HB 257
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader - Revised
House Bill 257 (Delegate Qi)
Health and Government Operations Judicial Proceedings
Maryland Commission on Civil Rights - Employment Discrimination - Reporting
This bill requires specified counties to annually submit information to the Maryland
Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) regarding employment discrimination complaints.
MCCR must include the data and associated recommendations in its annual report.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: MCCR can handle the bill’s requirements with existing resources. Revenues
are not affected.
Local Effect: It is anticipated that local governments can handle the bill’s requirements
with existing resources, as discussed below. Revenues are not affected.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Bill Summary: By October 1 of each year, the county office of civil rights, or other
appropriate agency, in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard,
Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties must report to MCCR the number of
employment discrimination complaints received. For each complaint, the entities must also
report (1) the type of discrimination alleged; (2) the category of job held by the
complainant; (3) whether the complainant is a public or private sector employee; (4) the
complainant’s country of origin; and (5) whether the appropriate agency determined that a
violation occurred.
MCCR must include a review of the data and any recommendations for policy changes to
address noted discriminatory trends in its annual report.
Current Law: MCCR is charged with the enforcement of laws prohibiting discrimination
in employment, housing, public accommodations, and State contracting. On or before
January 1 of each year, MCCR must submit a report on its work to the Governor and the
General Assembly.
Local Fiscal Effect: Baltimore City and Baltimore, Montgomery, and Prince George’s
counties advise that the bill’s reporting requirements can be met with existing resources.
Anne Arundel County notes that it does not have an office that investigates complaints
regarding noncounty public-sector employers or private-sector employers. However,
because the bill only establishes reporting requirements for complaints received and does
not impose any requirements for local jurisdictions to expand offices to address other types
of complaints, the bill can be handled using existing resources.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: HB 703 of 2020, as amended, passed the House and was referred to
the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, but no further action was taken.
Designated Cross File: SB 236 (Senator Hettleman) - Judicial Proceedings.
Information Source(s): Baltimore City; Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Montgomery, and
Prince George’s counties; Maryland Commission on Civil Rights; Department of
Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - January 26, 2021
rh/jkb Third Reader - March 15, 2021
Revised - Amendment(s) - March 15, 2021
Analysis by: Tyler Allard Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 257/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Maryland Commission on Civil Rights - Employment Discrimination - Reporting: 20-207 State Government, 20-208 State Government
Text - Third - Maryland Commission on Civil Rights - Employment Discrimination - Reporting: 20-207 State Government, 20-208 State Government