Anyone who believes that he/she has experienced discrimination in Howard County in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, law enforcement or finance and you are covered by one or more of the 15 protected bases in question 4 below. You do not need to be a resident of Howard County.

You must file your complaint with the Office of Human Rights.

A complaint must be filed within 6 months of the alleged discrimination, except housing complaints must be filed within 1 year of the discriminatory behavior.

It is unlawful to discriminate against a person based on:

• Race
• Religion
• Creed
• Martial Status
• Familial Status
• Sex
• Age
• Sexual Orientation
• Personal Appearance
• Source of Income
• Color
• National Origin
• Physical or Mental Handicap
• Political Opinion
• Occupation

No, you do not need a lawyer. The Intake Investigator in the Office of Human Rights will assist you in filing your complaint.

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Age
• Summary of alleged discriminatory behavior
• Basis or Bases (see forms (bases) of discrimination above)
• Name/Address of person or employer or entity engaged in discriminatory behavior

All complaints are investigated unless the parties desire mediation or the Administrator finds lack of jurisdiction or no merit to the complaint.

Complaints are reviewed and assigned to an Investigator for investigation. The Respondent is notified on the investigation and the investigation is initiated.

OHR accepts employment discrimination complaints which have occurred in Howard County, MD. The employer must be located in Howard County and employ five (5) or more employees for an OHR charge and 15 or more to cross file with EEOC. The OHR can crossfile your complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) if it is jurisdictional with them. You should not file separately with both. Call OHR with questions.

We are conveniently located at: 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, second floor, Columbia, MD 21046

We work every day from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and by appointment.

OHR will not represent you. OHR will conduct an impartial investigation of complaints filed with the agency.

OHR does not provide lawyers for parties to a complaint. You do not need a lawyer to go through this process.

Yes, you will have the right to go to the circuit court for the county in which the alleged discrimination took place not later than two (2) years after the occurrence of the alleged discriminatory act and 45 days after filing with OHR. You may have other rights which OHR staff will explain to you when you call or come into the office.

There is a law which prohibits retaliation for filing a complaint or participating in a protected act (such as being a witness in a human rights investigation). However, your employer is permitted to supervise and evaluate and, yes, even terminate you for legitimate business reasons. This is a question which you should discuss with a staff member of OHR as each situation is unique.

There are laws which protect persons with disabilities. However, each situation is unique and needs to be assessed by a staff member who can let you know what rights you have under the law.

Quitting a job is always a personal decision, but you do not need to quit or resign in order to file a human rights complaint. You can continue to work for the employer during the course of the investigation.

That depends on the particular circumstances which are occurring. Eviction is a legal process which is governed by State laws. OHR does not handle landlord –tenant issues. OHR can take complaints that have to do with housing discrimination. Baltimore Neighborhoods Inc. has a landlord tenant line which can answer those questions (410-243-6007).

No, if the complaint is cross-jurisdictional with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), OHR will crossfile the complaint with EEOC.

It is helpful to call for an appointment, but you can always call or walk-in and OHR staff will attempt to assist you.

That depends on the complexity of the issues. Generally the process will take an hour or two. OHR will attempt to accommodate your needs.

First, you must download and complete a pre-complaint questionnaire which can be mailed, faxed or brought into the office. Then the Intake Investigator will need to interview you. This can be done in person or over the phone. The Intake Investigator will draft a complaint for your approval which will then need to be signed in the presence of a notary who also signs. This can be done in the office or by mail.

Investigation may take up to 360 days. OHR tries to complete investigations in a shorter time. For housing complaints the time is 100 days. However, if your case goes to hearing or court it could extend beyond the time it takes to complete an investigation.

OHR can only take complaints which occur in Howard County regardless of where the complainant may live.

OHR offers mediation for all parties to complaints prior to beginning the investigation. If both parties agree, a mediator will be assigned who will schedule mediation. If mediation fails or if one or both of the parties do not want to participate, the case will be assigned to an Investigator.

OHR will provide interpreters for any language if your need one. If you call the office, just let someone know you need an interpreter, and OHR will contact an interpreter by phone to assist with the telephone call.

OHR will attempt mediation (see do you offer mediation section above) and may attempt settlement during the course of the investigation. OHR will enter into conciliation with the parties once a reasonable or probable cause finding is issued.

OHR will accept all information and names of witnesses in whichever way is convenient for you. OHR will copy the information for you.

Once your case is filed you will be assigned to a particular investigator and he/she can be contacted by you to get a status on the case.