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.
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.
Complaints
shall be investigated and conciliated or mediated by individuals who
have been approved by the Commission and trained in investigation,
conciliation and mediation.
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.
If
such efforts fail to eliminate the alleged discriminatory practice
or practices, the complainant shall be referred to the Missouri Commission
on Human Rights.
No
prosecution for a violation of any provision of this Chapter 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.
The
period of limitation for any violation of this Chapter 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 Chapter shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation and shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided in Section 100.150 of this Code.