Intake
The intake process
When you initiate a inquiry to file a complaint of discrimination with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR), our Intake Unit evaluates your complaint to determine whether it meets the base criteria and helps you complete your complaint. If warranted, the Intake Unit issues a Charge of Discrimination and assigns your case to one of our investigators.
When MMCR receives your initial inquiry, the Intake Unit:
Reviews inquiry
Our Intake Unit reviews your initial inquiry and evaluates whether your complaint falls under MCCR’s jurisdiction and meets other basic criteria.
Determines the jurisdiction
MCCR ensures equal opportunity for all through enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, public accommodations, health services, leasing of commercial property, and the State’s commercial non-discrimination policy from members of protected classes that are covered under those laws.
Conducts intake interview
Our intake team will contact you to schedule an interview to gather further details and help you complete your complaint.
Drafts Charge of Discrimination
If evidence shows there is reason to believe your rights have been violated, the complaint was filed within the required time frame, and the complaint falls under MCCR’s jurisdiction, a Charge of Discrimination is drafted, signed by the Charging Party and filed against the entity.
Issues the Charge
Once the Charging Party signs the Charge of Discrimination, it will be issued to the party (Respondent) charged with discrimination. A charge does not constitute a finding that the Responding party engaged in discrimination.
Requests response to allegations
The Responding Party will be asked to submit a position statement responding to the allegations and raising factual or legal defenses to the charge.
Assigns investigator
The investigator uses various impartial methods to gather information, determine whether discrimination is likely, and expedite the case’s resolution.
Important notes
- Complaints of employment must be filed within 300 days of the alleged unlawful incident, complaints of housing discrimination must be filed within one year of the alleged unlawful incident, and complaints of public accommodations discrimination must be filed within six (6) months of the alleged unlawful incident.
- Maryland employment anti-discrimination law applies only to those employers with 15 or more employees. However, complaints alleging unlawful employment harassment can be filed against employers with 1 or more employee.
Ready to file a complaint?
If you believe you are a victim of unlawful discrimination, the first step to filing a complaint is to initiate an online inquiry. Our Intake Unit will contact you to complete the process.
The completion of this online form does not constitute the filing of a complaint of discrimination.
To find out more about the Case Processing Department’s Investigations Unit and the next step of the process, please click here.
For individuals who require additional assistance, please contact MCCR at 410-767-8600 or [email protected].