Cal. Civ. Code § 20-1204
Md. Code Ann., State Gov't Art. Title 20 — Fair Housing and Anti-Discrimination
Operative Text
(a) This section applies in any county other than Baltimore County, Howard County, Montgomery County, or Prince George’s County. (b) A complaint filed in accordance with § 20–1004 of this title satisfies any requirement to exhaust remedies before filing a civil action imposed by a county or local unit responsible for handling violations of county or local discrimination laws.
Maryland Code Ann., State Gov't §§ 20-701 to 20-1204 includes a provision establishing that, in most Maryland counties (excluding Baltimore County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County), a complaint filed through the state's civil rights process under § 20-1004 is treated as satisfying any local requirement to exhaust administrative remedies before bringing a civil lawsuit. In other words, a person does not need to separately complete a local complaint process before going to court if they have already filed the state-level complaint. This rule coordinates state and local anti-discrimination enforcement so that complainants are not forced to navigate duplicative administrative hurdles.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in the Maryland counties covered by §§ 20-701 to 20-1204 should be aware that a tenant or applicant who files a state discrimination complaint under § 20-1004 may proceed directly to civil court without first completing any separate county or local administrative process. Compliant operators generally maintain fair-housing policies and documentation practices that can be produced in either an administrative or civil proceeding. Understanding that the state filing can trigger civil litigation without a local exhaustion step underscores the importance of consistent, documented compliance with anti-discrimination obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Md. Code Ann., State Gov't §§ 20-701 to 20-1204, tenants in covered Maryland counties who believe they have experienced housing discrimination may file a complaint through the state process under § 20-1004 without worrying that a court will later dismiss their civil case for failing to go through a separate county or local complaint process first. This provision removes a procedural barrier that might otherwise delay access to the courts. Tenants exploring their options may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Maryland's civil rights complaint process to understand which forums and remedies may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 27, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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