deafness of the user,
use of a support animal because of a physical handicap of the
user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or
guide animals or because of the handicap or disability of an
individual with whom the person is known to have a relationship
or association.
* * *
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(2) Refuse to lend money, whether or not secured by mortgage
or otherwise for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation,
repair or maintenance of any housing accommodation or commercial
property or otherwise withhold financing of any housing
accommodation or commercial property from any person because of
the race, color, familial status, age, religious creed,
ancestry, sex, national origin, handicap or disability or source
of income of any person, the use of a guide or support animal
because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the
user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or
guide animals or because of the handicap or disability of an
individual with whom the person is known to have a relationship
or association.
(3) Discriminate against any person in the terms or
conditions of selling or leasing any housing accommodation or
commercial property or in furnishing facilities, services or
privileges in connection with the ownership, occupancy or use of
any housing accommodation or commercial property because of the
race, color, familial status, age, religious creed, ancestry,
sex, national origin, handicap or disability or source of income
of any person, the use of a guide or support animal because of
the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or
because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide
animals or because of the handicap or disability of an
individual with whom the person is known to have a relationship
or association.
* * *
(4) Discriminate against any person in the terms or
conditions of any loan of money, whether or not secured by
mortgage or otherwise for the acquisition, construction,
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