Harrisburg, PA- The 2024-2025 Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) 2024-2025 Annual Report is now available. The PHRC is required by state law to release an annual report by March 31 of each year. The report includes statistics about the type and number of discrimination complaints filed in Pennsylvania each year, legal orders issued, information about promoting equal opportunity and information about enforcing non-discrimination laws.
"As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, it is impossible not to reflect on both the magnitude of our history and the urgency of our present moment,” said PHRC Chair Joel Bolstein. “The 2024–2025 fiscal year was one of meaningful accomplishment and forward momentum. The Commission’s commitment to fair housing, equal opportunity in employment and education, and accessible public accommodations remained central to our mission, and our staff delivered on that mission with professionalism and resolve.”
PHRC was created in 1955 and 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. (In 2025, Governor signed the C.R.O.W.N. Act which amended the definition of ‘race' in the PHRA to include traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles).
- Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (PFEOA), which is specific to postsecondary education and secondary vocational and trade schools.
The PHRC administrative, legal, and investigative staff is led by an Executive Director in Harrisburg; a team of senior leaders focusing on specific areas including education, housing, policy & intergovernmental affairs, civil rights, and rural and civic engagement; and Regional Directors in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Eleven Commissioners, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate, act as public liaisons, establish policies, and resolve some cases that are not settled voluntarily.
During FY 2024-2025, PHRC completed a Beloved Community tour visiting all 67 counties and hearing directly from individuals across the Commonwealth about what civil rights issues they are facing. The PHRC continued growing its Civil Rights Division and is committed to effectuating change in communities that have been impacted by acts of bias and hate by engaging in public conversation and education to mend historic divisions. PHRC also created a Rural & Civic Engagement division to effectively address unique rural challenges.
“Seventy years after the PHRC’s founding, our mission remains urgent. The Commonwealth continues to navigate demographic change, political polarization, and rising hate and bias,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “These challenges demand that we be both steadfast and innovative. They require leadership that is data-driven, community-centered, and rooted in the values that have always guided our Commission: dignity, accountability, and the pursuit of a more equitable future. “
About the PHRC:
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforces state laws that prohibit discrimination and promote equal opportunity for all people. The PHRC investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. Anyone who has experienced acts of discrimination or hate is urged to file a complaint by calling 717-787-4410. Information and resources are also available on the PHRC website. Follow the PHRC on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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