Committee advances bill to close fraternal exemption used to justify racially exclusive housing

House Bill 2103 moved out of the Housing & Community Development committee by a 26-0 vote after sponsors and members said the measure closes a legal loophole being tested by extremist groups.

Sponsor Representative Ben Waxman told the committee the bill "is really to close a loophole" used, he said, by white-nationalist groups seeking to build racially segregated communities and relying on fraternal-organization exemptions. Waxman said the bill "strengthens Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act by explicitly saying that exemptions extended to bona fide private or fraternal organizations in giving preference to members do not apply to organizations that restrict membership based on race, color, national origin, or ancestry."

Committee discussion referenced legal opinions from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The member identified as the committee chair said he viewed the bill as a narrowed clarification and noted the intent that it not cause harm to legitimate organizations; he said groups "motivated by hate, should not be celebrated or empowered." Committee members did not propose amendments at the hearing.

The committee conducted a fast roll and the chair announced the bill "passes committee 26 to 0." The measure will next proceed toward consideration on the House floor.

The article attributes direct quotes to Rep. Ben Waxman and the committee chair as recorded in committee proceedings. The transcript identifies the staff summary of the bill as coming from a staff member named Jim.