Sec. 14.03.05.01. Scope

A. It is the policy of the State not to enter into a contract with any business entity that has discriminated in the solicitation, selection, hiring, or commercial treatment of vendors, suppliers, subcontractors, or commercial customers on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, or national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability, or any otherwise unlawful use of characteristics regarding the vendor's, supplier's, or commercial customer's employees or owners.

B. These regulations provide the Commission's interpretation and regulations to implement the commercial nondiscrimination policy, as required by State Finance and Procurement Article, §19-119(a), and pursuant to State Government Article, §§10-110-10-112, Annotated Code of Maryland.

C. The rules of procedure provided in this chapter apply to the processing of complaints of commercial discrimination and retaliation filed under State Finance and Procurement Article, §§19-101-19-120, Annotated Code of Maryland.

D. Rules of procedure for directing and conducting investigations of discrimination and retaliation complaints filed under State Finance and Procurement Article, §§19-101-19-120, Annotated Code of Maryland, shall be in a manner consistent with State Government Article, §§20-207, 20-1005, and 20-1006, Annotated Code of Maryland.

E. These regulations may not be construed to prohibit or limit otherwise lawful efforts to remedy the effects of discrimination that have occurred or are occurring in the marketplace.