Maine Human Rights Commission - Augusta, ME

Maine Human Rights Commission

Agency Overview

The Maine Human Rights Commission (MHRC) is the state's quasi-independent agency dedicated to enforcing Maine's anti-discrimination laws. Established in 1971, the Commission operates as a neutral fact-finder charged with investigating complaints of unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and credit extension. Located on Union Street near Capitol Park, the agency works to ensure that all Maine residents are treated fairly and without prejudice based on protected class status such as race, disability, sex, or religion. The Commission conducts impartial investigations to determine if reasonable grounds exist to support claims of discrimination and facilitates resolution through conciliation and the court system.

Key Functions and Services

The MHRC handles a specific range of legal and administrative processes related to civil rights:

• Complaint Investigation: Processing and investigating formal complaints of discrimination filed by individuals.
• Mediation: Offering third-party mediation services to help disputing parties reach a voluntary settlement.
• Legal Enforcement: In certain cases, the Commission may pursue legal action in court to enforce the Maine Human Rights Act.
• Public Records: Managing requests for records related to closed cases and agency operations.

Visitor Information

The Commission's physical office is located on the 2nd floor of 19 Union Street. Note: The agency currently does not accept walk-in visitors; all visits must be scheduled by appointment. The facility is fully accessible, with an elevator and designated accessible parking located at the rear of the building. For those unable to visit, the Commission offers extensive online services, including an electronic intake questionnaire for filing complaints.