There is a Commission on Civil Rights.

The Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. In appointing Commission members, the Governor shall consider representation from all areas of the State. The term of a member is 6 years. The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Commission on October 1, 2009. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

The Commission shall designate a chair from among its members.

A member of the Commission: may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but is entitled to: a per diem as provided in the State budget for attending scheduled meetings of the Commission, including participation in any hearings required by the administrative appeal process; and reimbursement for expenses in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

The Governor shall: appoint an Executive Director of the Commission from a list of five names submitted by the Commission; and remove the Executive Director on the recommendation of two–thirds of the members of the Commission. The Executive Director: shall appoint a deputy director with the approval of a majority of the members of the Commission; and may remove the deputy director with the approval of a majority of the members of the Commission. The Executive Director and deputy director shall perform the duties prescribed by the Commission. In the absence of the Executive Director, the deputy director shall perform the functions and exercise the authority of the Executive Director. The Executive Director and deputy director are entitled to the compensation provided in the State budget.

The Commission may employ its own attorney. The Executive Director shall appoint and remove the attorney with the approval of the Commission. The attorney shall: act as general counsel and legal adviser to the Commission; and represent the Commission at all hearings and judicial proceedings in which the Commission is a party. The general counsel is entitled to the compensation provided in the State budget. The office of the general counsel shall include additional personnel as provided in the State budget. The general counsel and any assistant general counsel are special appointments in the State Personnel Management System. The Commission may retain legal assistance to advise the commissioners in legal matters. Legal advisers retained under this subsection shall be compensated as provided in the State budget.

The Commission may: conduct studies and surveys concerning human relations, conditions, and problems; and promote in every way possible the improvement of human relations. In conducting studies and surveys, the Commission may expend any funds provided in the State budget or otherwise made available. On the basis of studies or surveys, the Commission may recommend legislation to the Governor. The Commission may apply for and accept grants from State, federal, and private nonprofit organizations in furtherance of its mission. On or before January 1 of each year, the Commission shall submit a report on the work of the Commission to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of this article, to the General Assembly that includes: a review of the data reported under § 20–208 of this subtitle; and recommendations, if any, for policy changes to address discriminatory trends noted in the data review under item (1) of this subsection. Whenever any problem of racial discrimination arises, the Commission immediately may hold an investigatory hearing. The purpose of the hearing shall be to resolve the problem promptly by gathering all of the facts from each interested party and making recommendations as necessary. The hearing shall be held in the geographic area where the problem exists. The Commission shall meet at least once each month. In addition to its regular monthly meetings, the Chair or a majority of the members of the Commission may, at any time, call a special meeting of the Commission. At least 5 days’ notice of a special meeting shall be given to the members. The Commission shall establish procedures for the conduct of its meetings. In addition to their other duties, the commissioners shall serve on appeal boards to review decisions of the administrative law judges. As determined by the Commission’s rules of procedure, an appeal board may allow any party affected by an administrative law judge’s decision to introduce additional relevant testimony or evidence.

In this section, “county office of civil rights” means the county office responsible for responding to complaints alleging discrimination in a county. This section applies only to: Anne Arundel County; Baltimore City; Baltimore County; Howard County; Montgomery County; and Prince George’s County. On or before October 1 each year, each county office of civil rights, or other appropriate agency, shall report the following information to the Commission: the number of complaints received alleging discrimination in employment; and for each complaint received: the type of discrimination alleged; the category of job held by the complainant; whether the complainant is a public sector employee or a private sector employee; the complainant’s country of origin; and whether the appropriate agency determined that a violation occurred.