{"id":355710,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civilrights\/enforcing-your-civil-rights\/state-civil-rights-offices.html"},"modified":"2023-10-07T17:09:58","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T22:09:58","slug":"state-civil-rights-offices","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/enforcing-your-civil-rights\/state-civil-rights-offices.html","title":{"rendered":"State Civil Rights Offices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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State Civil Rights Offices<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Civil rights laws protect you from unequal treatment, including discrimination in various settings. Knowing what civil rights laws apply to your situation is an initial step in dealing with a civil rights violation<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Many laws at the federal level prohibit discrimination. These often start as federal legislation through acts of the federal government. Examples include the Civil Rights Act of 1964<\/a>, the Fair Housing Act of 1968<\/a> (FHA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973<\/a>, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990<\/a> (ADA). Federal civil rights protections also stem from federal court decisions. This includes U.S. Supreme Court decisions.<\/p>\r\n

Besides federal laws, local and state laws prohibit discrimination. Many state laws mirror federal civil rights laws and offer the same protections. State laws may be more extensive. They may provide extra coverage not available at the federal level. For example, some state laws include protection for people identifying as LGBTQ+. If there is no federal recourse for a civil rights violation, you may be able to seek relief at the state level.<\/p>\r\n

Each state has its own division charged with protecting residents’ civil rights. These commissions work to end discrimination by enforcing the state’s civil rights laws. There can be discrimination in many settings. These include:<\/p>\r\n