Under the ordinance, an individual who claims to have been discriminated against in violation of the ordinance may file a complaint, made under oath or affirmation, on a form prescribed by the City within ninety (90) calendar days after an alleged unlawful practice has occurred.
If the complaint is within the jurisdiction of a federal or state agency, the complainant will simply be referred to the appropriate federal or state agency. For example, the City will refer persons with employment complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), and refer persons with housing complaints to the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
For those complaints that are protected under the ordinance and cannot be referred to another jurisdiction, the City has established a process to investigate the complaint, including notifying the respondent (accused), advising them on their procedural rights and obligations, and allowing them to file a response to the complaint. The City plans to use a contracted third party to conduct the investigation, which may include reviewing statements, conducting interviews, or contacting any witnesses.
If during or after the investigation, it is determined that there is reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred, the City will attempt to resolve the complaint between the parties through a third-party conciliation process.