§2235. Powers and duties of commission

In the enforcement of this Chapter or of Chapter 3-A of Title 23 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, or R.S. 23:664, the commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To maintain an office in Baton Rouge and such other offices within the state as may be deemed necessary.

(2) To meet and exercise its powers within the state.

(3) To appoint an executive director, attorneys, hearing examiners, clerks, and other employees and agents as it may deem necessary, to fix their compensation with the approval of the governor, and to delegate any of its functions and duties to its agents or employees in the interest of efficient management of the appropriations and resources of the agency.

(4) To promote the creation of local commissions on human rights, to cooperate with state, local, and other agencies, both public and private, and individuals, and to obtain upon request and utilize the services of all governmental departments and agencies.

(5) To enter into cooperative working agreements with local commissions which have enforceable ordinances, orders, or resolutions and professional staff.

(6) To cooperate with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission created by Section 705 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, compiled in 42 U.S.C.§2000e-4, in order to achieve the purpose of that Act, and with other federal and local agencies in order to achieve the purposes of this Chapter.

(7) To accept and disburse gifts and bequests, grants, or other payments, public or private, to help finance its activities.

(8) To accept reimbursement pursuant to Section 709(b) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, compiled in 42 U.S.C. §2000e-8, for services rendered to assist the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

(9) To receive, initiate, investigate, seek to conciliate, hold hearings on, and pass upon complaints alleging violations of this Chapter or Chapter 3-A or Chapter 6-A of Title 23 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

(10) To require answers to interrogatories, compel the attendance of witnesses, examine witnesses under oath or affirmation in person or by deposition, and require the production of documents relevant to the complaint. The commission may make rules authorizing or designating any member or individual to exercise these powers in the performance of official duties.

(11) To furnish technical assistance requested by persons subject to this Chapter to further their compliance with this Chapter or an order issued thereunder.

(12) To make studies appropriate to effectuate the purposes and policies of this Chapter and make the results thereof available to the public.

(13) To render, at least annually, a comprehensive written report to the governor and to the legislature. The report may contain recommendations of the commission for legislative or other action to effectuate the purposes and policies of this Chapter.

(14) To adopt, promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Chapter, including regulations requiring the posting of notices prepared or approved by the commission.

(15) To cooperate with community, professional, civic, and religious organizations, federal agencies, and agencies from other states in the development of public information programs, leadership, and activities in the interest of equal opportunity and treatment of all individuals.

(16) To create local or statewide advisory committees that in its judgment will aid in effectuating the purposes of this Chapter. Members of such committees shall serve without pay but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in such service. The commission may make provision for technical and clerical assistance to the committees. The commission may empower these committees:

(a) To study and report on problems of discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.

(b) To foster, through community effort or otherwise, goodwill among the groups and elements of the population of the state.

(c) To make recommendations to the commission for the development of policies and practices that will aid in carrying out the purposes of this Chapter.

Acts 1988, No. 886, §1; Acts 1993, No. 820, §9; Acts 1997, No. 1409, §3, eff. Aug. 1, 1997; Acts 2014, No. 702, §2; Acts 2014, No. 756, §1.