THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY COSTA, KITCHEN, TARTAGLIONE, WASHINGTON, LEACH, STACK, FONTANA, BOSCOLA, BROWNE, WILLIAMS AND BREWSTER, MARCH 22, 2011

REFERRED TO LABOR AND INDUSTRY, MARCH 22, 2011  

AN ACT

Amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222),

entitled, as amended, "An act prohibiting certain practices

of discrimination because of race, color, religious creed,

ancestry, age or national origin by employers, employment

agencies, labor organizations and others as herein defined;

creating the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission in the

Governor's Office; defining its functions, powers and duties;

providing for procedure and enforcement; providing for

formulation of an educational program to prevent prejudice;

providing for judicial review and enforcement and imposing

penalties," further providing for the definition of

"employer."

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 4(b) of the act of October 27, 1955

(P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations

Act, amended December 20, 1991 (P.L.414, No.51), is amended to

read:

Section 4.  Definitions.--As used in this act unless a

different meaning clearly appears from the context:

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(b)  The term "employer" includes the Commonwealth or any

political subdivision or board, department, commission or school

district thereof and any person employing [four] one or more

persons within the Commonwealth, but except as hereinafter

provided, does not include religious, fraternal, charitable or

sectarian corporations or associations, except such corporations

or associations supported, in whole or in part, by governmental

appropriations. The term "employer" with respect to

discriminatory practices based on race, color, age, sex,

national origin or non-job related handicap or disability,

includes religious, fraternal, charitable and sectarian

corporations and associations employing [four] one or more

persons within the Commonwealth.

* * *

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.