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A Pennsylvania bill would require employers to post anti-harassment and discrimination policies, with fines for violations and funding for training programs. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Pa. bill would bolster efforts to stop workplace discrimination
Stacy Wescoe//October 10, 2025//
Listen to this articleEmployers would be required to post written policies and procedures to prevent harassment, discrimination, and retaliation against employees under legislation approved by the state House Labor & Industry Committee.
State Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, who authored the bill, said Pennsylvania had the fifth-highest rate of workplace discrimination in the country in 2023, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
“This should be unacceptable to every business owner, and employees should not have to tolerate such unwelcome circumstances in their workplace,” said Madden.
Madden said the EEOC has identified several principles that are generally proven effective in addressing and preventing harassment.
They include strong and comprehensive policies, trusted and accessible complaint procedures, and regular, interactive training tailored to the audience and organization.
“By ensuring that policies are readily available for employees and supervisors to read, it is our hope that far fewer instances of discrimination and harassment will occur,” Madden said.
Under the bill, a person claiming that their employer failed to post the written policies and procedures could file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. If, after investigation, the commission determined that an employer was in violation, it could seek compliance and issue a citation and fine between $500 and $5,000.
In addition to requiring the written policies, H.B. 1825 would create a Human Relations Training Fund to ensure that financial penalties collected under the act are used by the commission for training, education and outreach.
“This would help employers comply with the law and help employees understand their rights,” Madden said.
The committee also approved H.B. 1826, authored by Madden, which would expand Pennsylvania’s workplace harassment law to include employees working in agriculture and domestic service, as well as workplaces with fewer than four employees.
The bills now move to the full Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration.
