Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission: Fighting Discrimination Across the State

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The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) has been combating discrimination since 1955, protecting individuals from unlawful practices in employment, education, housing, commercial property, and public accommodations. Pennsylvania law prohibits discrimination based on various factors, and the PHRC provides recourse for victims through a structured complaint process.

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Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community About the PHRC The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) has been in existence since 1955. It is an independent commission created and directed by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) and the Pennsylvania Equal Education Opportunity Act.

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community About the PHRC 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 Retaliation for filing a complaint, opposing unlawful behavior, or assisting investigations

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community About the PHRC Pennsylvania Law protects you from discrimination in these areas: Employment- obtaining a job or working at one Education- attending public or private school, college, trade school or university. Housing- renting, buying, selling or getting a loan for a home. Commercial Property- having access to, or the purchase, sale or lease of commercial property Public Accommodations- being able to access public places and/or services.

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community Discrimination Examples Firing or demoting someone based on factors other than job performance. Denying a student with a disability the use of a service animal. Firing a person just because they are pregnant. Refusing to rent to an individual because of race, sex or religion. Refusing to serve a customer wearing religious headgear. Creating school policies that could provide different treatment for students of different races, religions, sex, etc.

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community How to file a Complaint If you feel you have been the victim of illegal discrimination, file a complaint or report a bias incident with the PHRC. A dedicated, trained, unbiased PHRC investigator will walk you through the process and help prepare your complaint. PHRC staff will investigate the complaint and PHRC counsel will serve as counsel for the Complainant. The PHRC will file your complaint with the appropriate federal agency if your allegations are covered under federal laws enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Complainants do not incur any attorney fees during the investigation process from the PHRC. Complainants do have the right to obtain private legal services at their own expense, but this is not required.

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community How to file a Complaint To file a complaint, visit phrc.pa.gov/file-a-complaint; call (717) 787-4410 or (717) 787-7279 (TTY) or contact the regional office nearest you within 180 days of the alleged act of harm. Harrisburg 333 Market Street, 8th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 787-9780 | (717)787-7279 (TTY) Philadelphia 110 N. 8th Street, Suite 501 Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 560-2496 | (215) 560-3599 (TTY) Pittsburgh 301 5th Avenue, Suite 390, Piatt Place Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 545-5395 | (412) 565-5711 (TTY)

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community Training and Initiatives PHRC provides free training to schools, employers, businesses, community groups, local government, law enforcement and others. Training topics include (but are not limited to): Implicit Bias for Law Enforcement, equipping law enforcement agencies and the municipal leaders overseeing them to be aware of bias in their interactions with people of color and across cultures. Other relevant sessions focusing on Bias and Hate Crimes, Unconscious Bias, Diversity and Cultural Professionalism, Cross- cultural Communication, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Training for educators and school personnel on cross-cultural sensitivity, preventing bullying and harassment, and equal educational opportunity.

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community Training and Initiatives PHRC also offers education and outreach programs which include: Social Justice Lunch & Learns Diversity Speaks Series Social Justice Lecture Series No Hate in our State Townhall Series Racial Tension Reduction Response Team

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community Beloved Community The Beloved Community is a term popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that calls on each of us to take responsibility for the common good. It is a group of residents, usually within one geographic area, that work together across racial, gender, and ethnic lines through the guiding principles of unity and love for humanity.

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community Beloved Community To achieve this concept, PHRC has six Social Justice Policy Committees to assist in intentionally building a culture of peace and understanding despite our differences. The Education Equity Committee The Fair Housing & Commercial Property Committee. The Policy & Pennsylvania Human Relations Act Committee The Diversity & Inclusion Committee The Police & Community Relations Committee The Program, Community Outreach & Training Committee

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community Advisory Councils Connect PHRC resources and information to communities throughout PA, raising awareness about all Pennsylvanians rights to live, work, and learn free from unlawful discrimination. Active Councils: Adams County Centre County Cumberland County Indiana County Hazleton Philadelphia Penn Hills

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community Advisory Councils While PHRC is active throughout Pennsylvania, local leaders have a much keener sense of the urgent issues, needs, and priorities of their communities. Advisory Councils bridge that gap by: Advocating for their communities Assist community members with filing complaints Planning events, trainings and discussions that educate their communities and celebrate the diversity within their communities. Want to learn more about joining or starting a council? Visit https://www.phrc.pa.gov/EducationandOutreach/Pages/Advisory- Councils.aspx or contact Brittany Mellinger bmellinger@pa.gov or Khera Bowman at khbowman@pa.gov.

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community Social Justice Ambassador Program Appointed by the PHRC, to serve as an extension of its outreach effort within the community. Acts on a non-partisan basis to assist the Commission in exploring training, outreach, and event opportunities in their respective community to further its mission in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, and education. Functions as a Commission liaison in promoting awareness of the existence and purposes of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the Commission. Will facilitate potential venues where trainings, meetings, and other outreach events can be held within their community. You can learn more and apply to become an ambassador at https://www.phrc.pa.gov/EducationandOutreach/Pages/Social-Justice- Ambassador-Program.aspx or by emailing ra-hrambsprogram@pa.gov

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvanias Beloved Community Upcoming Events 2023 Disability Conference Harrisburg Hilton Thursday, July 20 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Fair Housing Empower Hour: Fair Housing Fundamentals Wednesday, July 26 12-1 p.m. Register online. Link can be found at phrc.pa.gov Visit phrc.pa.gov for more information about upcoming PHRC events