News Item

Governor Rendell Signs New Equal Employment Opportunity Executive Order

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Office of the Governor

July 28, 2003

HARRISBURG: Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed a new Executive Order updating the state's equal employment opportunity statute.

"Whereas, this Administration believes that the employment practices of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania should be nondiscriminatory in intent and effect to promote public confidence in the fairness and integrity of government," the Executive Order began, "this Administration is firmly committed to strengthening and developing equal employment opportunity programs in the Commonwealth."

" I am proud today to emphasize my conviction that this state will treat people fairly and with personal respect as long as I serve as the Chief Executive," Governor Rendell said. "The addition of only four words to this short executive order is an important step for the recognition of personal dignity and freedom."

Paragraph 1.a.: "gender identity and expression" were added to this section of the Order, previously reading,  "no agency under the jurisdiction of the Governor shall discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, or disability;"