Presented by Keith Merkey, Education and Outreach Associate

1. Maryland Commission on Civil RightsEnforcing Title 20 of the State Government Article and Title 19 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, Annotated Code of Maryland:Maryland’s Anti-Discrimination Law Presented by Keith Merkey, Education and Outreach Associate

2. The Mission of MCCR • The mission of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights is to ensure equal opportunity to all through the enforcement of Maryland’s laws against discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and state contracts; to provide educational and outreach services related to the provisions of these laws; and to promote and improve civil rights in Maryland. • Our vision is to have a state that is free from any trace of unlawful discrimination

3. Areas of Equal Protection • Employment • Housing • Public Accommodations • State Contracts (Commercial Non- Discrimination)

4. Employment • Race • Gender/Sex • Age • Ethnicity • National Origin • Religion • Disability (mental and physical) • Color • Marital Status • Sexual Orientation • Genetic Information

5. Housing • Race • Gender/Sex • Ethnicity • National Origin • Religion • Color • Sexual Orientation • Disability(mental and physical) • Marital Status • Familial Status

6. Public Accommodations • Race • Gender/Sex • Ethnicity • National Origin • Religion • Color • Sexual Orientation • Disability (mental and physical) • Marital Status • Age

7. Main Functions • Intake • Investigation • Litigation • Education and Outreach

8. Intake • Complaint can be filed: in person, telephone, fax, letter, and online (for initial inquiry) • In FY 2013, MCCR received a total of 729 individual complaints of discrimination • Employment - 601 cases • Housing - 89 cases • Public Accommodations - 39 cases

9. Investigation • In FY 2013, MCCR completed the work on 764 individual complaints of discrimination • MCCR obtained over $2,169,720.00 in monetary benefits for the people of Maryland • MCCR has one of the highest acceptance rates of completed cases by HUD and EEOC in the nation • The age of MCCR’s pending case inventory is dramatically lower (around 1/3 lower) than the national average

10. Legal • The General Counsel’s Office of MCCR represents the agency in all legal manners • Provides legal counsel to MCCR Administrators and Commissioners • Provides training, counsel and legal guidance to MCCR’s investigators • Provides technical assistance of best practices under Title 20 • Responsible for MCCR’s legislative agenda and monitoring of relevant proposed legislation

11. Education and Outreach • Employment, Public Accommodations, Fair Housing, Commercial Non-Discrimination, and Conflict Resolution • Outreach events for the public and private sectors • FY2013 - MCCR participated in 2 major outreach events and provided 91 individual training sessions • Through those events and sessions, over 4500 persons were reached

12. Contact Information Maryland Commission on Civil Rights 6 St. Paul Street, Suite 900 Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: 410.767.8600 Toll-free: 1.800.637.6247 TTY/TDD 410.333.1737 Fax: 410.333.1841 E-mail: mccr@maryland.gov Website: http://mccr.maryland.gov

13. Satellite Offices • Easton 301 Bay Street, Suite 301 Easton, Maryland 21601 Telephone: 410.822.3030 ext.345 • Leonardtown Joseph P. Carter Center 23110 Leonard Hall Drive Post Office Box 653 Leonardtown, Maryland 20650 Telephone: 301.880.2740 Fax: 301.880.2741 • Hagerstown 44 North Potomac Street, Suite 202 Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 Telephone: 301.797.8521 Fax: 301.791.3060 • Salisbury Salisbury District Court Multi-Purpose Center 201 Baptist Street, Suite 33 Salisbury, Maryland 21801 Telephone: 410. 713.3611 Fax 410.713.3614