Keystone Today

Gov. Tom Wolf has always been a proponent of protecting the LGBTQ community in Pennsylvania, and he recently commended the PA Human Relations Act and the PA Fair Education Opportunities Act.

The new final form regulation is effective as of Dec. 8, a news release from Wolf’s office said. The change formalizes nondiscrimination protection for LGBTQ residents by the state’s regulatory board.

“I have been clear – hate has no place in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said in the release. “This includes protecting the rights of individuals facing discrimination by a school, landlord, or employer based on who they love or their gender identity. Today’s approval by the commonwealth’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission is another important step to ensure all Pennsylvanians can live with dignity and freedom.”

Wolf has taken anti-discrimination steps during his time in office, including the signing of an executive order in 2021 that added sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected classes under sexual harassment policies.

Pennsylvania is one of 21 stats that does not have a law that bans discrimination. Wolf supported House Bill 300, known as the Fairness Act, that would have protected from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. He also supported House Bill 1066, known as the CROWN Act, which prohibited discrimination about hair texture or style. Republican-led efforts cut those proposed bills, leaving action through regulation as a method for the Wolf administration to protect residents.