RCW 49.60.120
Certain powers and duties of commission.
The commission shall have the functions, powers, and duties:
(1) To appoint an executive director and chief examiner, and such investigators, examiners, clerks, and other employees and agents as it may deem necessary, fix their compensation within the limitations provided by law, and prescribe their duties.
(2) To obtain upon request and utilize the services of all governmental departments and agencies.
(3) To adopt, amend, and rescind suitable rules to carry out the provisions of this chapter, and the policies and practices of the commission in connection therewith.
(4) To receive, impartially investigate, and pass upon complaints alleging unfair practices as defined in this chapter.
(5) To issue such publications and results of investigations and research as in its judgment will tend to promote good will and minimize or eliminate discrimination because of sex, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
(6) To make such technical studies as are appropriate to effectuate the purposes and policies of this chapter and to publish and distribute the reports of such studies.
(7) To cooperate and act jointly or by division of labor with the United States or other states, with other Washington state agencies, commissions, and other government entities, and with political subdivisions of the state of Washington and their respective human rights agencies to carry out the purposes of this chapter. However, the powers which may be exercised by the commission under this subsection permit investigations and complaint dispositions only if the investigations are designed to reveal, or the complaint deals only with, allegations which, if proven, would constitute unfair practices under this chapter. The commission may perform such services for these agencies and be reimbursed therefor.
(8) To foster good relations between minority and majority population groups of the state through seminars, conferences, educational programs, and other intergroup relations activities.
[ 2020 c 52 § 5; 2007 c 187 § 5; 2006 c 4 § 5; 1997 c 271 § 4. Prior: 1993 c 510 § 6; 1993 c 69 § 4; 1985 c 185 § 10; 1973 1st ex.s. c 214 § 4; 1973 c 141 § 7; 1971 ex.s. c 81 § 1; 1957 c 37 § 7; 1955 c 270 § 8; prior: 1949 c 183 § 6, part; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 7614-25, part.]
NOTES:
Severability—1993 c 510: See note following RCW 49.60.010.
Severability—1993 c 69: See note following RCW 49.60.030.
Effective date—1971 ex.s. c 81: "The effective date of this act shall be July 1, 1971." [ 1971 ex.s. c 81 § 6.]
Human rights commission to investigate unlawful use of refueling services for individuals with disabilities: RCW 49.60.360.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 49.60 - Discrimination—Human Rights Commission.
49.60.010 - Purpose of chapter.
49.60.020 - Construction of chapter—Election of other remedies.
49.60.030 - Freedom from discrimination—Declaration of civil rights.
49.60.050 - Commission created.
49.60.051 - Board name changed to Washington State Human Rights Commission.
49.60.060 - Membership of commission.
49.60.070 - Compensation and reimbursement for travel expenses of commission members.
49.60.090 - Offices of commission.
49.60.100 - Reports of commission.
49.60.110 - Commission to formulate policies.
49.60.120 - Certain powers and duties of commission.
49.60.130 - May create advisory agencies and conciliation councils.
49.60.140 - Commission may hold hearings and subpoena witnesses.
49.60.150 - Witnesses compelled to testify.
49.60.160 - Refusals may be punished as contempt of court.
49.60.170 - Witness fees—Deposition fees.
49.60.172 - Unfair practices with respect to HIV or hepatitis C infection.
49.60.174 - Evaluation of claim of discrimination—Actual or perceived HIV or hepatitis C infection.
49.60.175 - Unfair practices of financial institutions.
49.60.176 - Unfair practices with respect to credit transactions.
49.60.178 - Unfair practices with respect to insurance transactions.
49.60.180 - Unfair practices of employers.
49.60.190 - Unfair practices of labor unions.
49.60.200 - Unfair practices of employment agencies.
49.60.205 - Age discrimination—Limitation.
49.60.208 - Unfair practice—Religious affiliation disclosure.
49.60.220 - Unfair practice to aid violation.
49.60.222 - Unfair practices with respect to real estate transactions, facilities, or services.
49.60.225 - Relief for unfair practice in real estate transaction—Damages—Penalty.
49.60.226 - Cooperative agreements between units of government for processing complaints.
49.60.230 - Complaint may be filed with commission.
49.60.240 - Complaint investigated—Procedure—Conference, conciliation—Agreement, findings—Rules.
49.60.260 - Enforcement of orders of administrative law judge—Appellate review of court order.
49.60.270 - Appeal from orders of administrative law judge.
49.60.280 - Court shall expeditiously hear and determine.
49.60.310 - Misdemeanor to interfere with or resist commission.
49.60.320 - Governor may act on orders against state or political subdivisions.
49.60.340 - Election for civil action in lieu of hearing—Relief.
49.60.350 - Temporary or preliminary relief—Superior court jurisdiction—Petition of commission.
49.60.380 - License waiver for dog guide and service animals.
49.60.390 - Rule-making authority—Deadline—1997 c 271.
49.60.400 - Discrimination, preferential treatment prohibited.
49.60.401 - Short title—1999 c 3.
49.60.405 - Distinction or differential treatment—When authorized.
49.60.500 - Community athletics programs—Sex discrimination prohibited—Definitions.
49.60.505 - Community athletics programs—Nondiscrimination policy required.
49.60.510 - Privileged health information—Noneconomic damages—Waivers.
49.60.520 - Television closed-captioning in places of public accommodation.