Ch. 543

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

44.

(A) THE BOARD MAY, BY ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION, ESTABLISH A HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION FOR THE COUNTY.

(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO:

(1) PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND HARMONY OF RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY THROUGH THE STUDY OF THE NATURE AND
CAUSES OF SOCIAL FRICTION AND PREJUDICE;

(2) ADVANCE THE MEANS FOR THE ALLEVIATION OF SOCIAL FRICTION
AND PREJUDICE; AND

(3) OTHERWISE FURTHER THE AMERICAN IDEAL OF EQUALITY AND

JUSTICE.

(C) THE COMMISSION SHALL USE ITS INFLUENCE AND PERSUASION TO
DIRECT THE COMMUNITY'S EFFORTS TO THE SOLUTION OF ALL THOSE PROBLEMS
WHICH MANY TIMES ARE THE BASIC REASONS FOR RACIAL TENSIONS.

(D) THE COMMISSION SHALL ENCOURAGE AND ENSURE EQUAL TREATMENT
OF ALL PERSONS, WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, ETHICAL. OR
MORAL CONVICTION, ANCESTRY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, AGE, MARITAL STATUS,
OR PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HANDICAP, IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND
LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND
PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS.

45.

TO ACCOMPLISH THE OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED UNDER § 44 OF THIS SUBTITLE,
THE COMMISSION MAY:

(1) PROVIDE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE RELATED TO THE FILING AND
PROCESSING OF GRIEVANCES AND COMPLAINTS OF DISCRIMINATION WITH THE
APPROPRIATE FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES;

(2) EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY TO THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
OF INDIVIDUALS IN HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS;

(3) ADVOCATE THE REMOVAL OF ALL VESTIGES OF DISCRIMINATION;

AND

(4) ASSIST IN NONBINDING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

46.

(A) THE BOARD SHALL:

(1) DETERMINE THE SIZE OF THE COMMISSION.

(2) APPOINT THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.

(3) ENSURE THAT THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION REFLECTS
THE DIVERSITY OF THE COUNTY'S POPULATION.

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