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Maryland law

Civil Rights Laws in Maryland.

Maryland civil-rights practice combines federal constitutional and statutory claims with the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act at State Gov’t §§ 20-101 et seq. The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights enforces state employment, housing, and public-accommodations discrimination claims alongside the EEOC and federal civil-rights courts.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Statute of Limitations

Maryland civil-rights claims do not follow one universal deadline. State employment-discrimination complaints generally must be filed with MCCR within 300 days; federal claims run on their own timelines.

State law

Key Maryland Statutes

Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act and Related Civil-Rights StatutesMd. Code Ann., State Gov’t §§ 20-101 et seq.

Maryland’s civil-rights statutes prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on protected classes, with administrative enforcement through the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.

Federal Civil Rights Statutes42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1983, 2000e et seq.

Many Maryland civil-rights cases run through federal civil-rights statutes — including § 1983 for state-actor misconduct and Title VII for employment discrimination.

State law

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Maryland.

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