Montgomery County                               2659

Sec. 77-6. Duties generally.

(1) The Commission on Human Relations shall have the power and
it shall be its duty:

(a)    To research, assemble, analyze, and disseminate pertinent data
and educational materials relating to activities and programs which will
assist in the elimination of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, and discrimina-
tion, and to institute and conduct educational and other programs, meet-
ings, and conferences to promote equal rights and opportunities of all
persons regardless of their race, religious creed, ancestry or national
origin and to promote good will, cooperation, understanding, and human
relations among all persons of different races, colors, religious creeds,
ancestries or national origins. In performance of its duties, the Commis-
sion shall cooperate with interested citizens, racial, religious and ethnic
groups, community, business, professional, technical, educational and civic
organizations.

(b)    To cooperate with the County Executive; and all governmental
agencies concerned with matters within their jurisdiction.

(c)    To study and investigate by means of public or private meetings,
conferences and public hearings conditions which may result in discrimi-
nation, prejudice, intolerance and bigotry because of race, color, religious
creed, ancestry or national origin.

(d)    To advise and counsel the residents of Montgomery County,
the County Council, the County Executive and the various departments
of County, State and Federal governments on matters involving racial,
religious, or ethnic prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and bigotry and
to recommend such procedures, program or legislation as it may deem
necessary and proper to promote and insure equal rights and opportunities
for all persons, regardless of their race, color, religious creed, ancestry
or national origin.

(e)    To work to remove inequalities due to discrimination, prejudice,
intolerance and bigotry on such problems as housing, recreation, education,
health, employment, public accommodations, justice and related matters.

(f)    To initiate or receive complaints of discrimination, prejudice,
intolerance and bigotry from any person or group because of race, color,
religious creed, ancestry or national origin which deprives that person
or group of equal rights, protection or opportunities. To investigate com-
plaints, seek conciliation of such complaints, and if warranted, to hold
hearings and make recommendations on such complaints. Neither the
Commission as a whole, nor any of its members not serving on a panel,
shall engage in any of the functions or jurisdictions assigned to a Commis-
sion Panel or the Executive Secretary.

(g)    To adopt such rules and procedures as may be necessary to
carry out the purposes and provisions of this Chapter; to keep a record of
its hearings, activities, and minutes of all meetings, said records and
minutes shall be on file with the Executive Secretary of the Commission
and open to the public at reasonable business hours upon request.

(h) To render at the request of the Executive or within thirty (30)
days following each quarter of the calendar year preliminary written
or oral reports of its activities and recommendations to the County Execu-
tive and the County Council and a final written yearly report summarizing
its activities, goals, needs, and recommendations.