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Civil Rights Program

Learn about the five W’s of King County’s Civil Rights Program
Signage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Signage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 

Our Mission

Our mission is to eliminate unlawful discrimination through education, mediation, and enforcement that is responsive to a diverse King County.

The Five W's of King County's Civil Rights Program

A team of Civil Right Investigators working in the Executive’s Office of Equity and Racial and Social Justice (OERSJ).
We are committed to protecting civil rights by making sure everyone feels included and helping King County be a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

King County Protected Classes

  • Age except by min. age and retirement provisions
  • Citizenship or Immigration Status
  • Color
  • Disability
  • English Proficiency
  • Language Proficiency
  • Ethnicity
  • Gender Identity or Expression
  • Marital Status
  • Military Status
  • National Origin
  • Parental Status
  • Participation in the Section 8 program, other housing subsidy
  • Race
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Sex
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Status as a Family Caregiver
  • Status as a veteran who was honorably discharged soley because of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Our job is to make sure that everyone in King County has equal access to county buildings, programs, and services without discrimination by making sure the County follows anti-discrimination laws in:

We also help the County comply with two important laws:

Our services and activities, include but are not limited to:

  • Investigating complaints about civil rights, Title II and Title VI violations,
  • Working with County departments to improve accessibility and equity, and
  • Connecting people with other resources if their issue is outside our area.
You can reach our team Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
You can reach us through
email: civilrights@kingcounty.gov,
phone: 206-263-2446 (TTY 7-1-1) or
in-person (by appointment only) at 401 5th Ave, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98104.

How to File a Complaint

If you believe your civil rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint. To begin the process, complete the Civil Rights Inquiry Form.

Completing this inquiry form is the starting point to learn if the Civil Rights Program of the King County Office of Equity and Racial and Social Justice (OERSJ) can investigate your discrimination claim. Completing this form does not mean you have filed a complaint. A member of our team will contact you after reviewing your inquiry form.

If you need assistance in completing the form or would like to request an alternative format, contact us at 206-263-2446 (TTY 7-1-1) or civilrights@kingcounty.gov.

 


Start a Civil Rights Inquiry Form

 

Sometimes individuals file complaints with multiple agencies, including other County departments. In these cases, we follow the parallel investigation procedure. This procedure ensures a coordinated, efficient, and fair response to civil rights complaints, avoiding duplication while maximizing opportunities for resolution.


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