Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB964

Introduced
3/19/25  

Caption

Providing for employment leave for victims and victims' families because of violence; prohibiting certain acts by employers; prescribing penalties; and providing for a cause of action.

Impact

This legislation imposes new requirements on employers, compelling them to develop policies that allow for up to 20 weeks of leave for victims in a 12-month period. Employers are tasked with maintaining group health insurance coverage during this leave and providing reasonable accommodations to ensure the safety and well-being of employees impacted by violence. Furthermore, it grants rights against discriminatory practices, ensuring that employees can return to their previous or equivalent positions without punitive repercussions, thus reinforcing workplace security for vulnerable individuals.

Summary

House Bill 964, known as the Victims of Violence Safe Employment Act, seeks to ensure adequate employment leave for individuals who are victims of certain violent acts or have family members who are victims. The bill mandates that employers provide necessary leave while prohibiting any forms of retaliation against employees taking such leave. It supports employees seeking medical treatment, legal assistance, or engaging with victim services, thereby acknowledging the significant impact of violence on their capacity to maintain employment and well-being.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 964 tends to favor the proposed protections for employees, reflecting a growing societal acknowledgment of the need to address the issues faced by victims of violence within the workplace. Advocates argue that the bill provides crucial support, reflecting a compassionate response to the impact of violence on individuals and their families. Conversely, some opposing voices raise concerns about the burden this may place on employers, particularly small businesses, regarding the implementation and potential costs associated with these new obligations.

Contention

Notable points of contention include discussions around the duration of leave allowed and the stipulations related to verification or certification of victim status. Opponents also worry about how this act would interact with existing employment laws and collective bargaining agreements. This discourse highlights a tension between ensuring necessary support for victims and managing the operational realities of businesses that must comply with the new regulations.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2477

Providing for employment leave for victims and victims' families because of violence; prohibiting certain acts by employers; prescribing penalties; and providing for a cause of action.

PA SB580

Establishing the Pennsylvania Family and Medical Leave Program and the Family and Medical Leave Fund; conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; creating a right of action; and imposing penalties.

PA HB1441

Providing for tenants' rights in cases of violence.

PA SB13

Providing for mandatory Statewide employer-paid sick leave for employees and for civil penalties and remedies.

PA HB2002

Prohibiting certain employee name tags; and providing for penalties.

PA HB181

Establishing the Family and Medical Leave Program and the Family and Medical Leave Fund; conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

PA HB838

In theft and related offenses, further providing for the offense of financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person and providing for the offense of financial exploitation of a family or household member and for civil causes of action in cases of financial exploitation; and imposing penalties.

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

PA HB428

In assault, further providing for the offense of aggravated assault and for probable cause arrests in domestic violence cases; repealing provisions relating to abortion; in incapacitated persons, further providing for provisions concerning powers, duties and liabilities; providing for reproductive rights; imposing duties on the Department of Health; and imposing penalties.

PA HB854

Providing for paid leave time for a pregnancy loss or related reason; and imposing penalties.

Similar Bills

PA HB2477

Providing for employment leave for victims and victims' families because of violence; prohibiting certain acts by employers; prescribing penalties; and providing for a cause of action.

PA SB276

Promoting family health and economic security by eliminating discrimination and ensuring reasonable workplace accommodations for workers whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

NJ A1877

Requires employers to allow certain employees to work remotely or receive alternative accommodations during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

MI HB4218

Civil rights: employment discrimination; discrimination in employment based on certain vaccination status; prohibit. Amends 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2101 - 37.2804) by adding art. 5A.

CT SB00056

An Act Deterring Age Discrimination In Employment Applications.

KY HB824

AN ACT relating to employer requirements for victims of domestic abuse.

CT SB00085

An Act Deterring Age Discrimination In Employment Applications.

CT SB01035

An Act Concerning Limitations On The Use Of Nondisclosure Agreements.