Public Accommodations
On this page
Public Accommodations Anti-Discrimination Law
"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
What This Means
The law protects you in the following settings including, but not limited to:
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Theatres
- Bus & Transportation Services
- Recreational & Aquatic Centers
- Governmental Facilities
- Gas Stations, Department Stores & Retail Establishments
- Sidewalks, Parking Lots, & Other Public Surface Areas
- Office Buildings & Commercial Establishments
- Museums, Amusement Parks, & Other Public Attractions
Examples of equal access include, but is not limited to:
- Entrances & Exits
- Restrooms
- Customer Sales & Services
How MCCR Can Help
If you believe that actions have been taken against you based on a discriminatory animus, it is imperative that you contact our agency immediately to initiate an inquiry, so that we can assist you in determining if you have been a victim of public accommodations discrimination. Our trained Intake Staff will guide you through the intake process and, through a series of questions and interviews, help you analyze your situation to determine if the actions taken against you meet the threshold of being considered discriminatory.
The statute of limitations to file a complaint with MCCR alleging unlawful discrimination by a place of public accommodation is 6 months from the date of the alleged discriminatory act.
Accessibility
MCCR undertakes every effort to make all of our documents and services available and accessible to the public. For example, Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services are available upon request for individuals with limited English proficiency, or who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. MCCR will also assist with securing an interpreter free-of-charge if requested in advance of an appointment. MCCR offices are accessible to those with mobility limitations. We welcome your request for an accommodation when utilizing MCCR's services. To request an accommodation, please contact MCCR at 410-767-8600 or [email protected].
How to File a Complaint with MCCR
If you believe you are a victim of unlawful discrimination and you wish to file a complaint, our Intake Unit is ready to assist you. The first step in MCCR's complaint process is to submit a complaint inquiry, often referred to as a Preliminary Questionnaire ("PQ").