§ 60-6. Hearings on complaints.

A. 

Any complaint of discrimination filed shall be made under oath.

B. 

No finding of a violation of a local code of prohibited discriminatory practices shall be made except after a hearing.

C. 

An affirmative vote of 2/3 of a quorum is required to schedule a hearing. After approval, a hearing date will be issued by the Chairman no later than 45 days from the next scheduled Commission meeting.

D. 

The Commission shall serve as the hearing tribunal, provided that at least five Commissioners are present. At the hearings, the tribunal will administer oaths and hear sworn testimony.

E. 

At any hearing before the Commission, both the complainant and the respondent shall be given reasonable advance written notice of the hearing, shall be allowed to be accompanied by their own counsel and shall be permitted to testify and present and cross-examine witnesses.

F. 

Hearings will be open to the public. A party to the complaint may petition the Commission to seal the proceedings, to be granted at the discretion of the Commission or as may otherwise be required by law.

G. 

The decision resulting from the hearing shall be in writing and shall include written findings of the facts upon which the decision is based. The Commission shall submit a written report to the Mayor setting forth the findings of the tribunal and the Commission's actions and recommendations.

H. 

No statement shall be issued by any Commissioner regarding the hearing or recommendations set forth in the report until the Mayor and all interested parties have received the written report.