KRS 344.190: Additional powers and duties.

In the enforcement of this chapter, the Commission on Human Rights shall have the

following powers and duties:

(1) To maintain an office in the city of Louisville and other offices within the state as

may be deemed necessary.

(2) To meet and exercise its powers at any place within the Commonwealth.

(3) Within the limitations provided by law, to appoint an executive director, attorneys,

hearing examiners, clerks, and other employees and agents as it may deem

necessary. At the direction of the commission, att orneys appointed under this

section may appear for and represent the commission in any court. The commission

may, by written order, delegate the authority given by this subsection to its

executive director, except as that authority relates to the appointme nt of its

executive director.

(4) To promote the creation of local commissions on human rights, to cooperate with

state, local, and other agencies, both public and private, and individuals, and to

obtain upon request and utilize the services of all governm ental departments and

agencies.

(5) To cooperate with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,

created by Section 705 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 241), in order to

achieve the purposes of that act, and with other federal and local agencies in order

to achieve the purposes of that act, and with other federal and local agencies in

order to achieve the purposes of this chapter.

(6) To accept gifts or bequests, grants, or other payments, public or private, to help

finance its activities.

(7) To accept reimbursement pursuant to Section 709(b) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

(78 Stat. 241) for services rendered to assist the Federal Equal Employment

Opportunity Commission.

(8) To receive, initiate, investigate, seek to conciliate, h old hearings on, and pass upon

complaints alleging violations of this chapter.

(9) At any time after a complaint is filed, to require answers to interrogatories, compel

the attendance of witnesses, examine witnesses under oath or affirmation in person

or by deposition, and require the production of documents relevant to the complaint.

The commission may make rules authorizing any member or individual designated

to exercise these powers in the performance of official duties.

(10) To furnish technical assista nce requested by persons subject to this chapter to

further their compliance with this chapter or an order issued thereunder.

(11) To make studies appropriate to effectuate the purposes and policies of this chapter

and to make the results thereof available to the public.

(12) To render annual written reports to the Governor and the Legislature. The reports

may contain recommendations of the commission for legislative or other action to

effectuate the purposes and policies of this chapter.

(13) To create loc al or statewide advisory agencies that in its judgment will aid in

effectuating the purpose of this chapter. The commission may empower these

agencies (a) to study and report on problems of discrimination because of race,

color, religion, or national origi n, (b) to foster, through community effort or

otherwise, goodwill among the groups and elements of the population of the state,

and (c) to make recommendations to the commission for the development of

policies and practices that will aid in carrying out th e purposes of this chapter.

Members of such committees shall serve without pay but shall be reimbursed for

expenses incurred in such service. The commission may make provision for

technical and clerical assistance to the committees.

(14) To adopt, promulgate, amend, and rescind regulations to effectuate the purposes and

provisions of this chapter, including regulations requiring the posting of notices

prepared or approved by the commission.

(15) To purchase liability insurance for the prot ection of all members of the commission

to protect them from liability arising in the course of pursuing their duties as

members of the commission and for all full -time employees to protect them from

liability arising in the course or scope of their employ ment. This insurance shall be

purchased with money contained in the agency appropriated budget.