In light of the recent investigation by the Governor’s office into the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission regarding the mismanagement of taxpayer dollars, I will soon introduce legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to make changes to the duties of the Executive Director. The bill will accomplish two main goals.
 

First, it will require that the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) be subject to Senate confirmation. Second, the bill would prohibit the Executive Director from participating in any sort of adjudication of cases before the Commission. 
 

Under existing law, while the 11 individual Commissioners of the PHRC must be confirmed by a majority of the Senate, the Executive Director does not. The Executive Director has significant administrative and enforcement authority over the Commonwealth’s anti-discrimination laws and as such, there should be a much more stringent process for how that position is chosen.
 

Over the course of the past few years the position of the Executive Director has grown substantially and has gone significantly far afield from its intended purpose. This position should remain an advocate for the issues of the PHRC and should handle the day-to-day operations of running the Commission. It should not be involved in the adjudication of cases or the hearing process. This is a significant conflict of interest and should be handled fully by the Commissioners.
 

Our constituents deserve to know and have input in who is entrusted with that position and the legislature should have direct oversight over that process. This bill will ensure that the PHRC remains accountable to the public and the people who we all represent.
 

Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation.