Discrimination - Overview

Pursuant to the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights’ Rules of Procedure [1], upon authorization of a complaint, the Executive Director or designee shall assign, or cause to be assigned, the investigation of the complaint to a staff investigator. MCCR investigates complaints of discrimination in the following areas:

“It is the policy of the State, in the exercise of its police power for the protection of the public safety, public health, and general welfare, for the maintenance of business and good government, and for the promotion of the State’s trade, commerce, and manufacturers to assure all persons equal opportunity in receiving employment and in all labor management–union relations, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability unrelated in nature and extent so as to reasonably preclude the performance of the employment; and to that end, to prohibit discrimination in employment by any person.” State Government Article, §20-602, Annotated Code of Maryland

“It is the policy of the State to provide for fair housing throughout the State to all, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or source of income; and to that end, to prohibit discriminatory practices with respect to residential housing by any person, in order to protect and insure the peace, health, safety, prosperity, and general welfare of all.” State Government Article, §20-702, Annotated Code of Maryland. 

"A hospital or related institution may not discriminate against any individual with respect to the individual's medical care because of the race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status sexual orientation, gender identity or disability  of the individual. The Commission on Civil Rights shall enforce this section as provided in Title 20 of the State Government Article."   State Government Article, §19-355 (c) and (d), Annotated Code of Maryland. 

"An owner or operator of a place of public accommodation or an agent or employee of the owner or operator may not refuse, withhold from, or deny to any person any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of the place of public accommodation because of the person’s race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability." State Government Article, §20-304, Annotated Code of Maryland.


"An owner or operator of commercial property, an agent or employee of the owner or operator of commercial property, or a person that is licensed or regulated by the State may not discriminate against an individual in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the leasing of property for commercial use, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with the leasing of property for commercial use, because of the individual’s race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin."   State Government Article, §20-504, Annotated Code of Maryland.


The commercial nondiscrimination policy is a State policy which mandates that the State shall not to enter into a contract with any business entity that has discriminated in the solicitation, selection, hiring, or commercial treatment of vendors, suppliers, subcontractors, or commercial customers on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or on the basis of disability or any otherwise unlawful use of characteristics regarding the vendor’s, supplier’s, or commercial customer’s employees or owners. State Finance & Procurement Article, §19-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

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1 COMAR 14.03.01.05A

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