About the Case
On October 2, 2024, the United States of America sued the Maryland Department of State Police (“MDSP”), claiming that MDSP violated a federal law against employment discrimination called Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The United States claims that MDSP violated Title VII when it used a certain physical fitness test and a certain written test to hire entry-level Troopers, because the tests disqualified more female and African-American applicants than others and were not job-related. MDSP denies that it violated the law.
MDSP and the United States have agreed to a settlement to resolve the lawsuit through a consent decree. Under the consent decree, MDSP agreed to use only lawful tests. MDSP also agreed to provide monetary awards and priority hiring awards to affected female and/or African-American applicants who could have become Troopers if MDSP had not used the tests challenged in the lawsuit.
Before awards can be made, the Court must give final approval to the terms of the consent decree. On November 8, 2024, the Court provisionally approved the decree. The Court will consider whether to give final approval to the consent decree at a Fairness Hearing on March 10, 2025.
If you have no objection to the court giving final approval to the consent decree, you do not need to take any action.
If you believe that the settlement is unfair, unreasonable, inadequate, unlawful, a product of collusion, or against the public interest, you can object by filling out the form here by January 20, 2025. If you do not object by this date, you may not have another chance to object to the settlement in the future. At the Fairness Hearing on March 10, 2025, the Court will consider all objections received.
You do not need to object in order to get an award. You do not need to do anything at this time if you want the Court to approve the settlement or if you want to get an award.
If and when the Court gives final approval to the consent decree, people who may be eligible for an award will be notified and be able to submit a form to say they would like an award.