About the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) enforces state laws that prohibit discrimination. These state laws include:

Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA), which covers discrimination in employment, housing, commercial property, education, and public accommodations.
Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (PFEOA), which is specific to postsecondary education and secondary vocational and trade schools.

In general, Pennsylvania law prohibits discrimination based on:

Race
Color
Religious creed
Ancestry
Age (40 and over)
Sex
National origin
Familial status (only in housing)
Handicap or disability and the use, handling, or training of support or guide animals for disability
Retaliation for filing a complaint, opposing unlawful behavior, or assisting investigations is also illegal.

Investigation of Federal Discrimination Complaints

To protect the rights of complainants under state and federal law, the PHRC also investigates:

Employment discrimination complaints on behalf of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and
Housing discrimination complaints on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Discrimination Education

The law empowers the PHRC to educate the public to:

Prevent discrimination
Foster equal opportunity
Address incidents of bias that may lead to tension between racial, ethnic, and other groups

Leadership and Commissioners

The PHRC administrative, legal, and investigative staff is led by an executive director in Harrisburg and regional directors in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

Eleven commissioners, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Pa. Senate, act as public liaisons, establish policies, and resolve some cases that are not settled voluntarily.
The commission is independent and nonpartisan, with no more than six commissioners from one political party.
The chairperson is appointed by the governor.
The vice-chairperson, secretary, and assistant secretary are elected by commissioners each year.
Learn more about the PHRC commissioners.

Strategic Plan

In the summer of 2014, the PHRC adopted a three-year strategic plan to guide commission work and priorities and focus on the agency's mission, vision, and values.

Learn more about PHRC's goals and objectives for enforcing non-discrimination laws and promoting equal opportunity (PDF).

Public Meetings

The PHRC holds monthly public meetings and encourages the public to address issues of discrimination or civil tension in their communities.

Learn more about the Public Meetings.

Advisory Councils

The PHRC Advisory Councils serve as liaisons in their communities and work to raise public awareness of civil rights issues.

Learn more about the Advisory Councils

State and Federal Financial Information

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PHRC Vision

The PHRC promotes equal opportunity for all and enforces Pennsylvania's civil rights laws that protect people from unlawful discrimination. As Pennsylvania's civil rights leader, it is our vision that all people in Pennsylvania will live, work, and learn free from unlawful discrimination.