House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

Posted:	March 12, 2021 10:57 AM
From:	Representative Nancy Guenst
To:	All House members
Subject:	Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Marital and Familial Status

A worker’s marital status, number of children, lack of children, or whether a person is a caregiver is irrelevant to an applicant’s ability to perform the functions of the job. To be blunt, it is inappropriate for an employer or potential employer to ask these questions and it is a form of discrimination. Overwhelmingly, these types of workers are placed in difficult situations when applying for jobs or promotions. The General Assembly needs to reinforce federal laws that end discrimination based on marital or familial status. I will be introducing legislation amending the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to prohibit employers from discriminating based on an applicant's marital, familial, or family caregiver status. Employers would be prohibited from asking job applicants or employees if they have children, plan to have children, are married, or are a caregiver. We must stand with workers and create a level and fair playing field in Pennsylvania’s places of business. It is time we show all workers that they are valued and appreciated in the workplace. Please join me in bringing equity to all workers in Pennsylvania.
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Introduced as HB1210