(A) The administration and enforcement of this chapter shall be the responsibility of the Louisville/Jefferson County Human Relations Commission - Enforcement, and it shall have full operating responsibility for carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
(B) In addition to any powers or duties heretofore conferred on the Human Relations Commission - Enforcement, it shall have the power and duty to:
(1) Meet and exercise its powers at any place within Jefferson County;
(2) Employ attorneys, hearing examiners, clerks, and other employees and agents, and to appoint and empower committees and divisions to assist in effecting the purposes and provisions of this chapter;
(3) Accept gifts or bequests, grants, or other payments, public or private, to help finance its activities;
(4) Receive, initiate, investigate, seek to conciliate, hold hearings on, and pass on complaints alleging violations of this chapter. By itself or through the Executive Director of the Human Relations Commission - Enforcement ("Executive Director"), the Human Relations Commission - Enforcement may hold public or private hearings, administer oaths, and take the testimony of any person under oath relating to any matter under investigation or in question. If a person against whom a complaint of discriminatory practice is made is notified as hereinafter provided to attend any hearing, public or private, before the Human Relations Commission - Enforcement or the Executive Director, as the case may be, the Human Relations Commission - Enforcement or the Executive Director may proceed to make a determination in such person’s absence;
(5) Compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence before it by subpoena issued by the Jefferson Circuit Court;
(6) Issue remedial orders, after notice and hearing, requiring cessation of violations of this chapter;
(7) Publish or cause to be published conciliation agreements or enforcement agreements. All other records and information shall be confidential except as reasonably necessary to conduct an investigation and proceeding;
(8) Issue such affirmative orders as in the judgment of the Human Relations Commission - Enforcement will carry out the purposes of this chapter. Affirmative action ordered may include, but is not limited to, the remedies enumerated in KRS 344.230(3); and
(a) All other remedies detailed in KRS Chapter 344 and Title VIII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1968 as amended;
(b) Apply to the Jefferson Circuit Court for such temporary or permanent relief as it deems necessary; where such relief is granted, notice of the relief shall be promptly filed in the office of the County Clerk of Jefferson County, Kentucky.
(9) Subject to approval of the Metro Government, 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 Human Relations Commission - Enforcement; and
(10) Receive, initiate as hereinafter provided, investigate, hear or determine charges, and remediate violations of unlawful practices prohibited by this chapter; and
(a) Enter into cooperative working agreements with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) created by Section 705 of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 241) in order to achieve the purpose of that Act; and with any federal or state agency in order to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
(b) In its discretion, or upon request of the Kentucky Commission of Human Rights (the “State Commission”), refer a matter under its jurisdiction to the State Commission for initial action or review.
(c) Refer to the State Commission for resolution a dispute over jurisdiction or other matter with another local commission.
(d) Provide a copy of its annual report to the State Commission.
(11) Institute proceedings in Jefferson Circuit Court for enforcement of the orders of the Human Relations Commission - Enforcement or its Executive Director, including appeal;
(12) Exercise all other applicable powers as provided in the Kentucky Civil Rights Act.
(1994 Jeff. Code, § 92.08) (Jeff. Ord. 36-1999, adopted and effective 10-12-1999) (1999 Lou. Code, § 98.08) (Lou. Ord. No. 0088-2001, 2, approved 8-16-2001; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 129-2003, approved 7-18-2003; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 193-2004, approved 12-10-2004)