Annapolis, MD (June 7, 2024) – Today, County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Office of Equity and Human Rights (OEHR) announced Bill 21-24, Anne Arundel County’s first ever comprehensive anti-discrimination law, will take effect on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The new law broadens anti-discrimination protections to cover both private and public employment as well as public accommodations. It prevents employers and public facility owners, managers, or employees from treating residents differently based on age, ancestry, citizenship, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, occupation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or source of income. Additionally, it imposes civil penalties for breaches of the anti-discrimination regulations.
"I commend all seven members of the county council for supporting our proposal to expand anti-discrimination protections in the county," said County Executive Pittman. "We will continue the work to promote equity and justice.”
“State or federal agencies typically have higher caseloads and tend to be backlogged," said Office of Equity and Human Rights Director Asha Smith. “This law provides a local channel for residents to report complaints of discrimination against local private employers or local public accommodations.”
The law also expands the powers of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) to address complaints of discrimination in the new areas as well as defines and establishes the powers and duties of the Human Relations Officer. It revises the qualifications for members of the HRC and allows for the enforcement of administrative subpoenas that are issued by the HRC.
Bill 21-24 was passed in April by the Anne Arundel County Council with a unanimous vote. The new law is part of a larger effort by the Pittman administration to strengthen civil rights protections in the county.
Residents can contact the Office of Equity and Human Rights at oehr@aacounty.org with questions or to submit complaints. For more information on the Office of Equity and Human Rights visit www.aacounty.org/OEHR