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Bill > HB85
PA HB85
PA HB85Further providing for unlawful discriminatory practices; and providing for unlawful discriminatory practices against certain religions.
summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
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.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to explicitly address discriminatory practices against the Jewish faith by adding a new section defining antisemitism. Specifically, the bill incorporates the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which was adopted in 2016 and is used by the U.S. Department of State. The bill specifies that unlawful discriminatory practices based on religious creed for the Jewish faith include contemporary examples of antisemitism identified by the IHRA. Importantly, the bill clarifies that criticism of Israel similar to criticism leveled against any other country would not be considered antisemitic. The legislation modifies the existing law's introductory language to reference the new section and provides that these changes will take effect 60 days after the bill's passage. This amendment aims to provide clearer protections against antisemitic discrimination by establishing a standardized definition and set of examples to guide interpretation of unlawful discriminatory practices.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Referred to State Government (on 01/14/2025)
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