Pittsburgh,_PA_Home_Rule_Charter_216-218.pdf

This document is a section of the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter (Sections 216-218) detailing the structure and responsibilities of the city's Human Relations Commission. The charter establishes a fifteen-member commission appointed by the mayor, with each member serving a four-year term. The commission's primary responsibilities include investigating discrimination complaints, securing civil rights, ensuring non-discriminatory city services, submitting annual reports to the mayor, holding public hearings, and exercising enforcement powers as conferred by law.

The document specifies that the commission may employ staff, including a solicitor who must be an attorney qualified to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The solicitor will be responsible for legal representation of the commission and report to the chief staff officer. Additionally, the charter outlines the removal process for commission members, which requires just cause and approval from the city council, with the mayor required to submit written reasons for removal to both the commission and the council.