Pennsylvania legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Pennsylvania HB1956: 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.
Status: In committee, October 17, 2025
What the bill says
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.
From the introduced text, October 17, 2025:
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. 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 clause to read: Section 4. Definitions.--As used in this act unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context: * * * (bb) The term "sex" means only the sexes of male and female, as determined by an individual's biological sex at birth, and does not include any concept of gender that is distinguishable from biological sex. Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days. 20250HB1956PN2473 - 2 -
Sponsors
- James Walsh (R, 117) · primary sponsor