summary
Introduced
10/17/2025
10/17/2025
In Committee
10/17/2025
10/17/2025
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 definitions.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act by modifying the definition of "sex" to specifically mean only male and female sexes, as determined by an individual's biological sex at birth. The proposed change explicitly excludes any concept of gender that is different from biological sex, effectively narrowing the legal understanding of sex to a strictly biological interpretation. This modification could have significant implications for anti-discrimination protections, potentially limiting the rights of transgender and non-binary individuals in employment, housing, and other contexts covered by the original Human Relations Act. The bill would go into effect 60 days after its passage, providing a brief transition period for implementation. The change appears to be part of a broader trend of legislative efforts to define sex and gender in more restrictive, binary terms, which could impact how discrimination claims are interpreted and processed by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (22)
James Walsh (R)*,
Marc Anderson (R),
Scott Barger (R),
Joshua Bashline (R),
Aaron Bernstine (R),
Stephanie Borowicz (R),
Joe D'Orsie (R),
Wendy Fink (R),
Ann Flood (R),
Valerie Gaydos (R),
Mark Gillen (R),
Barb Gleim (R),
Joe Hamm (R),
Doyle Heffley (R),
Rob Kauffman (R),
Andrew Kuzma (R),
Milou Mackenzie (R),
Kathy Rapp (R),
Perry Stambaugh (R),
Joanne Stehr (R),
Dane Watro (R),
Dave Zimmerman (R),
Last Action
Referred to State Government (on 10/17/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb1956 |
| BillText | https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/text/PDF/2025/0/HB1956/PN2473 |
Loading...