<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 14.03.05.04" title_num="14" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="05" heading="Unlawful Practices Generally.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Commercial Discrimination Practices Prohibited.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>It is unlawful for a business entity that has entered into a contract with the State to discriminate in the solicitation, selection, hiring, or commercial treatment of vendors, suppliers, subcontractors, or commercial customers.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A business entity may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other unlawful use of characteristics regarding the vendor's, supplier's, or commercial customer's employees or owners.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Retaliation Prohibited. It is unlawful for a business entity that has entered into a contract with the State to take any action that has a material negative effect against any person, business, or other entity for:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Reporting any incident of discrimination;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Testifying as a witness at a hearing; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Providing requested assistance to Commission staff in any investigation of an incident of discrimination under these regulations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>