Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 528

Bill Title: Maryland Human Relations Commission - Administrative and Civil Relief - Waiver of Sovereign Immunity

Bill Sponsor(s): Senator Raskin

Subject: Employer Relations

Committee: JPR

Bill Summary: This bill establishing that specified respondents may elect to have specified claims asserted in a complaint filed with the Maryland Human Relations Commission determined in specified civil actions brought by the Commission on the complainant's behalf; prohibits the State from raising sovereign immunity as a defense against an award in specified employment discrimination cases; provides for the payment of specified awards against the State; etc.

History: None

Chamber Position: Support W/Amend

Position Summary: This Bill is a product of work by Maryland Chamber, Plaintiff’s bar, and Maryland Commission on Human Relations to correct drafting errors and omissions in the legislation last year that amended the State anti-discrimination law to create a private right of action. The legislation is intended to "clean-up" certain issues associated with the bill.

The Chamber supports improvements to the bill, which include: 1.) limitations period requiring a civil action be filed within two (2) years of the act or occurrence complained of; requiring that any charge of discrimination be "timely filed"; 3.) limitations period should be defined by the GC and not left to the courts to figure out at great expense to the parties.

Position Statement: Click here to download a pdf version of the Maryland Chamber's position statement.

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.