CHAPTER 20

DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

1 VAC 45-20-10. Policy.

The purpose of this chapter is to supplement the Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.1-7142.2-3900 et seq.) of the Code of Virginia, which safeguards all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-26342.2-520 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 1, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-­­20-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Act" means the Virginia Human Rights Act, Chapter 4339 (§ 2.1- 7142.2-3900 et seq.) of Title 2.1 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Complaint" means a written statement by a person or by the council Division alleging an act of discrimination prohibited by § 2.1-716 2.2-3901 of the Code of Virginia.

"Complainant" or "Charging Party" means a person who claims to have been injured by a discriminatory practice. Each reference to a "complainant" shall be deemed to refer, as appropriate, to the singular and plural. 

"Designee" means an individual named designated by the director Director to act in his stead stay pursuant to this chapter.

"Director" means an individual appointed by the Governor designated by the Attorney General to oversee the Division and perform the duties and responsibilities outlined in the Act.

"Discharge" means an actual or constructive termination or separation of an employee from employment.

"Division" means the Department of Law's Division of Human Rights.

"Hearing officer" means a person qualified from the list of hearing officers maintained by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

"Respondent" means a person against whom a complaint of violation of the Act is filed. Each reference to a "complainant" and "respondent" shall be deemed to refer, as appropriate, to the singular and plural. In addition those terms and any other referring to people will be considered masculine or feminine.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-26342.2-520 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 2, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-30. Complaints by or on behalf of persons claiming to be aggrieved.

A. A complaint on behalf of a person claiming to be aggrieved may be made by any person, agency, or organization; however, the complaint must shall be made in writing. The written complaint need not identify by name the person on whose behalf it is made. The person making the complaint, however, shall provide the council Division orally with the name, address and telephone number of the person on whose behalf the complaint is made. During the council's Division's investigation, the director Director shall verify the complaint with the person on whose behalf the complaint is made. The council Division may reveal the identity of complainants to federal, state or local agencies that have agreed to keep such information confidential.

B. The complainant has the responsibility of providing shall provide the council Division with notice of any change in address and with notice of any prolonged absence from his current address.

C. A complaint shall be filed with the council Division not later than 180 days from the day upon which the alleged discriminatory practice occurred.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-26342.2-520 and § 2.2-3903 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 3, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-40. Where to make a complaint.

A complaint may be made filed in person or by mail at 1100 E. Bank Street, Washington Building, 12th Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219 202 North 9^th Street, Richmond, VA 23219 between the hours of 9:30 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; or by mail at P.O. Box 717, Richmond, Virginia 23206; or by FAX (804) 225-3294; or by E-mail: Human_Rights@oag.state.va.us. Telephone calls may be made at 1-800-633-5510 or (804) 225-2292 in order to receive information on how and where to file complaints. No complaint will be taken over the phone.Complaints shall not be accepted over the telephone.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2634 2.2-520 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 4, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-50. Contents of complaint.

A. Each complaint should shall contain the following:

1. The full name, address, and telephone number of the person making the complaint;

2. The full name and address of the person against whom the complaint is made;

3. A clear concise statement of the facts, including pertinent dates, constituting the alleged unlawful discriminatory practices;

4. The date of filing and the name of the agency in cases where alleged complaints alleging unlawful discriminatory practices have been filed before a local, state or federal agency charged with the enforcement of discrimination laws; and

5. Any documentation the complainant feels believes will support the claim.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, a complaint shall be considered filed when the council Division receives a written statement which identifies the parties and describes generally the action or practices complained of.

C. A complaint may be reasonably and fairly amended by the complainant or the director Director at any time prior to a hearing. Except for the purposes of notifying the respondent as specified in subsection D below, amended complaints will be considered as having been made as of the original filing date.

D. When an amendment is filed, the Office of Human Rights Division shall forward a copy of the amendment to the respondent within five working days of the amendment. The respondent shall, within 10 working days after receiving the amendment, file an answer to the amendment.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2634 2.2-520 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 5, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-60. Filing referrals to state and federal agencies.

A. Complaints which are under the jurisdiction of another state agency are considered filed with that agency when received by the council Division provided the time limit for filing with the other agency has not expired.  if the filing falls within the time limits for filing as required by that agency pursuant to § 2.1-722 2.2-522 of the Code of Virginia.

B. The council Division has established interagency agreements with the following state agencies:

1. Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation-Real Estate Board;

2. Department of Labor and Industry;

3. Department of Personnel and Training Department of Human Resources Management;

4. Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities Virginia Office of Protection and Advocacy; and

5. Department of Employee Relations Counselors Department of Human Resources Management - Office of Employee Dispute Resolutions.

If it is deemed appropriate, agreements will be established with other state agencies and these regulations will be amended to include the agencies.

If the director Director or his designee Designee determines that the complaint is not within the council's Division's jurisdiction, but possibly in the jurisdiction of one of the interagency agreement agencies, the complaint shall be sent to the appropriate agency within 15 working days of the determination. The complainant shall be notified of this action and a reason provided. Once the complaint has been forwarded and the complainant notified, the council Division shall close the case. In the event the complaint is not under the jurisdiction of the agency to which it was referred or if additional evidence is submitted the case will be reopened.

C. Persons filing under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, or the Fair Labor Standards Act shall be notified within 15 days that they should also file with the appropriate federal agency within the appropriate time period if the statute of limitations has not already expired.

D. All charges complaints shall be dated and time-stamped upon receipt.

E. Complaints shall be filed with the council Division not later than 180 days from the day upon which the alleged discriminatory practice occurred.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2634 2.2-522 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 6, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-70. Notice of complaint.

Within 15 working days after the filing perfecting of a complaint, the director Director shall notify the respondent of the complaint by mail.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2634 2.2-522 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 7, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-80. Investigations by the director Director or his designee Designee.

A. During the investigation of a complaint, the director Director may utilize the information gathered by government agencies. The director Director shall accept a statement of position or evidence submitted by the complainant, the person making the complaint on behalf of complainant, or the respondent. The director Director may submit a request for information to the respondent which, in addition to specific questions, may request a response to the allegations contained in the complaint. The director's Director's or his designee's Designee's request for information shall be mailed within 20 30 working days of receipt of the complaint. A response to the request for information should shall be submitted within 20 21 working days from the date the request is postmarked.

B. The director Director may require the complainant to provide such additional information as he deems necessary to conduct an investigation. The complainant and respondent shall provide such additional information deemed necessary by the Director or his designee to conduct an investigation.

C. The director Director may require a fact-finding conference held in accordance with § 2.2-4019 of the Code of Virginia with the parties prior to a determination of a complaint of discrimination. The conference is an investigative forum intended to define the issues, to determine the elements in dispute, and to ascertain whether there is a basis for a negotiated settlement of the complaint.

D. The director's Director's or his designee's authority to investigate a complaint is not limited to the procedures outlined in subsections A, B, and C of this section.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2634 2.2-520 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 8, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-90. Dismissal; procedure and authority.

A. When the director Director determines that the complaint is not timely filed, or fails to state a claim under the Act, the director Director shall dismiss the complaint.

B. When the director Director determines after investigation that there is not reasonable cause to believe that the Act has been violated, the director Director shall dismiss the complaint. If the complainant disagrees with the director's Director's decision, the council Division can be petitioned within 10 working days for a review of the decision.

C. Upon petition for review, the council Division shall establish a panel of three members to hear such petitions. If it is determined within 30 working days after the petition for review of a dismissal of a complaint that there is not reasonable cause to believe the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the council Division shall issue an order dismissing the complaint and furnish a copy of the order to all parties. Upon receiving a petition for review, the Division shall determine whether to:

(1) issue a final determination to the parties in accordance with § 2.2-4023 of the Code of Virginia;

(2) refer the matter to the appropriate federal agency when applicable, or;

(3) hold a formal hearing in accordance with 1 VAC 45-20-110.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2634 2.2-520 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 9, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-100. Settlement.

A. When the director Director determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that an unlawful discriminatory practice has occurred or is occurring, the director Director shall endeavor to eliminate such practice by informal methods of conference, conciliation, and negotiation.

B. When conciliation or negotiated settlement is successful, the terms of the agreement shall be reduced to writing and signed by the complainant, respondent, and the director Director within 10 working days of the agreement settlement.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2634 2.2-520 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 10, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-110. Public Formal hearing.

A. When conciliation efforts fail, or when the director Director determines that the conciliation process will not be in the best interest of the complainant or the Commonwealth, the director Director shall set the matter for public formal hearing conducted in accordance with § 2.2-4020 of the Code of Virginia or refer the complaint to the appropriate federal agency.

B. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be mailed to the parties at least 20 working days before the date of the hearing.

C. All hearings shall be open to the public.

D. A case will shall be heard by a hearing officer appointed by the council Division from a list obtained from the Supreme Court of Virginia.

E. The hearing officer shall not be bound by statutory rules of evidence or technical rules of procedure.

F. Both the complainant and the respondent shall appear and be heard in person, but may be assisted by counsel, or by an authorized representative.

G. All testimony shall be given under oath or affirmation.

H. The order of presentation shall be established by the hearing officer with the burden of going forward proof being placed on the complainant.

I. Where any Any party who fails to appear at a fact-finding conference or hearing conducted pursuant to these regulations, or to respond to a request for information by a specified date, in the absence of good cause shown, shall be deemed to have waived all further rights to appear, present evidence, or petition for rehearing or reconsideration the Division shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of § 2.2-4020.2 of the Code of Virginia.

J. Irrelevant, immaterial and unduly repetitious evidence shall, at the discretion of the hearing officer, be excluded. The rules of privilege shall be given effect.

K. The hearing officer may accept relevant documents or other evidence into the record as exhibits. Documents to be submitted at the hearing by a party must shall be distributed to the council Division and the other party no later than five working days prior to the hearing. Documents not submitted in accordance with this rule will shall only be admitted when the presiding body or hearing officer determines that just cause exists for failure to follow this rule.

L. Before the hearing is closed concludes, the parties shall be given an opportunity to present an oral closing argument of their case and proposed findings and conclusion in accordance with the provisions of § 2.2-4020 of the Code of Virginia.

M. The hearing shall be recorded by an official reporter and one transcript willshall be purchased by the council Division. The After the Division has received the transcript, the council's Division's copy will shall be made available for review within a reasonable time five working days after upon request at to the Office Division of Human Rights during regular business hours.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2634 2.2-520 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 11, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-120. Findings and recommendations.

A. The hearing officer of the council Division shall state submit a recommended decision with findings of fact and conclusions of law in writing to the Division. The findings recommended decision of the hearing officer shall be filed with the council Division within 30 90 working days of the date of completion of the hearing.

B. If the council votes to Director accepts the hearing officer's findings that the respondent has not engaged in a discriminatory practice, it the Division shall issue an order dismissing the complaint. A copy of the order shall be furnished to the complainant and the respondent.

C. If the council votes to Division accepts the hearing officer's findings that the respondent has committed an unlawful discriminatory practice, it the Division shall state its findings and may issue recommendations to the respondent to eliminate the discriminatory practice, including, but not limited to:

1. Hiring, reinstating, promoting or upgrading the position of the complainant, with or without back pay, and providing such fringe benefits as the complainant has been denied;

2. Restoring or admitting the complainant to membership in a labor organization, a training program, guidance program or other occupational training program, using the objective criteria for admission of persons to such programs;

3. Leasing, renting or selling property at issue to the complainant;

4. Extending to the complainant the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges or accommodations of the respondent;

5. Admitting the complainant to a public accommodation or educational institution;

6. Reporting as to the manner of compliance;

7. Posting notices in a conspicuous place setting forth requirements for compliance with this chapter or other information that the council the Division deems necessary to explain the Act;

8. Revising personnel policies and procedures, including the undertaking of affirmative efforts; and

9. Reimbursing attorney's fees to complainant.

D. If the council votes Division does not to accept the hearing officer's findings, it the Director will return the findings to the hearing officer for further consideration, or appoint a new hearing officer and set a new hearing on the complaint. If the Division rejects the hearing officer's recommended decision, the Division shall state its own finding of facts and/or conclusions of law based on the record.

E. Copies of the council's Division's final decision, including where applicable, any recommendations, shall be furnished to the complainant and respondent within 15 working days.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2634 2.2-520 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 12, eff. July 4, 1990.

1 VAC 45-20-130. General.

A. If the council Division fails to act by dates specified herein, neither the rights of the complainant nor the respondent will shall be prejudiced.

B. If the complainant or the respondent fails to comply with the provisions stated herein, except where good cause is shown, the failure may be deemed a waiver of any rights provided herein.

C. After the initial filing, all correspondence relative to the case should shall be by certified mail, hand delivered, or by a carrier who will furnish a receipt.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2634 2.2-520 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR402-01-02 § 13, eff. July 4, 1990.