Posted: | January 19, 2017 04:10 PM |
---|---|
From: | Representative Maureen E. Madden |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Amending the PA Fair Educational Opportunities Act |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation amending the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act to expand prohibitions against discrimination. The act currently provides for equality of educational opportunities regardless of an individual’s race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, handicap or disability. My proposal would expand those protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age, making it consistent with the Human Relations Commission. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission currently has responsibility for enforcing all of the Commonwealth’s antidiscrimination laws regarding race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age or national origin by employers, employment agencies, labor organizations and others. The Commission is also responsible for enforcement and oversight of the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act. My proposal would expand the protections outlined in the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act to better conform with provisions in the Human Relations Act, an issue which was previously raised by Mr. Frank Finch III, Philadelphia labor lawyer and previous employee of the Commission. |