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PA HB1902
Bill
Status
9/30/2025
Primary Sponsor
Dan Frankel
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AI Summary
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Renames Pennsylvania's "ethnic intimidation" offense to "hate-based intimidation" and expands protected categories to include ethnicity, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and disability, in addition to the existing protections for race, color, religion, and national origin
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Expands civil liability to allow victims to sue not only the person who committed hate-based intimidation, but also anyone who solicited the conduct or knowingly provided aid with intent to facilitate it
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Establishes civil remedies including actual damages or $500 minimum, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs, and injunctive relief for victims of hate-based intimidation or institutional vandalism
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Requires annual training on hate-based intimidation for law enforcement officers, developed by the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission and State Police in consultation with the Human Relations Commission, Attorney General, and community stakeholders
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Takes effect 60 days after enactment and includes a religious freedom protection clause stating the law cannot be used to prohibit constitutionally protected religious speech or conduct
Legislative Description
In assault, further providing for the offense of ethnic intimidation; in particular rights and immunities, further providing for civil rights violations; and, in employees, further providing for definitions and providing for annual officer training on hate-based intimidation.
Last Action
Referred to Judiciary
9/30/2025