Volume 176, Page 257 View pdf image (33K) |
MARYLAND MANUAL 257 colored people residing in the State . . ., recommend legislation and sponsor movements looking to the welfare of said people, and to the improvement of interracial relations and to cooperate with other State agencies to these ends." Subsequent legislation enacted by Chapter 280, Acts of 1933, by Chapter 431, Acts of 1943, and by Chapter 548, Acts of 1951, changed the name and the composition of the Commission. It adopted its present name and expanded its mem- bership by Chapter 83, Acts of 1968. The Commission consists of twelve members appointed by the Gov- ernor with the advice and consent of the Senate for six-year terms. The Governor designates the Chairman of the Commission and appoints the Executive Director, the Deputy Director and the General Counsel. One Commission member must represent Caroline, Cecil, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's or Talbot counties; one member must represent Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, or Somerset counties; three members must represent Baltimore City; one member must represent Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard., Montgomery or Washington counties; one member must be from Montgomery County; two members must be from Baltimore County; one member must represent Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles or St. Mary's coun- ties; and two members must represent Prince George's County. The Commission has the authority and power to make such surveys and studies concerning human relations, conditions and problems as it may determine, and to promote in every way possible the better- ment of human relations. U is authorized to eliminate discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religious creed, sex or age. The Commission is further directed to promote in every way possible the betterment of interracial relations, submit legislative and adminis- trative recommendations to the Governor in the field of human rela- tions and to oversee compliance with the Code of Fair Practices as promulgated by the Governor. The Commission is empowered to administer and enforce the Mary- land Public Accommodations Law, Discrimination in Financing Law and the Fair Employment Practices Law. By Chapter 153, Acts of 1969, the Commission was empowered to initiate complaints and inves- tigate complaints of discrimination in State Agencies. Chapter 413, Acts of 1970 added the office of Deputy Director, broadened the prohibition against sex discrimination in employment, transferred enforcement of prohibition against age discrimination in employment to the Commission on Human Relations, modified confi- dentiality provisions, simplified the Commissioner complaint proce- dure, and made several other changes, including one making it clear that political subdivisions may also enact human relations legislation, but in doing so, not weakening the State law. By Chapter 324, Acts of 1971, the General Assembly enacted major legislation, to become effective after July 1, 1971, providing the Commission with enforcement powers regarding Discrimination In Housing. This law also broadened the Public Accommodations Law to include all businesses licensed by the State under Article 41, Section 221 of the Annotated Code. This provision included a prohibition against sexual discrimination by these licensees. By Chapter 408, Acts of 1972, the General Assembly reduced the number of Commissioners required for a hearing tribunal from five to three, and an appeal to the remaining members of the Commission is provided if the decision of the three member hearing tribunal is not unanimous. In 1973 the General Assembly added additional revisions to the law. By Chapter 717, 493 and 557, a six months statute of limitations was provided for the filing of complaints. The number of employees |
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Volume 176, Page 257 View pdf image (33K) |
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