Northampton County Human Relations Ordinance
Effective April 23, 2026, a Human Relations Ordinance applies to employers with one or more employees in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. The Ordinance:
- Prohibits discrimination on the basis of a number of protected characteristics;
- Provides protections for traits historically associated with race (e.g., hair texture and protected hairstyles), with certain exceptions for valid rules or policies based on safety, health or bona fide occupational qualifications;
- Prohibits pre-employment disability-related inquiries;
- Restricts pre-employment inquiries into criminal convictions and prohibits consideration of criminal convictions that do not relate to a job applicant's suitability for employment; and
- Prohibits salary history inquiries.
Ord. No. 794-2026.