Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB694: Human Relations - Violations of County Discrimination Laws - Complaints
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Establishing that filing a certain complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights satisfies certain prerequisites to commencing a civil action alleging the violation of a county discrimination law.
What the bill says
An act concerning Human Relations - Violations of County Discrimination Laws - Complaints FOR the purpose of establishing that filing a certain complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights satisfies certain prerequisites to commencing a civil action alleging the violation of a county discrimination law; and generally relating to county discrimination laws…
From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Human Relations - Violations of County Discrimination Laws - Complaints FOR the purpose of establishing that filing a certain complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights satisfies certain prerequisites to commencing a civil action alleging the violation of a county discrimination law; and generally relating to county discrimination laws. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - State Government Section 20-1004(a) and (c) Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - State Government Section 20-1202 and 20-1203 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - State Government Section 20-1204 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - State Government 20-1004. (a) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged discriminatory act may file a complaint with the Commission. (c) (1) (i) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a complaint shall be filed within 6 months after the date on which the alleged discriminatory act occurred. Ch. 172 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND (ii) A complaint filed with a federal or local human relations commission within 6 months after the date on …
Sponsors
- William Smith (D) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 172
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (123-10)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
- : Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Referred Government, Labor, and Elections
- : Third Reading Passed (41-0)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Floor Amendment {723222/1 (Senator Smith) Adopted
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (123-10) (April 13, 2026): 123 yea, 10 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (41-0) (March 20, 2026): 41 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB694?
- SB694 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Human Relations - Violations of County Discrimination Laws - Complaints.
- What does SB694 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Human Relations - Violations of County Discrimination Laws - Complaints FOR the purpose of establishing that filing a certain complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights satisfies certain prerequisites to commencing a civil action alleging the violation of a county discrimination law; and generally relating to county discrimination laws…
- What is the status of SB694?
- Signed into law as of April 28, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 172 (April 28, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB694?
- William Smith (D).
- Where is the official record for SB694?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0694?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.