Legal Authority

Honoring humanity creates an equitable and just society.

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Black family posing outdoors

Often, in the United States, the guarantee of human rights starts with recognition in the law. The Washington State Office of Equity champions equity and justice for everyone in the state, working to ensure that the civil rights of the Black Community are protected based on the law. We are committed to promoting policies and laws in Washington state that protect the human rights of Black Community residents based on principles of humanity, justice, and belonging.  Below are laws that protect the human and civil rights of the Black Community. Please visit Policy (insert link to Policy landing page)for more information on federal and state laws that protect human rights and outlaw discrimination.

Washington

  • Governor’s Executive Order 21-01, Affirming Washington State Business Resource Groups.
  • Chapter 49.60 RCW, Prohibits discrimination in the context of credit, public accommodation, real estate and — of particular concern for local governments — employment on the basis of race, creed or religion, color, national origin, families with children, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, military status or the presence of disability. The Washington State Legislature expanded the anti-discrimination law to prohibit racial discrimination on the basis of hair and discrimination on the basis of citizenship status HB 2602.
  • Chapter 69.50.336 RCW, Establishes a task force on social equity in marijuana. The purpose of the task force is to make recommendations to the board including but not limited to establishing a social equity program for the issuance and reissuance of existing retail marijuana licenses, and to advise the governor and the legislature on policies that will facilitate development of a marijuana social equity program. This RCW came from HB 1443.
I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole. Malcolm X
Ignorance allied with power is the most ferocious enemy justice can have. James Baldwin