Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights

    The Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights (RICHR) was established in 1949 upon the enactment of the Fair Employment Practices Act. The RICHR is the primary agency responsible for enforcing the state’s anti-discrimination laws. Our basic statutory responsibilities are expressed under Rhode Island General Laws Title 42, Chapter 87; Title 28, Chapter 5; Title 34, Chapter 37; Title 11, Chapter 24 and Title 23, Chapter 6. Under the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations and credit, the RICHR enforces laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, country of ancestral origin, sex, age, physical disability, mental disability, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, marital status (housing only) and familial status (housing only).In addition to state anti discrimination statutes the Commission maintains agreements with the federal government and investigates specific cases under both jurisdictions. Under our agreement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission we are authorized to enforce the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age discrimination in Employment Act and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A similar agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development authorizes us to enforce the Federal Fair Housing Act Title VIII, as amended in 1988.