213.020. Commission on human rights created--members, how appointed, terms, vacancies, how filled--functions--local commissions, power and authority. - Missouri Statutes

Commission on human rights created--members, how appointed, terms,vacancies, how filled--functions--local commissions, power andauthority.

213.020. 1. There is hereby created a "Missouri Commission on HumanRights". It shall consist of eleven members, with no less than one fromeach of the congressional districts of this state, serving withoutcompensation, to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consentof the senate. One of the members shall be appointed chairperson by thegovernor. Appointments to the commission shall be for a term of six years.No more than six members at any one time shall be members of the samepolitical party. In the event of the death or resignation of any member,his successor shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired period of theterm for which such member had been appointed.

2. The function of the commission shall be to encourage fairtreatment for and to foster mutual understanding and respect among, and todiscourage discrimination against, any racial, ethnic, religious or othergroup protected by this chapter, members of these groups or persons withdisabilities.

3. Any local commission created and established prior to August 13,1986, by an ordinance adopted by the governing body of any city,constitutional charter city, town, village, or county, shall have the powerand authority to seek to eliminate and prevent discrimination inemployment, housing, and public accommodation, and to establish relatedprograms, which shall be certified by the commission as substantiallyequivalent. The power and authority of such commissions to initiate andpursue administrative proceedings and remedies shall be solely as providedin section 213.135.

(L. 1959 H.B. 266 §§ 2, 3, A.L. 1986 S.B. 513, A.L. 1992 H.B. 1619, A.L. 1998 S.B. 786)

(1990) Nothing in subsection 3 of this statute gives cities, towns, villages or counties the power to create a cause of action for the violation of an anti-discrimination ordinance. Failure of legislature to include an express grant of power to determine violations and make awards establishes its intent that such power is not included. Yellow Freight Systems, Inc. v. Mayor's Commission on Human Rights of the City of Springfield, 791 S.W.2d 382 (Mo. en banc).