Pennsylvania Statutes Title 24 P.S. Education § 5006. Powers and duties of the commission

(1) To make visits when deemed advisable to each of the educational institutions, except religious or denominational institutions, within the Commonwealth for the purpose of examining and studying the procedures and practices used in the selection of students.

(2) To make studies of the various forms and uses of transcript of record employed by educational institutions, except religious or denominational institutions, and of the standards, procedures, practices and criteria used by same with respect to recommending and approving students for further education in said educational institutions.

(3) To make whatever studies may be necessary to aid it in carrying out its functions, including studies to determine factually the total number of students applying each year to educational institutions, except religious or denominational institutions, within the Commonwealth, the number of them finally accepted and the basic factors which determine whether an applicant will be accepted or rejected by such institutions.

(4) To formulate, recommend and carry out a comprehensive program designed to eliminate and prevent prejudice and discrimination in educational institutions, based upon race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, handicap or disability except religious discrimination in religious or denominational institutions and except, as to sex, as provided in section 9.  2

(5) To formulate policies to carry out the purposes of this act and to make recommendations to any or all of the educational institutions included under the provisions of this act to effectuate such policies.

(6) To adopt, amend, modify or rescind such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the commission and to effectuate the purposes and provisions of this act.

(7) To initiate, receive and investigate and seek to adjust all complaints of unfair educational practices forbidden by this act.

(8) Whenever the commission in its sole discretion determines that informal methods of conference, conciliation and persuasion have failed to induce the elimination of unfair educational practices to hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths or affirmations, take the testimony of any person under oath or affirmation and require the production for examination of any books or papers relating to any matter under investigation or any question properly before the commission.

(9) To issue orders requiring any educational institution of the Commonwealth included under the provisions of this act to cease and desist from any unfair educational practice and to secure enforcement of the order of the commission or other appropriate relief.

(10) From time to time, but not less than once a year, to render to the Governor and Legislature a written report of its activities and recommendation.