Sec. 05.05.05.24. Nondiscrimination; Drug Free and Alcohol Free Workplace

A. A sponsor or contractor may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or age, except with regard to age as permitted under the federal Housing for Older Persons Act, as amended from time to time, or other similar federal laws, in leasing or otherwise providing dwelling accommodations or in any other aspect of the development, administration, or operation of any project or undertaking financed or assisted under the program, or in any aspect of employment by any sponsor, developer, or contractor in the construction, repair, or maintenance of any property financed or assisted under the program.

B. Each sponsor or contractor shall comply with all applicable federal, State, and local laws and Department policies and programs regarding discrimination and equal opportunity in employment, housing, and credit practices, and drug and alcohol free workplaces, including:

(1) Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended;

(2) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended;

(3) The Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988, as amended;

(4) State Government Article, Title 20, Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended;

(5) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended;

(6) The Department's Minority Business Enterprise Program, as amended, if the local government does not have its own minority business participation program that is acceptable to the Department; and

(7) Executive Order 01.01.1989.18, Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace, and any Department or State regulations adopted or to be adopted to carry out the requirements of that order.

C. Covenants implementing the requirements of this regulation, including affirmative action measures, shall be included in appropriate agreements between the Department and other parties.