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.