(A) The authority and responsibility for properly administering this chapter and referral of complaints hereunder to the Commission as set forth in division (B) below shall be vested in the chief executive officer and/or Town Manager.
(B) A complaint concerning an alleged discriminatory housing practice must be:
(1) In writing;
(2) Under oath; and
(3) Addressed to the chief executive officer and/or Town Manager;
(C) An aggrieved person may, not later than one year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred or terminated, whichever is later, file a complaint with the Commission (as delineated in division (D) below) alleging the discriminatory housing practice.
(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of I.C. 22-9.5-4-8, the town, because of a lack of financial and other resources necessary to fully administer enforcement proceedings and possible civil actions under this chapter, herein elects to refer all formal complaints of violation of the sections of this chapter by complainants to the State Civil Rights Commission (“Commission”) for administrative enforcement actions pursuant to I.C. 22-9.5-6; the chief elected officer of the town, shall refer all said complaints to the Commission as provided for under division (A) above to said Commission for purposes of investigation, resolution and appropriate relief as provided for under I.C. 22-9.5-6.
(E) Not later than one year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred or terminated, whichever is later, the Commission may file the Commission’s own complaint.
(F) A complaint under this section may be amended at any time.
(G) When a complaint if filed under this section, the town shall do the following:
(1) Give the aggrieved person notice that the complaint have been received;
(2) Advise the aggrieved person of the time limit and choice of forums under this section;
(3) The chief executive officer of the town, or the chief executive officer’s designee, shall provide information on remedies available to any aggrieved person or complainant requesting such information;
(4) Not later than 20 days after filing of the complaint or the identification of an additional respondent under this section, serve on each respondent:
(a) A notice identifying the alleged discriminatory practice and advising the respondent of the procedural rights and obligations of a respondent under this section; and
(b) A copy of the original complaint.
(H) All executive departments and agencies of the town, shall administer their departments, programs and activities relating to housing and urban development in a manner affirmatively to further the purposes of this chapter, and shall cooperate with the chief executive officer and the Commission to further such purposes.
(Ord. 1998-3, passed 3-23-1998)