Enforcement
The Indiana Civil Rights Commission enforces state civil rights laws in five main areas: employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and credit. This section will help you understand what each area covers, how discrimination may occur, and where to go next if you believe your rights may have been violated.
Each enforcement area page gives an overview of what that type of discrimination may include, who may be covered, and important filing information. These pages are designed to help you better understand your rights before taking the next step.
If you are not sure which enforcement area applies to your situation, reviewing these pages is a good place to begin.
Housing
Find information about discrimination in renting, buying, financing, or living in housing.
Learn MoreHousing
Find information about discrimination in renting, buying, financing, or living in housing.
Employment
Learn about discrimination in hiring, pay, termination, harassment, and other workplace issues.
Learn moreEmployment
Learn about discrimination in hiring, pay, termination, harassment, and other workplace issues.
Public Accommodations
Learn about discrimination in places open to the public, such as businesses, restaurants, hotels, and service providers.
Learn MorePublic Accommodations
Learn about discrimination in places open to the public, such as businesses, restaurants, hotels, and service providers.
Education
Understand discrimination protections in schools and educational settings.
Credit
Explore protections related to discrimination in lending and credit-related decisions.
Learn MoreCredit
Explore protections related to discrimination in lending and credit-related decisions.
Why Jurisdiction Matters:
Not every unfair situation falls under the Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s authority. In order for ICRC to investigate a complaint, it must meet certain legal requirements, including where the incident occurred, what happened, and who was involved.
This is called jurisdiction.
Understanding jurisdiction helps ensure that complaints are reviewed by the correct agency and that individuals receive accurate information about their rights and options.
If your situation does not fall within ICRC’s jurisdiction, you may still have options through another agency or legal resource.
Not All Unfair Treatment is Discrimination:
ICRC can only investigate situations that meet the legal definition of discrimination under Indiana civil rights laws.
Location matters:
- The alleged discrimination must occur in Indiana or fall under laws that apply within the state.
The type of issue matters:
- The complaint must fall within one of ICRC’s enforcement areas, such as housing, employment, education, public accommodations, or credit.
Who is involved matters:
- Some laws only apply to certain employers, housing providers, or institutions.
Important Things to Know:
Coverage depends on the facts
- Not every unfair situation is illegal discrimination. The details of what happened matter.
Time limits may apply
- Some complaints must be filed within a certain amount of time.
Different areas have different rules
- Coverage, definitions, and filing deadlines can vary depending on the enforcement area.
Protected Classes
Understand which personal characteristics are protected under Indiana civil rights laws.
How the Complaint Process Works
Get a clear overview of what happens after a complaint is filed.
Know Your Rights
Explore your rights and protections under Indiana civil rights laws.
How to File a Discrimination Complaint
Learn the steps to submit a complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.
