Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
Agency name	Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
Formed	1955
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Headquarters	Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Chief1 position	Chairperson
Chief2 position	Executive Director
Parent agency	Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Website	https://www.phrc.pa.gov/

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) is a state-level civil rights enforcement agency established to combat discrimination and promote equal opportunity. Created in 1955, it was one of the first such commissions in the United States, emerging during the early years of the modern Civil Rights Movement. The PHRC enforces state laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and commercial property, serving as a critical model for state-level civil rights action.

History and establishment

The PHRC was established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly with the passage of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act in 1955. Its creation was a direct response to growing activism against racial discrimination and segregation in the post-World War II era. Influenced by the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision and the work of national organizations like the NAACP, Pennsylvania lawmakers sought to create a proactive state mechanism to address inequality. The commission's founding was championed by Governor George M. Leader, who signed the act into law. This made Pennsylvania a leader among northern states in establishing a permanent administrative body dedicated to civil rights enforcement, predating the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 by nearly a decade.

Powers and responsibilities

The PHRC is vested with broad powers to investigate, conciliate, and adjudicate complaints of unlawful discrimination. Its jurisdiction, defined by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and subsequent amendments like the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act, covers discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. Key responsibilities include receiving and investigating complaints from individuals, conducting public hearings, issuing subpoenas, and rendering legally enforceable decisions and orders. The commission also engages in extensive public education and community outreach to prevent discrimination and foster inclusive communities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Enforcement of anti-discrimination laws

The commission enforces a suite of state anti-discrimination statutes, primarily the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. Its enforcement process typically begins when an individual files a formal complaint alleging discrimination in areas such as employment with a Pennsylvania business, housing from a landlord or realtor, or access to a place of public accommodation like a restaurant or hotel. PHRC investigators then conduct a neutral inquiry. A primary tool is voluntary mediation and conciliation to resolve disputes. If conciliation fails, the commission can hold a public hearing before an administrative law judge and issue a final order, which may include remedies like compensatory damages, hiring or reinstatement, or policy changes. These orders are enforceable in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.

Relationship to federal civil rights efforts

The PHRC operates within a framework of cooperative federalism, working alongside federal agencies like the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through work-sharing agreements, the PHRC often processes complaints that are also covered under federal law, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or the Fair Housing Act. This dual-filing system provides complainants with a "one-stop" portal and allows the state commission to handle investigations, reducing the burden on federal resources. The PHRC's early existence provided a testing ground for civil rights enforcement procedures that informed later federal efforts and continues to address gaps in federal coverage by protecting against discrimination in smaller employers not covered by EEOC rules.

Notable cases and impact

Throughout its history, the PHRC has adjudicated significant cases that expanded civil rights protections within the state. In the 1960s, it addressed systemic segregation in public swimming pools and skating rinks in communities like Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A landmark 1970s case, *PHRC v. Chester Upland School District*, tackled de facto school segregation. The commission has been instrumental in enforcing protections for people with disabilities under the state's Human Relations Act, which in some aspects predated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Its rulings have also shaped law on sexual harassment in the workplace and discrimination based on familial status in housing. The PHRC's consistent enforcement has contributed to broader cultural and legal shifts toward equality in Pennsylvania, influencing business practices, municipal policies, and educational institutions.

Structure and organization

The PHRC is composed of an appointed commission and a professional staff. Eleven commissioners, including a chairperson, are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve staggered five-year terms. This body sets policy, promulgates regulations, and reviews final decisions on cases. Day-to-day operations are managed by an Executive Director and a staff of attorneys, investigators, and community relations specialists. The agency is headquartered in Harrisburg and maintains regional offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and Allentown to ensure statewide accessibility. The commission is administratively housed within the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry but operates with significant independent authority in its adjudicative functions.