Opinion ID: 773414
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the phra

Text: 21 The PHRA similarly requires that claims be brought first to an administrative agency, the PHRC, which has exclusive jurisdiction over the claim for a period of one year in order to investigate and, if possible, conciliate the matter. See Clay, 559 A.2d at 920 (quoting Lukus v. Westinghouse Elec. Corp., 276 Pa. Super. 232, 419 A.2d 431, 455 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1980)). A complainant may not file an action in court for a period of one year. See Clay, 559 A.2d at 921; 43 Pa. C.S. 962(c)(1). If the PHRC does not resolve the administrative charge within one year, the commission must notify the complainant that he may bring an action in the Court of Common Pleas. See 43 Pa. C.S. 962(c)(1); see also Snyder, 566 A.2d at 1240 (holding that where a complainant has not had her grievance resolved by the PHRC within one year of filing, she could pursue another course, namely, an action in the judicial system). Importantly, and unlike under Title VII, notice of the right to sue is not required in order to bring the PHRA action. Instead, after one year has elapsed, a complainant may bring a court action regardless of whether or not he has received a letter from the PHRC. See Snyder, 566 A.2d at 1240. No case law suggests, however, that a complainant must bring the civil action then or at any later time. 22 Moreover, the PHRA does not limit the time, after receipt of the one-year notice, within which a civil action must be brought. The statute does provide that any civil action must be filed within two years after notice from the PHRC that it is closing the complaint. See 43 Pa. C.S. 962(c)(2). 4 The PHRC one-year notice is not, however, the equivalent of notice that the PHRC is closing the complaint. A review of the notice sent to Burgh illustrates this point. The letter states that Burgh was not required to file suit in court, that the Commission was continuing to process the case and would make every effort to resolve it as soon as possible, and that only if Burgh filed a complaint in state court would the PHRC dismiss the complaint. 23