(a) A person claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory practice, or a member of the commission may file with the commission a written sworn complaint stating that a discriminatory practice has been committed, setting forth the facts sufficient to enable the commission to identify the persons charged, referred to in this part as the respondent. Within ten (10) days after receipt of the complaint, the commission shall serve on the complainant a notice acknowledging the filing of the complaint and informing the complainant of the respondent’s time limits and choice of forums under this chapter.
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 4-21-302

  • Commission: means the Tennessee human rights commission. See Tennessee Code 4-21-102
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Person: includes one (1) or more individuals, governments, governmental agencies, public authorities, labor organizations, corporations, legal representatives, partnerships, associations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, mutual companies, joint stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations or other organized groups of persons. See Tennessee Code 4-21-102
  • written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) The commission staff, or a person designated pursuant to its rules, shall promptly investigate the matter to determine whether the discriminatory practice exists and shall within ten (10) days furnish the respondent with a copy of the complaint and a notice advising the respondent of the respondent’s procedural rights and obligations under this chapter.
(c) The complaint must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the commission of the alleged discriminatory practice.
(d)

(1) The commission staff, or a person designated pursuant to its rules, shall commence an investigation of the complaint within thirty (30) days after the filing of the complaint. The commission staff, or designee, shall promptly investigate the matter to determine whether the discriminatory practice exists.
(2) If it is determined that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the commission shall furnish a copy of the order to the complainant, the respondent, and such public officers and persons as the commission deems proper.
(e)

(1) The complainant, within thirty (30) days after receiving a copy of the order dismissing the complaint, may file with the commission an application for reconsideration of the order.
(2) Upon such application, the commission or an individual designated pursuant to its rules shall make a new determination within thirty (30) days whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice.
(3) If it is determined that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the commission shall issue an order dismissing the complaint after reconsideration, and furnishing a copy of the order to the complainant, the respondent, and such public officers and persons as the commission deems proper.
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