Overview
Established in the Anchorage Charter in 1975, the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission (AERC) is the Municipal law enforcement agency charged to eliminate and prevent unlawful discrimination under Title 5 of the Municipal Code within the geographic boundaries of the Municipality. (See Anchorage Municipal Charter and Anchorage Municipal Code, Title 5.).
The AERC also enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 through a workshare agreement with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The AERC also enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA - Title I).
The Commission
The AERC is governed by nine members who are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Anchorage Assembly. The Commission meets on a regular basis, typically on the third Thursday of the month, at 6 p.m. in the Mayor's Conference Room at City Hall (632 W. Sixth Ave., Suite 830). Meeting dates and times are published in the Municipal Public Notices. You may contact the Commission staff at 343-4342 or at aerc@muni.org for information about the next Commission meeting.
Staff
The AERC has eight professionals on staff, including an Executive Director, and Staff Attorney, four Investigators, an Administrative Assistant and a Docket Clerk. You may contact the staff at 343-4342 or at aerc@muni.org.
Filing a Discrimination or Harassment Complaint
A complaint may be started by calling or visiting our office. The AERC staff will assist you in preparing a complaint after reviewing your concern. Contact the AERC at 343-4342 or email us at aerc@muni.org, or fill out an Intake Questionnaire and fax to 343-4395 or email it to aerc@muni.org.