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Welcome to the Office for Civil Rights Web site

Text Version                                   En Español

Changes to Enforcement and Appeal Rules finalized by Seattle Office for Civil Rights

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights has finalized SHRR Chapter 40 and Chapter 46, Administrative Rules for all enforcement and appeals conducted by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights and the Seattle Human Rights Commission.

Chapter 40 – Practice and Procedure in Discrimination Cases (PDF)
Chapter 46 – Seattle Human Rights Commission Appeals Rules (PDF)

Administrative Rules for Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance: FINAL VERSION

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights has released the final version of the Administrative Rules for the Seattle Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance. This final version contains a number of substantive clarifications, as well as a number of more minor changes. For more information.

Local protection of the rights to breastfeed children in public places

The City of Seattle has passed a law to protect women who breastfeed their children in public places. If you feel your rights have been violated, contact us at the Seattle Office for Civil Rights. This local ordinance adds to the rights that Seattle residents already enjoy – Washington State has provided this protection statewide since 2009.

Council Bill #117416

Testing confirms African Americans and people with disabilities face frequent rental housing discrimination in Seattle

Housing discrimination occurs frequently in Seattle, according to test results just released by the City of Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR). SOCR has filed director's charges of illegal discrimination against six property owners based on practices revealed by the testing. More than half of all properties tested showed evidence of illegal housing discrimination.

Read the press release

Frequently Asked Questions: Fair housing testing conducted by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights

Read the report: City of Seattle – 2011 Fair Housing Testing

Possible protections to end discrimination in housing and employment based on arrest / conviction record.

At the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, we envision a city where all people enjoy equal rights, equal opportunity and freedom from illegal discrimination. SOCR promotes racial and social justice for everyone in Seattle through education, policy work, and enforcement of civil rights laws.

Here is more of what you can discover on our site:

• Learn how to file a discrimination complaint in housing, employment, public accommodations and contracting.
• File a complaint


• View our publications in English and other languages.


• Link to the web sites of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, Seattle Women's Commission, Seattle LGBT Commission, Seattle Commission for People with disAbilities, and the Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Board.
• Learn more about the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative.

We have created a text-only version of the site for people who use a screen reader, as well as a Spanish-language version. If you have any trouble accessing any part of our web site, please let us know as soon as possible.

Thanks for visiting,

Julie Nelson, Director