The Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights ("Commission") is one of the oldest state agencies in the country that specializes in antidiscrimination law enforcement. The Rhode Island General Assembly established the Commission in 1949 with the understanding that "[t]he practice or policy of discrimination against individuals ...is a matter of state concern", and that "discrimination foments public strife and unrest, threatens the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the state, and undermines the foundations of a free democratic state". R.I.G.L. Section 28-5-2.


The Commission's major program activities include:

• outreach and education;
• intake, investigation and settlement of discrimination charges;
• administrative hearings.