For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
BLOCKBUSTING
The practice of inducing owners of property to sell because of the
actual or rumored advent into the neighborhood of a member of a racial, religious
or ethnic group.
PERSON
Includes natural persons, partnerships, corporations, associations
or other legal entities.
Any person claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory or unfair practice
may, within 60 days of the last act complained of, personally or by his attorney
at law, either file a complaint with the Municipal Court and/or file a verified
complaint with the Human Rights Commission of the Township, setting forth
the name and address of the person(s) charged with the offense, the particulars
thereof and such other information as may be required. It shall be a condition
precedent that in order to avail oneself of the complaint procedure herein
set forth, such complaint must be filed within 60 days of the last act forming
the basis for the complaint. In the event that a complaint is filed with the
Human Rights Commission, then:
A. The Human Rights Commission shall cause a prompt investigation
to be made of the charges.
B. If the Human Rights Commission shall determine that no
probable cause exists, it shall, within 10 days thereafter, give written notice
of its determination to the principals involved.
C. If the Human Rights Commission determines that probable
cause does exist, it shall endeavor to eliminate the unlawful discrimination
by conference or conciliation or advise the complainant to file a complaint
with the Municipal Court. Such complaint must be filed forthwith and under
no circumstances later than seven days after the Human Rights Commission advises
the filing of such complaint.
Nothing herein contained shall prevent any person from instituting proceedings
before any commission or state agency to seek other redress under the applicable
existing laws of the state.