HB 64 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act prohibiting the penalization of employees for nonparticipation in religious or political matters; providing for notice requirements; establishing the Captive Audience Meeting Enforcement Fund; and imposing penalties.

HB 64 prohibits Pennsylvania employers from punishing employees (including firing, discipline, or threatening adverse actions) for refusing to attend or participate in employer-sponsored meetings about political matters (like elections or party support) or religious matters (like religious affiliation). Employers must post a notice of these rights within 30 days of the law taking effect, and employees can sue for violations like lost wages or retaliation within one year. The bill does not apply to required legal communications, job-related meetings, or voluntary participation in such matters. It allows employees to report violations without fear of retaliation and provides remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or attorney fees.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0053 → Printer's No. PN3056 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill was updated to expand its applicability to government entities and public schools, add new definitions for key terms, and significantly strengthen enforcement by creating a dedicated enforcement fund and increasing penalty fines. The version also clarifies that the act does not prohibit employers from requiring certain training or restricts labor organizations from accessing employees in the workplace.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, public school entities, and various government instrumentalities, which were not explicitly included in the original version.

SCOPE

Added the Commonwealth, political subdivisions, public schools, and government instrumentalities to the definition of 'Employer'.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'EMPLOY' and 'SECRETARY' to clarify terminology.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new section authorizing the Secretary to investigate violations and subpoena witnesses.

Increased administrative fines for first violations to $2,500 per employee and second or subsequent violations to $5,000 per employee.

FISCAL

Established a new 'Captive Audience Meeting Enforcement Fund' to collect and use fines for enforcing the act.

REQUIREMENT

Added a duty for the Department to create and post a notice of employee rights on its website.

Added exemptions stating the act does not prohibit requiring antidiscrimination training or restrict labor organizations from accessing employees for collective bargaining purposes.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported as amended

lower

Jan 14, 2025

Committee

Referred to Labor & Industry

lower

1 primary · 23 co-sponsors