452/Maryland Manual

SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
J. Neil Bell, Unit Supervisor......333-1744

COMMUNITY RELATIONS/EDUCATION
UNIT
Ruth Banks-Crowder, Unit Supervisor
...................................................333-1765

FIELD OFFICES
Jean Ford, Supervisor.................333-1756

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Benny F. Short..................333-1710

HEARING EXAMINERS

Merry C. Hudson, Chief Hearing Examiner
...........................333-1708

GENERAL COUNSEL

Michael Foreman ................333-1752

The Human Relations Commission originated
in 1927 as the Interracial Commission (Chapter
559, Acts of 1927). In 1943, it was reorganized as
the Commission to Study Problems Affecting the
Colored Population (Chapter 431, Acts of 1943).
Renamed in 1951 as the Commission on Interracial
Problems and Relations (Chapter 548, Acts of
1951), it became the Human Relations Commis-
sion in 1969 (Chapter 83, Acts of 1968).

The Commission's goal is to eliminate discrimi-
nation based on race, color, national origin, reli-
gion, sex, marital status, physical or mental
handicap, and age.

The Commission administers and enforces the
Maryland Public Accommodations Law, Discrimi-
nation in Housing Law, and the Fair Employment
Practices Law. It also initiates and investigates com-
plaints of discrimination in State agencies. The
Commission is authorized to conduct public hear-
ings, administer oaths, and issue subpoenas. It also
compels attendance or testimony of witnesses and
oversees exhibits of books, papers, records, and
documents relevant or necessary for proceeding
under these laws. In addition to other relief, the
Commission can issue a cease and desist order if
evidence shows that a respondent has engaged in a
discriminatory act. In cases of employment discrim-
ination, it may award back pay of up to two years'
duration.

The Commission studies human relations, con-
ditions, and problems to improve human and com-
munity relations. The agency also submits
legislative proposals to the Governor, and oversees
compliance with the Code of Fair Practices, prom-
ulgated by the Governor.

The Commission's work on behalf of fair em-
ployment practices is supplemented by a deferral
relationship and funding from the U.S. Equal Em-
ployment Opportunity Commission. Similarly, the
Commission's efforts in fair housing are funded by

the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban De-
velopment as provided by cooperative agreements
which fund case processing as well as community
education.

The Commission consists of nine members ap-
pointed to six-year terms by the Governor with
Senate advice and consent. Commission work is
administered on a daily basis by an Executive Direc-
tor appointed by the Governor from a list of five
names submitted by the Commissioners. The Exec-
utive Director is removable by the Governor upon
recommendation of two-thirds of the Commission-
ers (Code 1957, Art. 49B).

JUDICIAL COMPENSATION
COMMISSION

Chairperson: Bruce A. Kaufman, 1990

Appointed by Governor: James C. Chapin, 1989;
Bernard N. Linkoff, 1989; Sanford M. Baklor,
1990; Robert L. Beall, 1992; John Spencer Wood,
1992; Elizabeth S. Morrison, 1994.

Staff: William S. Ratchford II

Department of Fiscal Services
90 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401 841-3761

Created in 1980, the Judicial Compensation
Commission makes recommendations to effect ju-
dicial compensation that will attract highly qualified
persons to the bench and enable judges to serve
without economic hardship (Chapter 717, Acts of
1980).

The Commission reviews judicial salaries and
pensions every two years and must submit its rec-
ommendations at least every four years to the Gov-
ernor and General Assembly The Commission's
salary recommendations are introduced as a joint
resolution in each house of the General Assembly
by the fifteenth day of the session. While the Gen-
eral Assembly may not increase recommended sal-
aries, it may decrease them. If it fails to adopt or
amend the joint resolution within fifty days after its
introduction, the salaries recommended by the
Commission do apply. Commission recommenda-
tions with respect to pensions are introduced in the
form of legislation by the Senate President and the
House Speaker and become effective only if passed
by both houses.

The Commission is comprised of seven members
appointed by the Governor for six-year terms. No
more than three members may be individuals ad-
mitted to practice law in the State. In nominating
and appointing members, special consideration is
given to persons knowledgeable in compensation
practices and financial matters. Two members are