Other Languages- Washington Law Against Discrimination: The Washington Law Against Discrimination covers employment, housing and other real estate transactions, credit transactions, insurance transactions, and public accommodations like schools, government offices, and businesses that are open to the public. The list of protected groups varies depending on the activity involved.
The Washington State Human Rights Commission administers and enforces the Washington Law Against Discrimination. The Washington Human Rights Commission accepts and investigates discrimination complaints. You can learn more about the Washington State Human Rights Commission’s complaint process here.
The Office of the Attorney General has authority to enforce Washington anti-discrimination statutes like the Washington Law Against Discrimination and the Consumer Protection Act. You may file a civil rights complaint here.
- Workplace Rights: The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries enforces workplace rights like rights to minimum wage, timely payment of wages, rights to breaks, and the rules about payroll and personnel records. You can file a complaint with the Department of Labor & Industries here.
- Insurance: The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner accepts complaints about illegal conduct by insurance companies. Learn more here.
- Public schools: Washington law prohibits discrimination in public schools on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, and disability. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has a Nondiscrimination Policy and Procedure that includes its complaint and investigation procedure.
- Service animals: Under state and federal law, individuals with disabilities are allowed to bring service animals into places of public accommodation. An informational poster for Washington residents and businesses that explains the rights and responsibilities of service animal handlers and places of public accommodation is available here. En Español
- Service members: The Attorney General also enforces the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which protects members of the National Guard or military reserve in areas such as rental agreements, loan interest rates, foreclosure, eviction, and insurance. More information about veteran and military resources is available here. You may file a complaint about veteran issues, including the SCRA, through the Attorney General’s consumer complaint process.