Pennsylvania HB 85: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for unlawful discriminatory practices; and providing for unlawful discriminatory practices against certain religions.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 68
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 85
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MARCELL, WHITE, GREINER AND KUZMA,
JANUARY 14, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 14, 2025
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 unlawful discriminatory practices; and
providing for unlawful discriminatory practices against
certain religions.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5 introductory paragraph of the act of
October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania
Human Relations Act, is amended to read:
Section 5. Unlawful Discriminatory Practices.--[It] Subject
to section 5.4, 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
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where based upon applicable security regulations established by
the United States or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
* * *
Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
Section 5.4. Unlawful Discriminatory Practices Against
Certain Religions.--For purposes of section 5, with regard to
the Jewish faith, unlawful discriminatory practices based on
religious creed:
(a) Shall include:
(1) The definition of "antisemitism" adopted on May 26,
2016, by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and
used by the United States Department of State.
(2) Contemporary examples of antisemitism identified by the
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on the effective
date of this paragraph.
(b) Do not include criticism of Israel similar to that
leveled against any other country.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250HB0085PN0068 - 2 -
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