Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) held a swearing-in ceremony for five newly confirmed and two returning commissioners. Commission Interim Chair Curtis Jones, Jr., Commissioner Michael Hardiman, Commissioner Carolyn Bohmueller, Commissioner Christopher Brooks, Commissioner Brooke Burchette Williams, Commissioner Timothy Jackson, and Commissioner Laura Manion all took the oath of office during the monthly Commission meeting. A swearing-in for the remaining two commissioners will take place during the August meeting.
As part of Interim Chair Jones’ 100-day plan update, the PHRC released its June 2026 investigative statistics along with final totals from Fiscal Year (FY) 2025–26. These numbers reflect the PHRC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability, ensure fairness in every investigation, and improve institutional performance for the people of Pennsylvania.
During FY 2025-26, which ended June 30, 2026, the PHRC continued its work to protect civil rights and ensure fair treatment across Pennsylvania. Key accomplishments included:
- Total number of cases docketed: 2,158 (an increase from 1,679 in FY 2024-25)
- Commercial Property: 4
- Education: 95
- Employment: 1,731
- Housing: 165
- Public Accommodation: 163
- Total number of cases closed: 1,737 (an increase from 1,383 in FY 2024-25).
- Including 1,322 U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) cases.
- Including 16 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) cases.
- Type of closures:
- Settled after probable cause finding: 13
- Settled before probable cause finding: 165
- Administrative closure: 693
- No probable cause: 866
- Passage of the C.R.O.W.N. Act on November 25, 2025. The C.R.O.W.N. Act is the first amendment to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act since 1997, it clarifies the term “race” to include traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles. C.R.O.W.N. stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.
- 301 settlements totaling $2,850,248 in monetary relief, plus non-monetary outcomes such as training and reasonable accommodations (an increase from 234 settlements in FY 2024-25)
- 146 mediation closures approved, resulting in $3,132,592 awarded to complainants (an increase from 109 cases in FY 2024-25)
In FY 2025-26, the PHRC was able to secure a total of $5,982,850 for the citizens of Pennsylvania.
“The PHRC is committed to building a stronger, more responsive agency,” said PHRC Interim Chair Curtis Jones, Jr. “Each investigation, each training, and each settlement reflects our dedication to protecting civil rights and delivering justice across the Commonwealth. We are focused on making sure the agency is guided by its mission and vision.”
In June 2026,
- Total number of cases docketed: 138
- Commercial Property: 0
- Education: 4
- Employment: 104
- Housing: 10
- Public Accommodation: 20
- Total number of cases closed: 134
- including 108 EEOC cases
- Types of closures:
- Settled after probable cause finding: 2
- Settled before probable cause finding: 19
- Administrative closure: 49
- No probable cause: 64
- 35 settlements totaling $363,047 in monetary relief, plus non-monetary outcomes such as training and reasonable accommodations.
- 18 mediations closures approved, resulting in $311,464 awarded to complainants.
- PHRC was also able to fill three job vacancies.
Since January 2026, the PHRC has provided 96 trainings to more than 5,100 people. The PHRC offers free and in-depth trainings on topics of civil rights and discrimination protections in Pennsylvania. To learn more about the trainings offered, visit the PHRC website.
Notable June cases:
- A property manager endured ongoing harassment from a contractor and repeatedly notified her employer. Despite her efforts, no meaningful steps were taken to protect her. When she sought legal safeguards for her safety, she was terminated under unsupported claims of performance issues. PHRC’s investigation revealed that the termination was retaliatory, directly connected to her reports of harassment. Thanks to the investigator’s diligence and commitment to fair process, PHRC secured an $80,000 settlement on her behalf.
“This case underscores why accountability matters,” said PHRC Interim Executive Director Amber J.E. Harris. “Fairness in the workplace is not optional. It is a responsibility employers owe all Pennsylvanians. The PHRC is committed to serving the citizens of the Commonwealth and the importance of the work of the PHRC remains unchanged.”
On Tuesday, June 30, the PHRC commissioners voted to appoint Amber J.E. Harris as the Interim Executive Director. Harris is the first African American woman to serve in the role of executive director at the PHRC.
On Sunday July 12, the PHRC announced the appointment of seven new commissioners who will help guide the agency’s ongoing work to promote accountability, fairness, service to Pennsylvanians, and institutional improvement across the Commonwealth. This is the first appointment of new commissioners since 2018. The PHRC also announced Michael Hardiman and Curtis Jones, Jr., would be returning.
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 discrimination 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, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
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