Agency: 120 - Human Rights Commission

The mission of the Washington State Human Rights Commission is to enforce RCW 49.60, the Washington State Law Against Discrimination. The Commission works to eliminate and prevent discrimination throughout the state in employment; real estate transactions; credit and insurance transactions; and in places of public accommodation based on race; creed; color; national origin; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; marital status; familial status; age; disability; and 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, Dept of Health, Healthcare, and 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 five Human Rights Commission members and staff work to prevent discrimination in employment, real estate, credit and insurance transactions, and in places of public accommodations through education, training, community forums, and respond to and help resolve controversial and sensitive human rights problems around the state.