Mission Statement

The Mission of the Office of Human Rights is to enforce the County's anti-discrimination laws in housing, commercial real estate, employment, public accommodations, and intimidation. The Office also provides training, public education programs, and promotes the increased understanding and tolerance among diverse groups.

Budget Overview

The total approved FY25 Operating Budget for the Office of Human Rights is $2,117,953, an increase of $154,158 or 7.85 percent from the FY24 Approved Budget of $1,963,795. Personnel Costs comprise 82.47 percent of the budget for 11 full-time position(s) and no part-time position(s), and a total of 11.60 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 17.53 percent of the FY25 budget.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• Thriving Youth and Families
• Effective, Sustainable Government

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY24 estimates reflect funding based on the FY24 approved budget. The FY25 and FY26 figures are performance targets based on the FY25 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY26.

Initiatives

• Review and revise compliance process and regulations for more efficient resolution of complaints.

• Expand the compliance efforts to include five additional banks for the Community Reinvestment Act.

• Complete the final training series on the Intergenerational Workplace focusing on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Algorithms in employment.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Coordinated and assisted in the planning of the 2023 International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies Annual Human Rights Conference in Rockville, MD.

• Coordinated a special installation ceremony of historical markers at the County Council Office Building in recognition of three men lynched in Montgomery County in the late1800s: George Peck, John Diggs Dorsey, and Sidney Randolph.

Program Descriptions

  Compliance

This program investigates and resolves formal complaints of worker protection violations and discrimination in employment, housing, commercial and residential real estate transactions, public accommodations, and intimidations through a formal complaint process or mediation....

  Community Mediation and Public Affairs

This program supports and promotes the Human Rights Commission and Committee Against Hate Violence, Interagency Fair Housing Coordinating Group, and the Commission on Reconciliation and Remembrance in their outreach and education efforts; partners with other local, State, and Federal offices; and conducts various forums to promote increased understanding and tolerance...

  Fair Housing

This program monitors the County's Fair Housing Ordinance through the Interagency Fair Housing Work Group in order to coordinate the activity of County departments, offices, and agencies to prevent housing discrimination; and to perform testing of housing providers. The Office investigates and seeks to resolve housing discrimination complaints....

  Administration

The Office of the Director has the responsibility for the overall management and leadership of the Department. This program also includes overall policy development for the office, as well as the administration of the County's anti-discrimination laws. ...