The proposed rule amendments seek to clarify and delete obsolete, unnecessary, or redundant rules.

 

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Commission on Human Relations

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

60Y-5.004Executive Director's Investigatory Determination; Notice

60Y-5.006Administrative Dismissal of a Complaint

60Y-5.008Petition for Relief from an Unlawful Employment Practice

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendments seek to clarify and delete obsolete, unnecessary, or redundant rules.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed rules clarify proceedings upon complaints of unlawful employment practice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 760.06(12), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 760.03(7), 760.06, 760.10, 760.11, FS.

IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Casey Snipes, Florida Commission on Human Relations, 4075 Esplanade Way, Suite 110, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone], [e-mail].

 

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

 

60Y-5.004 Executive Director’s Investigatory Determination; Notice.

(1) Upon completion of an investigation, if a complaint has not been settled or withdrawn, the Office of Employment Investigations shall report the investigation, with recommendation, to the Office of General Counsel. The Office of General Counsel shall review the report and shall make a recommendation to the Executive Director as to whether there is reasonable cause to believe that an unlawful employment practice has occurred.

(2) If the recommendation is based upon lack of jurisdiction over the respondent or subject matter of the complaint or upon untimely filing of the complaint, the Executive Director may dismiss the complaint pursuant to subsection 60Y-5.006(3) or (11), F.A.C., provided that the investigation does not reveal any disputed issues of material fact. The Executive Director shall issue a determination on the foregoing bases of lack of jurisdiction or untimeliness where disputed issues of material fact appear to exist.

(3) After a determination has been made by the Executive Director, the Clerk shall serve a Notice of Determination, with copies of the determination, upon the complainant and the respondent.

(4) A Notice of Determination of Reasonable Cause shall include an invitation to participate in conciliation and shall advise the complainant of the elective right to file either a Petition for Relief, pursuant to Rule 60Y-5.008, F.A.C., within 35 days of the date of determination or a civil action within one year of the date of determination. A Petition for Relief form, in blank, shall be provided to the complainant at the time of service of the notice.

(5) A Notice of Determination of No Reasonable Cause, No Jurisdiction or Untimeliness shall advise the complainant of the right to file a Petition for Relief, pursuant to Rule 60Y-5.008, F.A.C., within 35 days of the date of determination. A Petition for Relief form, in blank, shall be provided to the complainant at the time of service of the notice.

(6) If a Petition for Relief is not filed with the Commission within 35 days of the date of determination, the Commission will take no further action and will close the matter.

(67) After service of a Notice of Determination, the parties named in the determination may inspect the records and documents, in the custody of the Commission, which pertain to the determination. The Executive Director may direct that a particular record, document or portion thereof be withheld from inspection by a party only when necessary for the protection of a witness or third party, or for the preservation of a trade secret.

Rulemaking Authority 760.06(132) FS. Law Implemented 760.03(7), 760.06, 760.10, 760.11 FS. History–New 11-2-78, Amended 6-16-83, 8-12-85, Formerly 22T-9.04, 22T-9.004, Amended 2-5-04, Amended xx-xx-xx.

 

60Y-5.006 Administrative Dismissal of a Complaint.

The Executive Director, on behalf of the Commission, shall dismiss a complaint upon one or more of the following grounds:

(1) The complainant has failed or refused to cooperate or has failed to appear at or fails or refuses to participate in a duly noticed fact-finding conference and after notice pursuant to subsection 60Y-5.003(5), F.A.C., has failed to duly respond or show good cause for such nonappearance or nonparticipation;

(2) The complaint has been resolved by negotiated settlement pursuant to subsection 60Y-5.003(10), F.A.C.;

(3) The complaint has not been timely filed with the Commission;

(4) After service of Notice of Determination of Reasonable Cause, No Reasonable Cause, or No Jurisdiction, the complainant has failed to file a Petition for Relief pursuant to Rule 60Y-5.008, F.A.C.;

(4)(5) Anytime after the expiration of 180 days from the date of filing the complaint when a Determination of Reasonable Cause or No Reasonable Cause has not been issued by the Commission, and and the complainant has failed to file a Petition for Relief pursuant to Rule 60Y-5.008(1)(b), F.A.C.  after the Complainant files notice of a planned, or files a, civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction;

(5)(6) The complainant cannot be located after reasonable efforts to locate have been made and there is no response from the complainant within 30 days after notice was sent by certified mail to the complainant’s last known address;

(6)(7) An agreement to submit to arbitration has been filed pursuant to Rule 60Y-5.009, F.A.C.;

(7)(8) The complainant has voluntarily dismissed the petition for relief pursuant to subsection 60Y-5.008(7), F.A.C.;

(8)(9) The complainant has voluntarily withdrawn the complaint; or

(9)(10) There is no jurisdiction over the respondent or subject matter of the complaint.

Rulemaking Authority 760.06(132) FS. Law Implemented 20.05, 760.06, 760.11 FS. History–New 11-2-78, Amended 6-16-83, 8-29-84, 8-12-85, Formerly 22T-9.06, Amended 8-11-86, Formerly 22T-9.006, Amended 2-5-04, Amended xx-xx-xx.

 

60Y-5.008 Petition for Relief from an Unlawful Employment Practice.

(1) Petition. A complainant may file a Petition for Relief from an Unlawful Employment Practice within 35 days of the Date of Determination of Reasonable Cause, No Reasonable Cause, No Jurisdiction or Untimeliness. In the event that the Commission does not issue a determination within 180 days after the complaint was filed, a complainant may also file a Petition for Relief from an Unlawful Employment Practice within 35 days of the date the Commission certifies mailing the notice required under section 760.11(8)(b), Florida Statutes.  A complainant who is not represented by an attorney may file a Petition for Relief without copies or proof of service, and the Clerk shall prepare copies and serve them upon all other parties.

(2) For good cause shown, the Chairperson may grant an extension of time to file the Petition for Relief from an Unlawful Employment Practice, provided the motion for extension of time is filed within the 35-day period prescribed by subsection 60Y-5.008(1), F.A.C.

(3) Procedures. Petitions for Relief, and proceedings thereupon, are governed by the provisions of Chapters 28-106 and 60Y-4, F.A.C., except as otherwise provided by this section.

(4) Class Allegations.

(a) The petition may include an allegation that the respondent has acted or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to a class, in which case the petition shall also include a description of the class of persons allegedly affected.

(b) If the petition contains class allegations, the administrative law judge, on motion of a party, may include in the recommended order a proposed certification of the class if:

1. The class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impractical,

2. There are questions of law or fact common to the class,

3. The claims of the petitioner are typical of the claims of the class, and

4. The petitioner will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class.

If the administrative law judge proposes that a class be certified, the administrative law judge may also include in the recommended order proposed findings and conclusions concerning the respondent’s liability to the class. However, the administrative law judge shall not initially consider other class issues unless it is determined that such consideration will not cause undue delay to the completion of the hearing.

(5) Final Orders; Relief; Remand. Upon consideration of a recommended order, the Commission or Panel may order that the petition and complaint be dismissed or may determine that an unlawful employment practice has occurred. In the event the Commission or Panel determines that an unlawful employment practice has occurred, it shall issue an order prohibiting the practice and providing relief from the effects of the practice. If the Commission or Panel finds that the proceeding is properly maintained as a class proceeding, the order of the Commission or Panel may direct a remand to the administrative law judge of any class issue which the Commission or Panel has not determined. The order of the Commission or Panel shall constitute final agency action as to all matters except those which are remanded to the administrative law judge.

(6) Proceedings After Remand. An order of remand, pursuant to subsection (5), or a subsequent order of the administrative law judge, may direct that notice of pendency of the proceeding be served upon members of the class. Such an order shall specify the manner of service of the notice and the person responsible for service. Any member of the class who does not, within 15 days of service of the notice of pendency or within such other time as the order may provide, file with the Commission an election of non- participation in the class shall be bound by an order of the Commission or Panel made subsequent to the giving of such notice.

(7) Voluntary Dismissal. A Petition for Relief may be dismissed by the Petitioner without order of the administrative law judge, Panel of Commissioners or Commission (i) by serving, or during hearing by stating on the record, a notice of dismissal at any time before the issuance of a recommended order or (ii) by filing a stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties who have appeared in the action. The dismissal operates with prejudice with respect to Petitioner’s Chapter 760, F.S., administrative remedies and constitutes final agency action.

Rulemaking Authority 760.06(132) FS. Law Implemented 760.06, 760.10 FS. History–New 11-2-78, Amended 2-4-82, 6-16-83, 8-29-84, 8-12-85, Formerly 22T-9.08, 22T-9.008, Amended 2-5-04, Amended xx-xx-xx.