S-1365               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5649

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senators Lee and Smitherman

Read first time 1/31/89 and referred to Committee on   Governmental Operations.

AN ACT Relating to complaints filed with the human rights commission; amending RCW 49.60.230; and adding a new section to chapter 4.16 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 4.16 RCW to read as follows:

          The time that lapses between the filing of a complaint under chapter 49.60 RCW and final disposition by the human rights commission shall not be counted in determining the statutory time limitation for commencement of an action by the person who filed the complaint if the action is based on the same events that gave rise to the complaint.

        Sec. 2.  Section 15, chapter 270, Laws of 1955 as last amended by section 21, chapter 185, Laws of 1985 and RCW 49.60.230 are each amended to read as follows:

          Who may file a complaint:

          (1) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged unfair practice may, personally or by his or her attorney, make, sign, and file with the commission a complaint in writing under oath.  The complaint shall state the name and address of the person alleged to have committed the unfair practice and the particulars thereof, and contain such other information as may be required by the commission.

          (2) Whenever it has reason to believe that any person has been engaged or is engaging in an unfair practice, the commission may issue a complaint.

          (3) Any employer or principal whose employees, or agents, or any of them, refuse or threaten to refuse to comply with the provisions of this chapter may file with the commission a written complaint under oath asking for assistance by conciliation or other remedial action.

          Any complaint filed pursuant to this section must be so filed within six months after the alleged act of discrimination.

The time that lapses between the filing of a complaint under this section and final disposition by the commission shall not be counted in determining the statutory time limitation for commencement of an action by the person who filed the complaint if the action is based on the same events that gave rise to the complaint.