HB 2103 — An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for the title of the act, for findings and declaration of policy, for right to freedom from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, for definitions, for unlawful discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real estate practices; providing for protection of religious exercise; and further providing for powers and duties of the commission and for construction and exclusiveness of remedy.

PRINTER'S NO.   2712

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2103
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY WAXMAN, KHAN, SANCHEZ, HOHENSTEIN AND RIVERA,
        DECEMBER 16, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT,
        DECEMBER 17, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), entitled
 2      "An act prohibiting certain practices of discrimination
 3      because of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age or
 4      national origin by employers, employment agencies, labor
 5      organizations and others as herein defined; creating the
 6      Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission in the Governor's
 7      Office; defining its functions, powers and duties; providing
 8      for procedure and enforcement; providing for formulation of
 9      an educational program to prevent prejudice; providing for
10      judicial review and enforcement and imposing penalties,"
11      further providing for unlawful discriminatory practices.
12      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
13   hereby enacts as follows:
14      Section 1.    Section 5(h)(10) of the act of October 27, 1955
15   (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations
16   Act, is amended to read:
17      Section 5.    Unlawful Discriminatory Practices.--It shall be
18   an unlawful discriminatory practice, unless based upon a bona
19   fide occupational qualification, or in the case of a fraternal
20   corporation or association, unless based upon membership in such
21   association or corporation, or except where based upon
22   applicable security regulations established by the United States
 1   or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
 2      * * *
 3      (h)    For any person to:
 4      * * *
 5      (10)    Nothing in this clause shall bar any religious or
 6   denominational institution or organization or any charitable or
 7   educational organization which is operated, supervised or
 8   controlled by or in connection with a religious organization or
 9   any bona fide private or fraternal organization from giving
10   preference to persons of the same religion or denomination or to
11   members of such private or fraternal organization or from making
12   such selection as is calculated by such organization to promote
13   the religious principles or the aims, purposes or fraternal
14   principles for which it is established or maintained. Nor shall
15   it apply to the rental of rooms in a landlord-occupied rooming
16   house with a common entrance, nor with respect to discrimination
17   based on sex, the advertising, rental or leasing of housing
18   accommodations in a single-sex dormitory or rooms in one's
19   personal residence in which common living areas are shared. As
20   used in this clause, the term "bona fide private or fraternal
21   organization" shall not include organizations that restrict
22   membership in the organization on account of race, color,
23   national origin or ancestry for the purpose or effect of denying
24   equal access to housing, employment or public accommodations.
25      * * *
26      Section 2.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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