HB 2355
An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for procedure.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to adjust the civil penalties for discriminatory practices. Specifically, it increases the maximum penalties that can be assessed against respondents found guilty of discrimination, with the amount increasing based on the number of prior judgments. Additionally, the bill establishes a mechanism to adjust these penalties annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index, ensuring they keep pace with inflation. The bill also extends the timeframe for filing complaints.
Key provisions
- Increases maximum civil penalties for discriminatory practices, up to $131,308.
- Penalties are tiered based on the number of prior discriminatory judgments.
- Establishes an annual adjustment mechanism for penalties based on the Consumer Price Index.
- Sets the initial adjustment year for the CPI-based penalty increase at fiscal year 2026-2027.
- Extends the time limit for filing discrimination complaints to 365 days.
- Clarifies that penalties are not affected if the same person commits multiple discriminatory acts.
- Requires the Commission to publish adjusted penalty amounts in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Who is affected
- Employers
- Employment agencies
- Labor organizations
- Individuals experiencing discrimination
- The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
Notable changes
- Increases civil penalties for discriminatory practices.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Benjamin Sanchez
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