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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

    Public Hearing Information

    Public Hearings are scheduled by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) Office of the Hearing Examiner. 

    Public Hearings at the PHRC

    If a discrimination case has not settled after a probable cause finding, the PHRC may convene a public hearing at which testimony under oath is presented infront of one of our Hearing Examiners.

    • Your complaint will be represented by a PHRC attorney, or a private attorney if you prefer.
    • A decision will be rendered, and a legally enforceable order issued.
      • This order may be appealed to Commonwealth Court.
    • In certain housing discrimination cases, parties will be permitted to elect court action in Commonwealth Court instead of a PHRC public hearing.
    Upcoming Public Hearings
    1. Tuesday, December 17-Wednesday, December 18, 2024 (Northampton) Ann Marie Troxell o/b/o Caiden Troxell v. Nazareth Area School District, PHRC Case No. 202100828
      • 9:00 a.m.- Northampton County Bar Association, 155 S 9th Street, Easton, PA 18042 
    2. Tuesday, January 14, 2025 (Carbon) James R. Butterfield v. Dekorte Excavating, Inc, PHRC Case No. 202000327
      • 9:00 a.m.- 44 Susquehanna Street, Jim Thorpe, PA, 18229
    3. Wednesday, January 29, 2025 (York) Lillian and Kelvin Paige v. Goldcrest Properties, LLC., PHRC Case No. 202201028
      • 9:00 a.m.- Council Chambers, York City Hall, 101 South George Street, York, PA 17401

    If you are an organization interested in hosting a public hearing, or if you would like more information about the hearings scheduled, please contact us.

    Office of the Hearing Examiner

    • ​Adjudicates motions.
    • Issues rules to show cause when petitions are filed alleging a respondent has failed to answer a complaint.
    • Makes recommendation of a finding of liability when a respondent does not respond to a rule to show cause,
    • Conducts pre-hearing conferences in those cases that are approved for Public Hearing.
    • Either conducts hearings as Hearing Examiner or advises a panel of Commissioners when a panel is assigned to hear a case.

    Filings made to the PHRC Office of the Hearing Examiner:

    • The filing guidelines [PDF] apply to ALL filings, including those made prior to case placement on the public hearing docket.
    • Filings may be made by emailing a copy to the PHRC.
    • Legal captions and headings shall follow the template provided in Appendix C [PDF].
    • THE COMMISSION MAY REJECT FILINGS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO THESE REQUIREMENTS.