Civil Rights & Disputes in Maryland

Maryland's Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) investigates employment, housing, and public accommodations discrimination. Complaints must be filed within 300 days of the discriminatory act in employment cases. Maryland covers employers with 15 or more employees for most protections, but some categories have lower thresholds. Maryland explicitly includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. Maryland has an anti-SLAPP statute (CJP Section 5-807) that protects petitioning and speech activities on matters of public concern, allowing early dismissal with attorney's fee awards. The defamation statute of limitations in Maryland is one year under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Article, Section 5-105. Maryland courts allow negligent infliction of emotional distress claims without physical impact if the plaintiff was in the zone of danger.