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Read. Follow. Verify.Pennsylvania House Bill 300 adds sexual orientation and gender identity to statewide anti-discrimination laws
Last action · March 24, 2026: Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, March 24, 2026Sponsors: Malcolm Kenyatta and 53 others
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What This Bill Would Do
House Bill 300 amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on and in employment, housing, s, and commercial property. The measure expands the definition of employers subject to these rules and protects religious exercise under the Religious Freedom Protection Act.
Workers, renters, and patrons gain explicit statewide legal protections against discrimination based on or gender identity, while employers and housing providers must comply with new non-discrimination standards within 30 days of enactment.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Employees and Job Seekers
Workers gain explicit statewide protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in hiring, compensation, and terms of employment.
Employers and Business Owners
Employers with four or more employees must comply with expanded non-discrimination requirements regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.
Tenants and Homebuyers
Individuals gain protected status against housing discrimination, refusal to rent or lend, and premature eviction due to pregnancy or childbirth.
Religious Entities
Religious organizations are subject to specific employment provisions while receiving explicit protections for religious exercise under the Religious Freedom Protection Act.
Key Facts
- The bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act of October 27, 1955, to add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected characteristics.
- Discriminatory practices are prohibited in employment, housing accommodations, commercial property, and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
- The term 'employer' is expanded to include the Commonwealth, political subdivisions, and any person employing four or more persons, including religious, fraternal, charitable, or sectarian corporations with four or more employees regarding certain discriminatory practices.
- Evicting or attempting to evict an occupant before the end of a lease term because of pregnancy or the birth of a child is classified as an unlawful discriminatory practice.
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- Landlords and housing providers must permit reasonable modifications at the expense of a person with a handicap and make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services.
- The measure protects religious exercise by specifying that no provision shall require an individual or religious entity to engage in conduct constituting a substantial burden on the free exercise of religion without a compelling interest, consistent with the Religious Freedom Protection Act.
- The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is required to submit an annual report by March 31 detailing complaints, investigations, and case statuses to the General Assembly, specific legislative committees, and the Governor.
- The act takes effect in 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently on floor. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Passed.
Procedural history
7 actions- Mar 24, 2026HouseRe-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, March 24, 2026
- Mar 24, 2026HouseFloorSecond consideration, March 24, 2026
- Mar 23, 2026HouseRemoved from table, March 23, 2026
- Mar 19, 2026HouseLaid on the table, March 19, 2026
- Mar 19, 2026HouseIntroducedFirst consideration, March 19, 2026
- Mar 19, 2026HouseCommitteeReported as committed, March 19, 2026
Show 1 earlier action
- Jun 2, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to JUDICIARY, June 2, 2025
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 49 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Statewide Civil Rights Protections
The measure systematically integrates sexual orientation and gender identity or expression across all core sections of the 1955 Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, marking a major update to state anti-discrimination policy.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.palegis.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy80Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz65Current news / social attention level
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