Human Rights & Equity Commissions

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) was established in 1969. It is comprised of 11 members and a non-voting student member, 18 years old or under. Commissioners must live in Howard County and represent the diversity of county residents. The duties and responsibilities of the Commission are prescribed by law and include recommending a civil rights policy to the County Executive and the County Council. This includes having the authority to conduct surveys and studies concerning civil liberties in order to promote equality in the community. In addition to hosting the annual HRC awards, they support OHRE outreach activities.

The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission (MLK) was established by order of the Howard County Executive to encourage and coordinate appropriate ceremonies and activities honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Commissioners are appointed by the County Executive to serve an initial term of two years. Each year, the MLK celebration takes place on the third Sunday of January. The Day of Service takes place the next day on the third Monday of January. The Day of Service provides a variety of service opportunities throughout the community that is representative of Dr. King’s dedication to servant leadership.

Based on recommendations from the Howard County LGBTQ+ Workgroup (convened from November 2019-April 2021), the County Executive and the County Council voted to establish the LGBTQIA+ Commission to continue the much needed work of equity, inclusion, communication, understanding, and respect for all gender and sexual identities in October 2022. The purpose of this Commission is to advance policy and systemic change for all persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary, and who identify in other capacities along the LGBTQIA+ Spectrum. 

The Commission is comprised of a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 21 members who meet bi-monthly as of January 12, 2023.

Based on recommendations from the La Alianza Latina Workgroup (convened from September 2020-March 2022), the County Executive and the County Council voted to establish a permanent La Alianza Latina Commission in order to continue the work of advancing policy and systemic change for the uplift of Latino families, businesses, and residents in October 2022. La Alianza Latina aims to assist constituents and educate them on certain services and programs that may seem out of reach – such as accessing community resources, starting a business, or purchasing a home.  

The Commission consists of a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 19 members, representing a variety of backgrounds throughout Central and South America. La Alianza Latina Commission meets bi-monthly, beginning in January of 2023.

The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission advises the Howard County Executive on policy initiatives and advocates on issues that affect the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Consisting of a minimum of 17 and a maximum of 25 members, AAPI hosts public bimonthly meetings and presents biannual reports. AAPI organizes cultural events and has informative discussions on emerging issues. It is with the hope that these conferences will foster stronger relationships between the AAPI and the community. The Commission is dedicated to creating a safe place where AAPI residents feel valued and heard in the community.