As new federal policies are implemented, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights have published guidance to help local government agencies understand the types of protections required by Maryland law and federal law.
Local governments are service providers and employers for Maryland residents and need to be acutely aware of how Maryland law intersects with federal civil rights protections, in light of recent initiatives by the federal government. As Maryland continues to expand and clarify its civil rights framework, the federal government is taking steps to roll back some long standing policies. This is evidenced by executive orders, court rulings, and policy changes concerning affirmative action, DEI policies, and LGBTQIA+ protections, to name a few. Local government leaders—including DEI directors, public health officials, hiring managers, law enforcement agencies, school systems, and the like —must remain aware of how these, sometimes competing, state and federal policy changes impact local processes.
The new “Know Your Rights” guide, jointly released by Attorney General Anthony Brown and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR), underscores that the state’s laws provide robust, independent protections that stand even when federal policies shift. While federal civil rights laws form a baseline, Maryland has consistently chosen to go further—ensuring coverage for more protected classes and broader areas of enforcement across employment, housing, health services, education, and public accommodations. To that end, the guidance covers a number of categories including:
- Housing Discrimination
- Employment Discrimination
- Disability
- Public Accommodations
- Health Services
- Immigration
- Language Access
- LGBTQIA+
- Schools
- Hate and Bias
For local agencies, these distinctions carry real implications. County DEI and equity officers, for example, must ensure that local policies align not just with federal standards like Title VII or the Fair Housing Act, but also with Maryland’s more expansive laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, source of income, and military status. Similarly, local health departments must understand their obligations to provide equitable access to care and communication for people with disabilities, immigrants, and those with limited English proficiency—areas where Maryland’s protections often exceed federal requirements.
Law enforcement agencies, too, have an important role to play in upholding Maryland’s state-level protections. Beyond responding to hate crimes and harassment, police and sheriff’s departments are on the front lines of enforcing equal access and ensuring fair treatment across communities. The Attorney General’s newly established Civil Rights Division, with authority to pursue remedies and systemic changes in private-sector discrimination cases, complements local enforcement and reinforces the need for consistent understanding at every level of government. Awareness of jurisdictional limits—such as the Division’s lack of authority over local governments—can help law enforcement agencies coordinate effectively with state partners and MCCR when potential violations arise.
Ultimately, the “Know Your Rights” guide serves as more than a public resource—it’s a call to action for Maryland’s county governments and community leaders to pay attention to where a federal initiative might violate Maryland laws that county governments are required to adhere. By understanding where state law strengthens or supplements federal protections, local DEI offices, health departments, hiring managers, service providers, and law enforcement agencies can more confidently address areas where local, state, and federal policy shifts might be in conflict.
