U.S. Department
of Justice
United States v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (M.D. Pa.)
On July 29, 2014, the United States filed a complaint in United States v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (M.D. Pa.) The complaint alleged that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) by engaging in a pattern or practice of employment discrimination against women. The lawsuit alleged that PSP administered physical tests that assessed physical skills not required to perform the job of entry-level trooper and that disproportionately excluded female applicants. On December 31, 2021, the Court approved a settlement agreement resolving the case. The agreement required PSP to pay $2.2 million to compensate eligible women who were denied employment because of the previous physical tests, provide priority hiring relief for up to 65 qualified women who failed a previous test, and use a new test for any physical assessment of future academy candidates.