Pennsylvania SB1501: An Act establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Freedmen Affairs to provide certain individuals with unfulfilled statutory obligations from the Reconstruction era and craft systemic policy solutions for the socioeconomic impacts of slavery.

What the bill says

From the introduced text, October 26, 2026:

PRINTER'S NO. 2067 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL No. Session of INTRODUCED BY STREET AND CAPPELLETTI, OCTOBER 26, 2026 REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, OCTOBER 26, 2026 Establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Freedmen Affairs to provide certain individuals with unfulfilled statutory obligations from the Reconstruction era and craft systemic policy solutions for the socioeconomic impacts of slavery. 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 Pennsylvania Office of Freedmen Affairs 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: "Descendant group." Individuals who are the documented biological descendants of enslaved Africans in the United States, or descendants of black, negro or colored Americans or freedmen emancipated from slavery prior to or following the Civil War. "Office." The Pennsylvania Office of Freedmen Affairs established under section 3. "Reconstruction era obligations." The statutory commitments, land allocations and institutional protections originally established under the Federal Freedmen's Bureau Acts of 1865- 1867 (13 Stat. 507) that went unfulfilled. Section 3. Establishment of office. The Pennsylvania Office of Freedmen Affairs is established within the executive branch of the Commonwealth. The office shall be headed …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Sharif Street (D, 3) · primary sponsor
• Amanda Cappelletti (D, 17)

Latest actions

1. October 26, 2026: Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, Oct. 26, 2026

Common questions

What is SB1501?

SB1501 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Freedmen Affairs to provide certain individuals with unfulfilled statutory obligations from the Reconstruction era and craft systemic policy solutions for the socioeconomic impacts of slavery.

What is the status of SB1501?

In committee as of October 26, 2026. Latest action: Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, Oct. 26, 2026 (October 26, 2026).

Who sponsored SB1501?

Sharif Street (D, 3), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for SB1501?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb1501