Bill > HB1825

This bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to require employers to adopt comprehensive written policies and procedures addressing workplace harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. The new provisions mandate that these policies must include specific elements such as explaining the unlawfulness of harassment and discrimination, establishing complaint procedures, defining supervisor responsibilities, maintaining confidentiality, investigating claims, and prohibiting false reports. Employers must make these policies easily accessible to all employees, potentially through their website, and keep records that can be inspected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The bill establishes a system of fines for non-compliance, with first-time violations incurring a $500-$1,000 penalty and subsequent violations facing $1,000-$5,000 fines. The Commission can waive initial fines if the employer demonstrates they have corrected the violation within 60 days. Interestingly, the bill also includes a provision for a Human Relations Training Fund, though the final version of the bill appears to redirect these collected fines to the General Fund instead. The new requirements will take effect 120 days after the bill's passage, giving employers time to develop and implement the required policies.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1825