(1) In conducting an investigation, the commission shall have access at all reasonable times to premises, records, documents, individuals, and other evidence or possible sources of evidence and may examine, record, and copy such materials and take and record the testimony or statements of such persons as are reasonably necessary for the furtherance of the investigation, provided the commission first complies with the provisions of the State Constitution relating to unreasonable searches and seizures. The commission may issue subpoenas to compel its access to or the production of such materials or the appearance of such persons, and may issue interrogatories to a respondent, to the same extent and subject to the same limitations as would apply if the subpoenas or interrogatories were issued or served in aid of a civil action in court. The commission may administer oaths.
(2) Upon written application to the commission, a respondent shall be entitled to the issuance of a reasonable number of subpoenas by and in the name of the commission to the same extent and subject to the same limitations as subpoenas issued by the commission itself. A subpoena issued at the request of a respondent shall show on its face the name and address of such respondent and shall state that it was issued at her or his request.
(3) Within 5 days after service of a subpoena upon any person, such person may petition the commission to revoke or modify the subpoena. The commission shall grant the petition if it finds that the subpoena requires appearance or attendance at an unreasonable time or place, that it requires production of evidence which does not relate to any matter under investigation, that it does not describe with sufficient particularity the evidence to be produced, or that compliance would be unduly onerous or for other good reason.
(4) In case of refusal to obey a subpoena, the commission or the person at whose request the subpoena was issued may petition for its enforcement in the circuit court for the county in which the person to whom the subpoena was addressed resides, was served, or transacts business.
(5) Witnesses summoned by subpoena of the commission shall be entitled to the same witness and mileage fees as are witnesses in proceedings in court. Fees payable to a witness summoned by a subpoena issued at the request of a respondent shall be paid by the respondent.
History.—s. 9, ch. 83-221; s. 1141, ch. 97-102.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 760 - Discrimination in the Treatment of Persons; Minority Representation
Part II - Fair Housing Act (Ss. 760.20-760.37)
760.20 - Fair Housing Act; short title.
760.21 - State policy on fair housing.
760.23 - Discrimination in the sale or rental of housing and other prohibited practices.
760.24 - Discrimination in the provision of brokerage services.
760.25 - Discrimination in the financing of housing or in residential real estate transactions.
760.26 - Prohibited discrimination in land use decisions and in permitting of development.
760.30 - Administration of ss. 760.20-760.37.
760.31 - Powers and duties of commission.
760.32 - Investigations; subpoenas; oaths.
760.35 - Civil actions and relief; administrative procedures.
760.36 - Conciliation agreements.
760.37 - Interference, coercion, or intimidation; enforcement by administrative or civil action.