The Pennsylvania State Legislature has given final approval to the Fair Employment Practices Bill when the State Senate adopted the bill by a vote of 44 to five. The FEPC bill, which bars discrimination in employment because of race, color and creed, was approved months ago by the Penna. House of Representatives. The act contains a further stipulation that employers shall not be allowed to discriminate against persons in the 40 to 62 age bracket because of old age. It was this amendment which caused such a bitter debate and held up the bill for several months.
In addition, a nine-man bi-partisan commission will be set up to administer the act. The act carries penalties of from $100 to $500 in fines or 30 days in prison for violators. Both labor organizations and employment agencies will be barred henceforth from using application forms that contain information which might come under the “discrimination” clause.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.