The Montgomery County Human Relations Commission
Human Rights Laws

THIS IS THE LAW.
It guarantees equal opportunity in:

Employment

It is against the law for employers, employment agencies and labor organizations to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or physical or mental handicap in:

• upgrading or promotion
• apprenticeship
• wages or salary
• accepting job applications
• referring job applicants
• discharge
• hiring
• tenure

It is illegal to cause, or attempt to directly or indirectly cause, any person to discriminate against an individual.

Public Accommodations

Owners, lessees, operators, managers, agents or employees of any place of public accommodation, resort, or amusement may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religious creed, ancestry, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical or mental handicap. This includes:

• restaurants
• hotels and motels
• hospitals and clinics
• places of public assembly
• theaters, movie halls, and
• other similar establishments doing business with the public.

Real Estate

• real estate brokers and salespersons,
• apartment owners and managers,
• builders and developers,
• homeowners,
• banks and other lenders, or
• trailer parks

• selling, leasing, or renting housing accommodations, including apartments and condominiums, offices and shops
• financing the purchase, building, or repair of housing and commercial units
• offering land for construction of businesses, housing or location of mobile homes

Note: Two exemptions are: housing in which the owner lives and rents no more than two units; and housing operated by religious groups for religious purposes.

Protection Against Panic Selling

The law prohibits attempting (1) to induce homeowners to sell, or (2) to discourage prospective purchasers, by preying on fears of racial or religious change. Such practices, commonly known as blockbusting, can precipitate panic selling and economic loss.

Any homeowner who suspects such pracuces in the neighborhood may seek the protection of the law by reporting the facts to the Human Relations Commission.

Filing a complaint

• Any person who believes himself or herself discriminated against may tile a written complaint with the Human Relations Commission.
• A personal interview is held to determine the nature of the allegation, jurisdiction, legal rights, and desired remedies.
• The case is assigned to one of the staff investigators for a thorough investigation to determine the facts.
• The Commission has summons and subpoena power, and may seek injunctions or other appropriate legal actions.
• A conciliation is attempted among the people involved in the complaint. If this fails and there is reason to believe that discrimination did occur, a public hearing is held.
• The outcome of a public hearing in which discrimination is found might be:
  • a cease and desist order
  • a consent agreement
  • an affirmative action plan
  • back pay in an employment case
  • an award of monetary damages

What to do...

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against should promptly contact:

The Montgomery County Human Relations Commission
164 Rollins Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20852-4038
Complaints (301) 468-4265
Fax (301) 468-4130
TDD (for hearing impaired only) (301) 468-4198