49-2-504. Informal investigation and conciliation. (1) (a) The department shall informally investigate the matters set out in the complaint promptly and impartially. If the department determines that the allegations are supported by a preponderance of the evidence, it shall attempt to achieve a resolution of the complaint by conference, conciliation, and persuasion that, in addition to providing redress for the complaint, includes conditions that eliminate the discriminatory practice, if any, identified in the investigation. The department shall, within 10 business days following receipt of a filed complaint, notify a respondent that the respondent is the subject of a filed complaint. The notification must be in writing and must include a copy of the filed complaint. If requested, the department shall also provide the parties with all other information related to the complaint in the possession of the department that is not currently in the possession of the parties or a party. The department shall make known to the parties the fact that information is available upon request. The department may not investigate a complaint until it has received notice that the respondent has received the department's notification of the complaint.
     (b) If a complaint is filed relative to an employment-related complaint and if the commissioner decides that the inclusion of documents or information contained in the complaint would seriously impede the rights of a person or the proper investigation of the complaint, the information may be excluded from the notification by providing a written summary of the information contained in the complaint. The written summary must include sufficient information to give maximum effect to the intent of this chapter.
     (2) The respondent shall file an answer to a complaint filed with the department within 10 business days of the respondent's receipt of the complaint. An answer may be a response simply admitting or denying the allegations without further specificity or requesting additional information from the department. The time for filing an answer may be extended by a showing of good cause.
     (3) The department shall commence proceedings within 30 days after receipt of a complaint.
     (4) The department shall make a finding regarding the merit or nonmerit of the complaint within 180 days after a complaint is filed, except that the department shall make the finding within 120 days after a complaint is filed under 49-2-305.

     History: En. 64-308 by Sec. 5, Ch. 283, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 524, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 64-308(4); amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 467, L. 1997.