(a) Except as otherwise set by subsection (b) below, a complaint must be filed no later than 365 days after the alleged violation. The person against whom a complaint is made shall be given a copy thereof within 10 days after it is filed, and shall be allowed to be present and offer a defense at any hearing thereon. Any person who files a complaint or against whom a complaint is made may be represented by counsel at any stage of conciliation, investigation, or hearing on the complaint. The filing of a complaint pursuant to this section does not bar any person from seeking any other remedy that may be provided by law, except that in certain instances one or more intergovernmental agreements may specify before which governmental agency or court a person may pursue the complaint. If the Commission concludes, based on objective facts, that a complaint filed pursuant to this section is clearly frivolous, clearly vexatious, or brought primarily for purposes of harassment, the Commission is authorized to impose a fine on the complainant of not less than $250.00 and up to $1,000.00 for each such filing.
(b) In cases of sexual harassment, the Commission may delay the issuance of a complaint to the respondent up to 30 days after it is filed.
(Added Coun. J. 4-27-22, p. 46382, § 6)