Civil rights laws protect us from unequal treatment, including discrimination in a number of settings. Knowing what civil rights laws are applicable to your situation is an important initial step to take in dealing with a potential civil rights violation. Many laws at the federal level prohibit discrimination and originate from federal legislation via acts such as the Fair Housing Act of 1968 (FHA) or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Federal civil rights protections also stem from federal court decisions, such as significant U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
In addition to federal laws, there are also local and state laws that prohibit discrimination. Many of the state laws mirror the federal law civil rights laws and offer the same protections, but state laws may be more extensive and often offer additional coverage not available at the federal level. For example, some state laws include protection for people who identify as LGBTQ. In cases where there is no federal recourse for a civil rights violation, you may be able to seek relief at the state level. When you have experienced a state civil rights violation, then you should investigate where to turn for guidance on civil rights enforcement.
Each state has its own division charged with protecting the civil rights of the state's residents. These commissions typically work to eliminate cases of discrimination by enforcing the state's civil rights laws. That can include discrimination in housing, employment, places of public accommodation, and more. Find the link to your state, to learn more about your division's work.
| Alabama | United States Attorneys Office (Southern District) |
| Alaska | Commission for Human Rights (FEPA) |
| Arizona | Attorney General's Office - Civil Rights Division |
| Arkansas | Fair Housing Commission |
| California | Attorney General's Office - Civil Rights Division |
| Colorado | Civil Rights Division |
| Connecticut | Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities |
| Delaware | Secretary of State's Office of Human Relations |
| District of Columbia | Office of Human Rights |
| Florida | Commission on Human Relations |
| Georgia | Commission on Equal Opportunity |
| Hawaii | Civil Rights Commission |
| Idaho | Human Rights Commission |
| Illinois | Department of Human Rights |
| Indiana | Civil Rights Commission |
| Iowa | Civil Rights Commission |
| Kansas | Human Rights Commission |
| Kentucky | Commission on Human Rights |
| Louisiana | Commission on Human Rights |
| Maine | Human Rights Commission |
| Maryland | Commission on Human Relations |
| Massachusetts | Commission Against Discrimination |
| Michigan | Department of Civil Rights |
| Minnesota | Department of Human Rights |
| Mississippi | Department of Employment Security |
| Missouri | Commission on Human Rights |
| Montana | Human Rights Bureau |
| Nebraska | Equal Opportunity Commission |
| Nevada | Equal Rights Commission |
| New Hampshire | Commission for Human Rights |
| New Jersey | Division on Civil Rights |
| New Mexico | Human Rights Commission |
| New York | State Division of Human Rights |
| North Carolina | Human Relations Commission |
| North Dakota | Human Rights Division |
| Ohio | Civil Rights Commission |
| Oklahoma | Human Rights Commission |
| Oregon | Civil Rights Division |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission |
| Rhode Island | Commission for Human Rights |
| South Carolina | Human Affairs Commission |
| South Dakota | Division of Human Rights |
| Tennessee | Human Rights Commission |
| Texas | Civil Rights Division |
| Utah | Antidiscrimination and Labor Division |
| Vermont | Human Rights Commission |
| Virginia | The Division of Human Rights |
| Washington | State Human Rights Commission |
| West Virginia | Human Rights Commission |
| Wisconsin | Equal Rights Division |
| Wyoming | Department of Workforce Services: Your Labor Rights |
Protect Your Civil Rights
It is important to know not only know the civil rights protections available to you, but also how to address your specific issue by having access to state civil rights offices. If you have been discriminated against and need to know more about your possible claim, you should talk to a civil rights attorney who can help you protect your rights. An attorney can help you distinguish between your protection at the state and federal level.
