FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 410-576-7009
BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Maryland Commission on Civil Rights Executive Director Cleveland L. Horton, II, announce the release of “Know Your Rights: A Guide to Understanding and Protecting Your Rights.” The 37-page booklet is designed to give Marylanders critical information about civil rights protections under Maryland law. It is also available in Spanish. The booklet covers protections against discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, health services, and schools, and the rights of persons with disabilities, immigrants, persons with limited English, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as the freedom of all Marylanders to be free from hate crimes.
The booklet was drafted by the staff of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) to combat misinformation about the continuing force of civil rights protections. Federal policy changes have created confusion about whether there is legal redress for discrimination. Maryland law continues to provide robust protection against discrimination and many provisions of federal anti-discrimination law remain in place. This guidance is intended to be a useful tool for Marylanders to understand their legal rights and obligations.
“As federal policies shift, many Marylanders fear losing the rights that protect them and their families. This guidance makes it clear: no Executive Order can erase the state and federal laws that ensure equal access to housing, jobs, and education,” said Attorney General Brown. “Every Marylander – including LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and immigrants – deserves to be seen, heard, and protected. This guide empowers them to stand up for the rights they are guaranteed by law.”
“In these challenging times, when the fabric of our communities, cities, states, and country is being tested, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights stands as a beacon of hope and a shield of justice,” said MCCR Executive Director Horton. “This ‘Know Your Rights’ booklet, a testament to our joint commitment with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, is more than just a guide; it is a call to action. It is a tool for empowerment, designed to equip every Marylander with the knowledge to understand, assert, and protect their fundamental civil rights. Let us collectively embrace this resource, not just as a defense against discrimination, but as a catalyst for creating a society where respect, integrity, and effective communication pave the way for true equity and opportunity for all.”
People who believe that their rights have been violated can contact the Civil Rights Division of the Office of the Attorney General (Civil Rights Complaint Form) or the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights at 410-767-8600, [email protected], or Online Complaint Preliminary Questionnaire (PQ).
About the Civil Rights Division
On January 1, 2024, Attorney General Brown launched the Civil Rights Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland. The Division was established to implement the authority given to the Attorney General by the General Assembly to enforce state, federal, and local anti-discrimination laws. This expanded authority is a first in Maryland history and allows the Office to protect Marylanders no matter their race, color, religion or creed, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Civil Rights Division is staffed by a team of lawyers, investigators, and paralegals who investigate allegations of civil rights violations and pursue remedies, including changes to policies, practices, and procedures; restitution; and civil penalties. Claims brought by the Division are on behalf of the State of Maryland and address discriminatory practices that affect or impact beyond an individual claimant. The Division does not have the authority to address civil rights violations by state or local governments or agencies.
About the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights
The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights is an independent agency that serves individuals, businesses, and communities throughout the state. Its mandate is to protect against discrimination based on race, color, religion or creed, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. In employment cases, discrimination based on genetic information is prohibited. In housing cases, discrimination based on familial status and source of income is also unlawful. In both employment and housing cases, discrimination based on military status is illegal.
MCCR investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, health services, leasing of commercial property, and from members of protected classes that are covered under those laws. MCCR is governed by a nine-member Commission appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Maryland Senate. Commission members are appointed to serve six-year terms. The Commission meets once a month to set policy and review programmatic initiatives.
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