Prince George's County Office of Human Rights briefs Cheverly on complaint process, confidentiality and remedies

Kyla Hannington, public outreach and division chief with the Prince George's County Office of Human Rights, told the town council the office conducts investigations of alleged civil‑rights discrimination and runs the county Human Trafficking Task Force.

Hannington said the office enforces protections for multiple categories — including age, race, national origin, disability, familial and marital status and immigration status — across employment, housing, public accommodations, education and law enforcement. She described outreach efforts to municipalities, training for businesses to avoid "accidental discrimination" (for example, asking about criminal records before interviews) and the county Language Access for Public Services Act (2017), which obliges county services to offer language assistance.

On process and remedies, Hannington said employment matters generally must be filed within 300 days of the last incident in Prince George's County; investigations are confidential during intake and mediation/conciliation stages; if conciliation fails a case may be certified for public hearing before the County Human Rights Commission. She summarized potential outcomes: non‑monetary remedies such as training and structural changes, statutory maximum damages reported in the briefing and administrative fines (she cited a county statutory maximum figure and a separate fine authority). Hannington also provided contact information and encouraged municipalities to request outreach events or business presentations.

Council members thanked the office for outreach and asked about interagency collaboration (DSS, county council referrals) and ways to encourage hesitant residents to file complaints; Hannington emphasized confidentiality and the option to seek representation.