After a series of resignations, the body lacks a quorum and will be unable to enforce civil rights throughout the Commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforces civil rights throughout the state by responding to complaints related to discrimination on the basis of age, race, sex, disability, and more.
The Commission handles thousands of requests each year. It might not be able to do so for much longer, with a series of resignations leaving the body without the quorum needed to operate.
The number of commissioners recently fell from seven to five. The executive director signaled that he would leave in June.
“I do know that from 2019 until now, they were and are a dedicated cohort of human beings dedicated to the people of the Commonwealth and to the mission of the PHRC. I’m sure that replacements will emerge when they do and that aspect of things will be strengthened,” said departing Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter in a recent email. He said he did not know why new appointments have not been made.
The Commission said that the lack of quorum moving forward “could delay or halt the Commission’s ability to advance specific guidance… hear cases; and deliver justice to the people it serves.”
No new appointments have been made to the Commission since 2018. Under former Governor Tom Wolf, attorney Aleena Sorathia was confirmed to the board.
Two years after the most recent appointment, the number of commissioners fell from eleven to nine. The first annual report under Governor Shapiro from 2022 lists just seven members after two left for other positions.
More than 100 employees work for the Commission. The commissioners’ responsibilities include investigating allegations, holding hearings, issuing subpoenas for witnesses, and taking testimony.
Any future appointments made by Governor Shapiro must be confirmed by the state Senate. A new executive director would not require confirmation.
The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for April 27 in Philadelphia.
Governor Shapiro failed to respond to inquiries into whether he plans to appoint members to fill the increasing vacancies.
