Subdivision 2. Administrative Provisions

There is created a body of Commissioners of the Office of Human Rights composed of thirteen (13) members. The members shall be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the Council pursuant to the provisions of Section 322 of the Charter. Such members shall be broadly representative of the citizens of the County.

Of the initial members of the Human Rights Commission: four (4) members shall be appointed for terms to expire one (1) year after the effective date of this Act; four (4) members shall be appointed for two (2) years from the effective date of this Act; and five (5) members shall be appointed for three (3) years from the effective date of this Act. The County Executive shall designate one (1) member of the Commission to serve as Chairperson, subject to confirmation by the Council. Thereafter, the term of office for each member shall be three (3) years. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which one's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed in the same manner as prescribed in Section 2-187(a) and shall serve for the remainder of such term.

The Commission may establish special Hearing Panels consisting of at least three (3) members in Housing and Residential Real Estate, Employment, Law Enforcement, Education, Commercial Real Estate, and/or other areas as it deems necessary, operating under such rules as the Commission shall devise.

Pursuant to the rules of the Commission, the Chairperson may also designate special subcommittees or may direct the Agency to make studies, inquiries, or investigations into particular matters which are within the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission.

The County Executive shall appoint an Executive Director. S/he shall supervise the operations of the Agency and shall perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Commission.

The proposed budget of the Office of Human Rights shall be submitted to the County Executive in accordance with County budget procedures. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII of the Charter, it is authorized to expend funds derived from private grants, the State or the United States to carry out its functions and activities, and to cooperate with any agency of the State or the United States in carrying out its functions and activities.

The Agency shall make an annual report to the County Executive and the Council on or before October 1 of each year, outlining its activities during the preceding fiscal year. The report shall include statistics indicating the number and type of complaints filed and the disposition of complaints. The report shall include data on race and ethnic characteristics of those who have filed a complaint under housing and residential real estate. The report shall also include affirmative action or programs undertaken during the year for the betterment of human relations and any other matters relevant to the authorized activities of the Agency, including recommendations for legislative or administrative action to further the purposes and policies established by this Division. The report shall be made public by the County Executive.

The Agency may be required by the County Executive or the Council to make such interim reports, including reports of investigations, as they may request.

The functions of the Agency shall be to:

The functions of the Commission shall be to:

The Agency shall have authority and power to make such surveys and studies concerning human and civil rights, conditions and problems as it may determine, and to promote in every way possible the betterment of human relations. In making such studies and surveys, the Agency shall be authorized to expend any funds which may be provided for in regular or supplementary appropriations. On the basis of such studies or surveys, the Agency shall recommend to the County Executive and/or the Council additional legislation or changes in existing legislation as may be deemed appropriate.

Whenever any pattern and/or serious incident or incidents of discrimination arise, the Commission may immediately hold an informal investigatory hearing. The purpose of the hearing shall be to resolve the problem promptly by the gathering of all the facts from all available sources and to make such recommendations as may be necessary.

The Agency shall, in writing, inform any person filing any charge or complaint of the disposition of his or her complaint.

Whenever the Commission receives reliable information from any person and, after proper investigation, determine that a violation of this Division has occurred, any member of the Commission shall have the authority, upon a majority vote of the full body of the Commission, to initiate a complaint in the name of that Commissioner.

If at any time after a complaint has been filed the Agency determines that appropriate civil action to preserve the status quo or to prevent such irreparable harm is necessary, the Agency may transmit the matter to the County Attorney for necessary action to preserve such status quo or to prevent such irreparable harm, including, but not limited to, temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunction.