A.
Any
individual who claims to be aggrieved by a discriminatory practice
may file with the Commission a verified complaint in writing stating
the name and address of the person alleged to have committed such
practice, the particulars thereof, and such other information as may
be required by the commission.
B.
Any
complaint filed under this Section in which affirmative relief is
sought shall state what relief is sought or proposed.
C.
All
such complaints shall be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days
of the date of the alleged discriminatory practice.
D.
An
individual who files a complaint with the Commission shall be advised
of the possibility of filing a complaint with the Missouri Commission
on Human Rights.
A.
Complaints
shall be investigated and conciliated or mediated by individuals who
have been approved by the Commission and trained in investigation,
conciliation and mediation.
B.
Upon
filing of a complaint, the Chairperson of the Commission shall designate
an individual to investigate the allegations. The individual shall
promptly investigate such allegations, and if he/she determines that
probable cause exists for crediting the allegations of the complaint,
he/she shall thereupon undertake to eliminate the alleged discriminatory
practice or practices by conference, conciliation and persuasion or
mediation, and shall inform the Commission of the results of such
efforts. If the individual determines that no such probable cause
exists, he/she shall so report to the Commission, which shall thereupon
dismiss the complaint without further proceedings, or direct further
investigation or, if it determines that probable cause exists for
crediting the allegations of the complaint, direct that the alleged
discriminatory practice or practices be the subject of conference,
conciliation and persuasion or mediation. Neither the members of the
Commission nor any person participating in the investigation shall
disclose what has occurred in the course of such efforts to conciliate.
The determination of probable cause shall be made, and the investigation
and conciliation or mediation shall be conducted, in accordance with
such rules, regulations and guidelines as the Commission shall prescribe.
C.
If
such efforts fail to eliminate the alleged discriminatory practice
or practices, the complainant shall be referred to the Missouri Commission
on Human Rights.
A.
No
prosecution for a violation of any provision of this Article, shall
be commenced unless a complaint shall have first been filed with the
Commission and efforts of the commission to eliminate the alleged
violation have failed.
B.
The
period of limitation for any violation of this Article shall not run
during any time while a complaint involving the alleged violation
is pending before the Commission.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this Article shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be punished
by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or imprisonment
not exceeding thirty (30) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
