Human Rights Advisory Commission

The Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission (BCHRAC) promotes equal opportunity in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, town and county services, insurance, banking, credit, and healthcare for all persons in Barnstable County regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, sexual or affection preference, marital, family, or military status, source of income, neighborhood, or disability.

The Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission (BCHRAC) is an advisory body established by Barnstable County Regional Government in 2005 (and governed by Ordinance 22-01) to promote human rights for all persons of Barnstable County (the fifteen towns on Cape Cod).

The BCHRAC works to:

1. Provide assistance to municipalities, public agencies, and the public by promoting equality and human rights through: educational activities; community forums and events; dissemination of information and publication.

2. Promote equality and equal protections with local stakeholders and diverse communities.

3. Minimize acts and patterns of discrimination by promoting awareness through education.

4. When necessary, direct those subject to apparent human rights violations to appropriate local, state, and federal officials and agencies.

5. Create and maintain a database of federal and state regulatory and enforcement agencies including, but not limited to, publicly certified interveners, responders, counselors, and mediators.

6. Gather and report human rights data.