The Human Rights Commission works to eliminate and prevent discrimination throughout Washington through investigation and enforcement of violations of the Washington Law Against Discrimination, RCW 49.60. Commission staff are responsible for investigating and resolving complaints relating to employment; real estate transactions; credit and insurance transactions; in places of public accommodation based on race; creed; color; national origin; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; marital status; familial status; age; disability; honorably discharged veterans or military status; HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C status; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability; status as a mother breastfeeding her child; whistleblower retaliation of the following types: state employees, state hospital residents or employees, conveyances, in matters involving the Department of Health, health care, DSHS Public Benefits; and retaliation for opposing an unfair practice. Administrative support provides the infrastructure to ensure that the core work of the agency can be done effectively and efficiently. The five commission members, appointed by the Governor, engage in rule making, set overall agency policy direction and approve all findings for complaints investigated by staff.

The mission of the Human Rights Commission is to prevent and eliminate discrimination through the fair application of the law, the efficient use of resources and the establishment of productive partnerships with the community.