Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) Administrative Charge of Discrimination

CHARGE OF DISCRIMINATION — MARYLAND COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Submission Routing and Cover Information
2. Complainant Information
3. Respondent Information
4. Jurisdictional Basis
5. Protected Class(es) Asserted
6. Date(s) of Alleged Discrimination
7. Statement of Discrimination (Particulars)
8. Remedies Sought
9. EEOC / Dual-Filing Authorization
10. Verification and Signature
11. Attorney Information (if represented)
12. Document Index / Exhibits
13. Maryland Practice Notes
14. Sources and References

1. SUBMISSION ROUTING AND COVER INFORMATION

TO:

Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

Intake Unit

William Donald Schaefer Tower

6 Saint Paul Street, 9th Floor (Suite 900)

Baltimore, Maryland 21202-1631

Telephone: (410) 767-8600

Email: [intake email per MCCR website]

Web: https://mccr.maryland.gov

MCCR CASE / INQUIRY NO. (if assigned): [________________________________]

EEOC CHARGE NO. (if dual-filed): [________________________________]

DATE OF SUBMISSION: [__/__/____]

2. COMPLAINANT INFORMATION

3. RESPONDENT INFORMATION

Additional Respondent (individual supervisor / agent), if any:

4. JURISDICTIONAL BASIS

Complainant alleges discrimination prohibited by one or more of the following Maryland statutes (check all that apply):

• ☐ Md. State Gov't § 20-606 — Employment (employer with 15+ employees)
• ☐ Md. State Gov't § 20-607 — Employment Agencies
• ☐ Md. State Gov't § 20-608 — Labor Organizations
• ☐ Md. State Gov't § 20-304 — Public Accommodations
• ☐ Md. State Gov't § 20-705 — Housing (Sale or Rental of Dwelling)
• ☐ Md. State Gov't § 20-706 / 20-707 — Other Housing Practices
• ☐ Md. State Gov't § 20-901 et seq. — Discrimination by Governmental Units
• ☐ Md. State Gov't § 20-1202 — Local Human Relations Ordinance: [County / City]

Federal cross-filing under the MCCR / EEOC work-sharing agreement (check all that apply):

• ☐ Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.
• ☐ Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
• ☐ Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.
• ☐ Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000ff et seq.
• ☐ Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq. (cross-filed with HUD)
• ☐ Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. § 206(d)

5. PROTECTED CLASS(ES) ASSERTED

I believe I was discriminated against because of my (check all that apply):

• ☐ Race — [Specify]
• ☐ Color
• ☐ Religion / Creed — [Specify]
• ☐ National Origin / Ancestry — [Specify]
• ☐ Sex (including pregnancy)
• ☐ Sexual Orientation
• ☐ Gender Identity / Gender Expression
• ☐ Age (40 or older for ADEA; any age 18+ under Maryland law)
• ☐ Disability — [Describe]
• ☐ Marital Status
• ☐ Familial Status (housing)
• ☐ Source of Income (housing)
• ☐ Genetic Information
• ☐ Military Status / Veteran Status
• ☐ Retaliation for Protected Activity (specify): [________________________________]

6. DATE(S) OF ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION

Filing-Deadline Self-Check (Md. State Gov't § 20-1004):

• ☐ Employment (non-harassment): filed within 300 days of most recent act
• ☐ Employment harassment: filed within 2 years of most recent act
• ☐ Public accommodations / state contracts / health services / commercial leasing: filed within 6 months
• ☐ Housing: filed within 1 year

7. STATEMENT OF DISCRIMINATION (PARTICULARS)

I, [COMPLAINANT NAME], allege the following:

7.1. Background and Position. I was hired by Respondent [NAME] on or about [__/__/____] as a [POSITION] at [WORKSITE / LOCATION]. My direct supervisor was [NAME, TITLE]. [For non-employment cases: describe the relationship — tenant/applicant for housing; customer/patron of public accommodation.]

7.2. Performance / Qualifications. I was qualified for the position and performed my duties satisfactorily. I received [describe positive reviews, promotions, raises, awards, or other indicia of qualified status].

7.3. Discriminatory Conduct — Chronology. Beginning on or about [__/__/____], I was subjected to the following adverse and discriminatory conduct because of [PROTECTED CLASS]:

a. On [__/__/____], [ACTOR NAME, TITLE] [describe specific conduct, words used, witnesses, location].

b. On [__/__/____], [ACTOR] [describe].

c. On [__/__/____], [ACTOR] [describe].

d. [Continue chronologically. Include each incident with date, actor, conduct, and witnesses.]

7.4. Comparators. Similarly situated individuals outside my protected class were treated more favorably. Specifically, [NAME COMPARATORS], who [are/were] [describe — e.g., not pregnant, white, male, non-disabled, etc.], [describe more favorable treatment].

7.5. Internal Complaints / Notice. On [__/__/____], I reported the discriminatory conduct to [NAME, HR / SUPERVISOR / OWNER]. Respondent's response was [no action / superficial inquiry / further retaliation].

7.6. Adverse Action. On [__/__/____], Respondent [terminated / demoted / disciplined / failed to promote / refused to accommodate / refused to rent / refused service to / evicted] me. The stated reason was [REASON GIVEN], which I believe is pretext because [FACTS SHOWING PRETEXT — deviations from policy, inconsistent application, comparator evidence, suspicious timing].

7.7. Retaliation (if applicable). After I engaged in protected activity on [__/__/____], Respondent retaliated by [describe adverse action and temporal proximity].

7.8. Witnesses. The following persons witnessed or have knowledge of the events:

7.9. Damages and Harm. As a result of Respondent's conduct, I have suffered [lost wages of $AMOUNT / lost benefits / loss of housing / out-of-pocket expenses / emotional distress / humiliation / reputational harm].

7.10. Statement of Belief. I believe I was discriminated against because of my [PROTECTED CLASS] in violation of Md. State Gov't § 20-606 (or §§ 20-304 / 20-705) and parallel federal law.

8. REMEDIES SOUGHT

I respectfully request that MCCR investigate this charge and afford me the following relief, where applicable:

• ☐ Reinstatement to my prior position with full seniority and benefits
• ☐ Back pay and lost benefits from the date of adverse action
• ☐ Front pay in lieu of reinstatement
• ☐ Hiring or promotion to the position wrongfully denied
• ☐ Reasonable accommodation (specify): [________________________________]
• ☐ Restoration of housing / lease
• ☐ Access to the public accommodation and removal of discriminatory policy
• ☐ Compensatory damages within the caps of Md. State Gov't § 20-1009
• ☐ Cease-and-desist order
• ☐ Posting of anti-discrimination notice and mandatory training
• ☐ Expungement of adverse personnel records
• ☐ Attorneys' fees and costs (where authorized)
• ☐ Such other equitable relief as the administrative law judge deems appropriate

9. EEOC / DUAL-FILING AUTHORIZATION

I want this charge dual-filed under the MCCR / EEOC Work-Sharing Agreement and (if applicable) the MCCR / HUD agreement:

• ☐ I authorize MCCR to dual-file this charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for federal Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and/or GINA purposes.
• ☐ I authorize MCCR to dual-file this charge with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for federal Fair Housing Act purposes.
• ☐ I authorize MCCR to dual-file this charge with the local human-relations agency for [Howard / Montgomery / Prince George's / Baltimore City / Baltimore County / Anne Arundel / Other] County.

I understand that under Md. State Gov't § 20-1013, I may bring a private civil action in circuit court 180 days after the filing of this charge, and within 2 years of the unlawful practice (3 years for harassment), and that the limitations period is tolled while this charge is pending.

10. VERIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I declare, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Maryland, that I have read the foregoing Charge of Discrimination, that the facts stated in it are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, and that this Charge is filed in good faith.

[________________________________]

[COMPLAINANT NAME]

Date: [__/__/____]

STATE OF MARYLAND

COUNTY / CITY OF [________________________________]

Subscribed and sworn (or affirmed) before me this [____] day of [_______________], 20[____], by [COMPLAINANT NAME], who is personally known to me or who produced [FORM OF ID] as identification.

[________________________________]

Notary Public

(My Commission Expires: [__/__/____])

11. ATTORNEY INFORMATION (IF REPRESENTED)

I authorize MCCR to communicate with the above counsel regarding this matter.

[________________________________]

[COMPLAINANT NAME] — Date: [__/__/____]

12. DOCUMENT INDEX / EXHIBITS

The following documents are submitted in support of this Charge (check and attach):

• ☐ Exhibit A — Offer letter / employment contract / lease / rental application
• ☐ Exhibit B — Performance evaluations
• ☐ Exhibit C — Pay stubs / W-2s / benefits statements
• ☐ Exhibit D — Termination letter / adverse-action notice / eviction notice / denial-of-service record
• ☐ Exhibit E — Internal complaints, emails, text messages
• ☐ Exhibit F — Witness statements
• ☐ Exhibit G — Medical records (only if disability or emotional-distress claim)
• ☐ Exhibit H — Policies, employee handbook, lease addenda
• ☐ Exhibit I — Photographs, video, audio (where lawfully obtained)
• ☐ Exhibit J — EEOC / HUD / local agency correspondence
• ☐ Exhibit K — Other: [________________________________]

13. MARYLAND PRACTICE NOTES

• MCCR intake is interview-based. As of current practice, MCCR requires an online inquiry followed by an Intake Interview before a charge is officially filed. Mailing this template alone may not commence the charge; bring it to the interview as a working draft. The official Charge of Discrimination is signed at the end of the intake process.
• Filing deadlines under § 20-1004 are jurisdictional. Untimely charges will be dismissed. Calendar deadlines from the most recent discriminatory act, applying the "continuing violation" doctrine where pattern conduct extends an earlier date forward.
• Dual-filing is automatic under the work-sharing agreement. A timely MCCR charge satisfies EEOC's filing requirement, and vice versa, but always confirm cross-filing with both agencies and obtain charge numbers.
• Investigation phases. MCCR investigates under § 20-1005. Stages include intake, fact-finding, conciliation, probable-cause determination, and (if no settlement) public hearing before an administrative law judge under § 20-1008. Cooperate fully and respond to all requests for information.
• Confidentiality. Information disclosed during MCCR conciliation is confidential under § 20-1005(d) and may not be used as evidence at a subsequent public hearing without consent.
• 180-day private suit option. Under § 20-1013, the complainant may file a private civil action 180 days after the charge is filed. Many practitioners exercise this option strategically when MCCR's docket is backlogged or when discovery and a jury are preferred. Notify MCCR in writing if you elect to pursue the civil-action option, and confirm whether MCCR will administratively close the file.
• Damages caps at the agency. § 20-1009 caps compensatory damages by employer size; the ALJ may also order back pay up to 2 years prior to the charge filing, reinstatement, and equitable relief. No punitive damages are available administratively.
• Local agencies. Montgomery County (Office of Human Rights), Howard County (Office of Human Rights), Prince George's County (Human Relations Commission), Baltimore City (Community Relations Commission), Baltimore County (Human Relations Commission), and Anne Arundel County operate certified FEPA-deferral agencies. Some have broader protected classes or higher caps. Verify deferral status before filing.
• Retaliation claims accrue separately. Each retaliatory act starts a fresh 300-day clock for employment retaliation under § 20-606(f).
• Charge amendments. Under COMAR 14.03.01.05, charges may be amended to clarify, add particulars, or add related theories. Amendments relate back to the original filing where they arise from the same conduct.

14. SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Maryland Commission on Civil Rights — Home — https://mccr.maryland.gov/
• MCCR — File a Complaint — https://mccr.maryland.gov/pages/intake.aspx
• MCCR — Start a Complaint Inquiry — https://mccr.maryland.gov/complaint-investigative-process/start-complaint-inquiry
• MCCR — Intake Process — https://mccr.maryland.gov/complaint-investigative-process/intake-process
• MCCR — Time Limits — https://mccr.maryland.gov/Pages/a-Time-Limits.aspx
• MCCR — Investigation Conclusion — https://mccr.maryland.gov/complaint-investigative-process/investigation-conclusion
• MCCR — Employment Discrimination — https://mccr.maryland.gov/Pages/Employment-Discrimination.aspx
• MCCR — Public Accommodations — https://mccr.maryland.gov/Pages/Public-Accommodations-Discrimination.aspx
• MCCR — Housing Discrimination — https://mccr.maryland.gov/Pages/Housing-Discrimination.aspx
• Md. State Gov't § 20-606 — https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gsg&section=20-606
• Md. State Gov't § 20-304 — https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gsg&section=20-304
• Md. State Gov't § 20-705 — https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gsg&section=20-705
• Md. State Gov't § 20-1004 — https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gsg&section=20-1004
• Md. State Gov't § 20-1009 — https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gsg&section=20-1009
• Md. State Gov't § 20-1013 — https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gsg&section=20-1013
• COMAR Title 14, Subtitle 03 — MCCR Regulations — https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/14.03.01.00.aspx
• EEOC Public Portal — https://publicportal.eeoc.gov/
• HUD Fair Housing Complaint — https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint

MCCR Mailing Address:

Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

William Donald Schaefer Tower

6 Saint Paul Street, 9th Floor

Baltimore, MD 21202-1631

(410) 767-8600

Disclaimer: This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Filing deadlines under Md. State Gov't § 20-1004 are strict and may bar untimely charges. An attorney licensed in Maryland should review this Charge before filing to ensure timeliness, completeness, and proper preservation of federal claims via dual-filing. Laws and agency procedures change; verify all authorities and procedures with MCCR before filing.