10:5-14.3. Delegation of powers by Attorney General; review of findings and conclusions


10:5-14.3.  Delegation of powers by Attorney General;  review of findings and conclusions
    Upon a finding that the public interest may be better served thereby, the Attorney General may delegate to such county or municipal office of civil rights the power to investigate complaints and conduct conciliation conferences, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of P.L.1945, c. 169 (C. 10:5-14), and to proceed in a summary manner in accordance with the provisions of section 6 of P.L.1966, c. 17 (C. 10:5-14.1).  In addition, the Attorney General may delegate to such county or municipal office of civil rights the power to conduct hearings and in connection therewith, the power to subpena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and conduct discovery procedures including the taking of interrogatories and oral depositions.  The findings and conclusions of a county or municipal office resulting from an exercise of the foregoing powers shall not constitute a final administrative decision, but shall be submitted to the Director of the Division on Civil Rights who may rely and act thereupon in accordance with the provisions of section 16 of P.L.1945, c. 169 (C. 10:5-17).  The Attorney General shall establish rules of practice to govern, expedite and effectuate the utilization of the foregoing powers by such county or municipal office.

     L.1977, c. 121, s. 2, eff. June 6, 1977.  Amended by L.1980, c. 87, s. 2, eff.  Aug. 21, 1980.
 
10:5-15.  Notice requiring respondent to answer charges;  place of hearing
    In case of failure so to eliminate such practice or discrimination, or in advance thereof if in his judgment circumstances so warrant, the Attorney General shall cause to be issued and served in the name of the division, a written notice, together with a copy of such complaint, as the same may have been amended, requiring the person, employer, labor organization, employment agency, owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent named in such complaint, hereinafter referred to as respondent, to answer the charges of  such complaint at a hearing before the director at a time and place to be specified in such notice.  The place of any such hearing shall be the office of  the Attorney General or such other place as may be designated by him.

     L.1945, c. 169, p. 595, s. 14.  Amended by L.1949, c. 11, p. 45, s. 10; L.1963, c. 40, s. 9.
 
10:5-16  Practice and procedure.

      15.      When the director has issued a finding of probable cause, the case in support of the complaint shall be presented before the director by the attorney for the division and evidence concerning attempted conciliation shall not be received.  The respondent shall file a written verified answer to the complaint and appear at such hearing in person or by representative, with  or without counsel, and submit testimony. The complainant shall be allowed to intervene and present testimony in person and may be represented by counsel.  The director or the complainant shall have the power reasonably and fairly to amend any complaint, and the respondent shall  have like power to amend his answer.  The director shall not be bound by the strict rules of evidence prevailing in civil actions in courts of competent jurisdiction of this State.  The testimony taken at the hearing shall be under oath and a verbatim record shall be made.  When the director has issued a finding of probable cause in a housing discrimination complaint only, any party to that complaint may elect, in lieu of the administrative proceeding set forth in this section, to have the claim asserted in the finding of probable cause adjudicated in a civil action in Superior Court pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-13).  Such an election shall be made not later than 20 days after receipt of the finding of probable cause.  Upon such election, the attorney for the division shall promptly file such an action in Superior Court.  Upon application to the court wherein the matter is pending, the complainant shall be permitted to intervene and present testimony in person and may be represented by counsel.

      L.1945,c.169,s.15; amended 1963, c.40, s.10; 1979, c.404, s.2; 1980, c.71; 2003, c.180, s.15.