<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 42-7. - Enforcement.</div>
<div class="chunk-content">
            <p class="p0">
               Complaints alleging violations of this article shall be filed and investigated as
               follows:
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (1)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Any person who claims to have been injured, or claims they are currently being injured,
                  or who reasonably believes that they will be injured, by any practice made unlawful
                  under this article may file a complaint with an equity officer or such other person
                  as designated by the county manager hereinafter referred to as ("EO").
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (2)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Complaints shall be in writing, signed and verified by the complainant. Complaints
                  shall state the facts upon which the allegation of an unlawful discriminatory practice
                  is based and shall contain such other information and be in such form as the EO requires.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (3)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  A complaint that alleges an unlawful employment practice under this article must be
                  filed with the EO no later than 180 days after the occurrence, or cessation of the
                  alleged unlawful employment practice.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (4)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  A complaint that alleges discrimination in public accommodations under this article
                  must be filed with the EO no later than one year from the date of the occurrence,
                  or cessation of the alleged unlawful practice.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (5)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  The EO shall serve upon the respondent and complainant a copy of the complaint and
                  a notice advising the respondent and complainant of their procedural rights and obligations
                  under this article within ten days after the complaint is filed.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (6)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  A respondent may file an answer to the complaint within 30 days after receiving a
                  copy of the complaint. Answers shall be signed and verified by the respondent and
                  shall be filed with the EO.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (7)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  With leave of the EO, which leave shall be granted whenever it would be reasonable
                  and fair to do so, complaints and answers may be amended at any time. Amendments shall
                  be reduced to writing, signed, verified, and filed with the EO. Amendments shall relate
                  back to the date the original complaint or answer was filed.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (8)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  EO shall, within 30 days after the filing of a complaint, commence an investigation
                  into the allegations contained in the complaint.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (9)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  In conducting an investigation, the EO shall have access at all reasonable times to
                  premises, records, documents, individuals, and other evidence or possible sources
                  of evidence to ascertain the factual basis of the allegations contained in the complaint.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (10)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Further, the EO may examine, record, and copy such materials and take and record the
                  testimony or statements of such persons as reasonably necessary for the furtherance
                  of the investigation.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (11)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  In conducting an investigation, the EO may:
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="incr2">
                  a.
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content3">
                  request production of documents, materials, or other evidence;
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="incr2">
                  b.
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content3">
                  request witnesses, including any party, to appear and give testimony before the EO;
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="incr2">
                  c.
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content3">
                  Issue interrogatories to a respondent.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (12)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Upon written application to the EO, a respondent shall be entitled to the issuance
                  of interrogatories directed to the complainant and to request production of documents,
                  materials, or other evidence.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (13)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Complaints may be resolved at any time by informal conference, conciliation, or persuasion.
                  Nothing said or done in the course of such informal procedure may be made public without
                  the written consent of the person concerned. However, all resolutions of complaints
                  shall be reduced to writing, shall be signed by the complainant, the respondent, and
                  the EO and shall be enforceable as a binding contract.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (14)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  All complaints alleging an unlawful discriminatory housing practice shall be handled
                  in the manner described in<a href="" data-chunk-id="COOR_CH42HURE_ARTINOOR_S42-6HO" class="section-link" data-product-id="12776"> section 42-6</a>, Housing.
                  </p>
               		
               
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. No.
               <a class="ordinance-link" href="" data-product-id="12776" data-ordinance-id="1129356">
                  21-04-18
                  </a>
               , Â§ 1, 4-20-21)
               </p></div>