Bill > HB638

This bill establishes the Compassionate Name Change Assistance Grant Program and the Compassionate Name Change Assistance Grant Fund within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The grant program provides funding to eligible nonprofit organizations, counties, and local governments to administer programs that provide support and guidance to individuals navigating the process of legally changing their names, particularly those who face biases or inequalities based on gender or sexual stereotypes. The bill also transfers $2 million from the General Fund to the newly created grant fund and limits administrative costs to no more than 1% of the fund. The department is responsible for reviewing and approving grant applications, with a minimum grant amount of $5,000 and a maximum of $100,000, with some exceptions for certain applicants.