PRINTER'S NO. 1860
No. 1537 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY ITKIN, ARGALL, CARN, NICKOL, TRELLO, GEIST, DALEY,
MELIO, BELARDI, WALKO, SHANER, TIGUE, PESCI, STABACK,
MIHALICH, MANDERINO, JOSEPHS, PRESTON, BELFANTI, RAMOS AND
JAMES, MAY 28, 1997
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, MAY 28, 1997
AN ACT
1 Requiring certain government information forms to provide for a
2 multiracial classification.
3 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
4 hereby enacts as follows:
5 Section 1. Short title.
6 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Multiracial
7 Recognition Act.
8 Section 2. Definitions.
9 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
10 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
11 context clearly indicates otherwise:
12 "Informational form." Any application, questionnaire or
13 other written document utilized to collect information.
14 "Public entity." The Commonwealth, a political subdivision
15 or an instrumentality of the Commonwealth or a political
16 subdivision.
1 "Racial classification form." An informational form that is
2 specific, either by question or by indicated response, as to
3 racial or ethnic identification of an individual.
4 Section 3. Multiracial classification.
5 (a) Requirement.--Except as provided in subsection (d), a
6 racial classification form utilized by a public entity must
7 contain, or permit a response for, a racial or ethnic
8 classification designated as "multiracial."
9 (b) Prohibition.--Except as provided in subsection (d), a
10 racial classification form utilized by a public entity may not
11 make a racial or ethnic classification designated as "other."
12 (c) Effect.--A racial classification form in violation of
13 this section is invalid.
14 (d) Exception.--This section does not apply to a racial
15 classification printed and stocked by a public entity before
16 July 1, 1997.
17 Section 4. Effective date.
18 This act shall take effect immediately.
B3L71JLW/19970H1537B1860 - 2 -