PA HB245

Amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to reduce response deadlines from 30 to 20 days for sending complaints to respondents and for respondents to file answers, and limits hearings to 5 days (with possible 7-day extension)

Restricts discrimination claims to disparate treatment only, requiring proof that discrimination was a motivating factor; disparate treatment may be proven through repeated patterns of decisions with disparate impact

Allows defendants to seek reimbursement of reasonable attorney fees from the Commission if a discrimination claim against them is determined to be unfounded

Prohibits political subdivisions from establishing new local human relations commissions with the same powers as the state Commission, and requires existing local commissions to comply with state Commission policies and procedures

Permits employers to require employees to adhere to reasonable dress or grooming standards during work hours, provided the standards don't violate other federal, state, or local laws