HARRISBURG – A group of PA House members introduced a package of bills aimed at safeguarding freedom of speech without facing discrimination or retribution. The members include Columbia County Rep. Robert Leadbeter, Franklin County Rep. Rob Kauffman, and York County Rep. Joe D’Orsie. Leadbeter’s bills would grant civil immunity to any parent who refuses to use his or her child’s preferred pronouns or refuses to consent to gender affirming medical services. Under his second bill, in terms of custody matters, a parent’s refusal to refer to his or her child by the child’s preferred pronouns or refusal to consent to gender affirmation treatments may not be considered by the court when determining the best interest of the child. Kauffman’s bill would grant civil immunity to any individual who refuses to use another person’s preferred pronouns. D’Orsie’s measure would prohibit school districts from disciplining any teacher who refuses to use a child’s preferred pronouns.
REP. JOE D’ORSIE
REP. ROB KAUFFMAN
REP. ROBERT LEADBETER