Pennsylvania HB 964: An Act providing for employment leave for victims and victims' families because of violence; prohibiting certain acts by employers; prescribing penalties; and providing for a cause of action.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1041
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 964
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY O'MARA, SANCHEZ, HOWARD, GIRAL, HILL-EVANS,
CIRESI, SCHLOSSBERG, HOHENSTEIN, KHAN, HARKINS, BELLMON,
OTTEN, CERRATO, GREEN, CURRY, WAXMAN, STEELE, HANBIDGE AND
DOUGHERTY, MARCH 19, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, MARCH 19, 2025
AN ACT
Providing for employment leave for victims and victims' families
because of violence; prohibiting certain acts by employers;
prescribing penalties; and providing for a cause of action.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Victims of
Violence Safe Employment Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Abuse of a vulnerable adult." The term includes:
(1) Force or threat of force of inappropriate use of
medications or physical or chemical restraints.
(2) Misuse of power or authority granted to a person
through a power of attorney or by a court in a guardianship
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

or conservatorship proceeding that results in unreasonable
confinement or restriction of liberty.
(3) An act of violence against, or the taking,
transferring, concealing, harming or disposing of, an
emotional support or service animal owned, possessed or held
by a vulnerable adult.
(4) The failure of a caregiver to provide goods, care or
services essential to avoid a clear and serious threat to the
physical or mental health of a vulnerable adult.
(5) An act or course of conduct by a caregiver against a
vulnerable adult or a vulnerable adult's resources, without
the informed consent of the vulnerable adult or with consent
obtained through misrepresentation, coercion or threats of
force, that results in monetary, personal or other benefit,
gain or profit for the perpetrator or monetary or personal
loss to the vulnerable adult.
(6) The desertion of a vulnerable adult by a caregiver.
(7) Knowingly restricting the movement or independence
of a vulnerable adult without the vulnerable adult's consent
by removing means of transportation, communication or access
to other activities of daily living, including removing
access to assistive technology, communication devices or
mobility aids.
"Attesting third party." A disability service organization
manager or coordinator, caregiver agency coordinator or manager,
a law enforcement official, licensed health care professional,
licensed social worker, victim advocate or victim service
provider.
"Department." The Department of Labor and Industry of the
Commonwealth.
20250HB0964PN1041 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

"Domestic violence." The occurrence of any of the following
acts between family or household members as defined under 23
Pa.C.S. § 6102(a) (relating to definitions):
(1) Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing, or
attempting to cause, bodily injury, serious bodily injury or
sexual violence.
(2) Placing another individual in reasonable fear of
imminent serious bodily harm.
(3) An act of domestic and other violence as defined
under 55 Pa. Code § 3042.3 (relating to definitions).
(4) The infliction of false imprisonment under 18
Pa.C.S. § 2903 (relating to false imprisonment).
"Employee." An individual who is employed by an employer in
this Commonwealth.
"Employer." As defined in section 103 of the Workers'
Compensation Act.
"Family member." Includes any of the following:
(1) A biological child, adopted or foster child,
stepchild or legal ward, a child of a domestic partner or a
child to whom an employee stands in loco parentis, regardless
of age.
(2) A biological parent, foster parent, stepparent or
adoptive parent or legal guardian of an employee or an
employee's spouse or domestic partner or an individual who
stood in loco parentis when the employee or the employee's
spouse or domestic partner was a minor child.
(3) An individual to whom the employee is legally
married under the laws of any state or a domestic partner of
an employee as registered under the laws of any state or
political subdivision.
20250HB0964PN1041 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

(4) A grandparent, grandchild or sibling, whether of a
biological, foster, adoptive or step relationship, of the
employee or the employee's spouse or domestic partner.
(5) An individual who has an intimate or romantic
relationship with an employee.
(6) An individual who habitually resides in a dwelling
unit with an employee or has previously habitually resided in
a dwelling unit with an employee for a period of not less
than two years.
(7) An individual who has established an emotionally
significant relationship with an employee, and for whom the
employee is responsible for providing or arranging hea