WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 501

CHAPTER 501

(House Bill 131)

AN ACT concerning

Human Relations Commission - Confidentiality
of Investigations

FOR the purpose of requiring that the investigation of certain
complaints by the Human Relations Commission be
confidential; and generally relating to the investigatory
powers of the Human Relations Commission.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 49B - Human Relations Commission

Section 13(a)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1986 Replacement Volume and 1988 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 49B - Human Relations Commission

13.

(a) During the investigation of any complaint alleging a
violation of § 5, § 7, § 8, [§ 14, § 15,] § 16, § 17, § 20, § 21,
or § 22 of this article, and until said matters reach the stage
of public hearings, the activities of all members of the
Commission and employees thereof in connection with said
investigation shall be conducted in confidence and without
publicity, and the Commission shall hold confidential any
information in relation thereto, including the identity of the
complainant and the respondent, except that:

(1)  Any information may be released at any time if
the release has been agreed to in writing by both complainant and
respondent; and

(2)  The identity of the complainant may be disclosed
to the respondent at any time.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1989.

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