Shapiro Appointed Martin to State Human Rights Board
Governor Josh Shapiro named attorney Andrea J. Martin to serve a five-year term on the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Judaism
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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro appointed attorney and Penn State Dickinson Law professor Andrea J. Martin to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission in July 2026. Martin began her service at her first commission meeting in September 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment aims to bolster state efforts to protect civil rights and address discrimination in public institutions. Martin intends to leverage her background in legal studies to develop commission training and advocate for the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
The commission currently operates with 10 members, though it requires 11. Since January 1, 2025, Pennsylvania has recorded 395 hate crime offenses, with 54 incidents specifically targeting Jewish residents.
The players
Josh Shapiro
He is the current Governor of Pennsylvania who made the appointment to the state commission.
Andrea J. Martin
She is an attorney and assistant law professor at Penn State Dickinson Law who co-founded the Center for Jewish Legal Studies.
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
This state agency provides a process to address discrimination at public institutions and state agencies without requiring lawsuits.
The details
Martin, who co-founded the Center for Jewish Legal Studies, has actively testified before the legislature about antisemitism in state schools. She plans to focus on creating new training protocols for state agencies that seek the commission's assistance in resolving discrimination incidents without the need for litigation.
Timeline
Pennsylvania began tracking statewide hate crime data on January 1, 2025.
Andrea J. Martin was appointed to the commission in July 2026.
Martin attended her first meeting as a commissioner in September 2026.
Martin testified before the state legislature in early October 2026.
Training for new commissioners is scheduled for late October or early November 2026.
Culture Shift
The push to incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism represents a broader trend toward formalizing legal standards for bias in public life. This appointment signals a deliberate effort by state officials to align institutional policies with these specific international guidelines.
Residents seeking to address discrimination in public institutions may soon see new, standardized training resources implemented through the commission. These changes aim to streamline the process for resolving civil rights incidents without the need for prolonged legal action.
The takeaway
Martin's appointment highlights a strategic focus on utilizing state commissions to bridge gaps between legal policy and institutional practice. Her background provides a specialized approach to addressing discrimination against Jewish residents in educational and public settings.
What happens next
Training for new commissioners is scheduled to take place in late October or early November 2026.
Further reading
For more context on the faith community in the state, visit Judaism.
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