State Representative Ben Sanchez, who serves Rockledge and parts of Abington and Upper Dublin townships, announced today that he has sponsored two bills—HB1311 and HB1315—both of which are “aimed at strengthening civil rights protections, modernizing state law, and improving the fairness of Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system”, according to a press release.
House Bill 1311 “would prohibit the use of the so-called ‘LGBTQ+ panic’ defense in Pennsylvania courts, preventing perpetrators of violent crimes from attempting to reduce or avoid criminal responsibility by blaming a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“Justice should never hinge on prejudice,” Sanchez said in a statement. “This legislation ensures that bias against LGBTQ+ individuals cannot be used as a legal strategy to excuse or justify acts of violence.”
House Bill 1315 “would eliminate the outdated requirement that individuals publish notice of their legal name change and would automatically seal name change records for people seeking the change to affirm their gender identity.”
“The current publication requirement is an unnecessary and costly barrier that can also put vulnerable people at risk,” Sanchez said in a statement. “This bill modernizes the process while protecting the safety and privacy of those who need it most.”
Sanchez noted in a post that he voted “YES” on six related bills “that will have a meaningful impact on the LGBTQ+ community and many others.”
“I firmly believe Pennsylvania should be a welcoming place for every resident, and that prejudice has no place in our laws,” Sanchez said in the post. “Together we can make PA stronger by celebrating and protecting its diversity.”
“As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to ensure our laws reflect both our shared values and the realities of today,” said House Judiciary Committee Chair Tim Briggs. “These bills address longstanding gaps in our statutes, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure our justice system treats people fairly while keeping Pennsylvanians safe.”
You can read the language of all eight bills here.
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