(a) A party to a written complaint of prohibited discrimination may appeal the action taken by the governing board of a community college district or the president of a campus of the California State University, pursuant to this article, to the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges or the Chancellor of the California State University, as applicable.

(b) Persons who have filed a complaint, pursuant to this chapter, with an educational institution shall be advised by the educational institution that civil law remedies, including, but not limited to, injunctions, restraining orders, or other remedies or orders, may also be available to complainants. The educational institution shall make this information available by publication in appropriate informational materials.

(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require an exhaustion of the appeal to the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges or to the Chancellor of the California State University pursuant to subdivision (a), before civil law remedies may be purchased.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who alleges that he or she is a victim of discrimination may not seek civil remedies pursuant to this section until at least 90 days have elapsed from the filing of a discrimination complaint with the local educational agency. The 90-day moratorium imposed by this subdivision does not apply to injunctive relief and is applicable only if the local educational agency has appropriately, and in a timely manner, apprised the complainant of his or her right to file a complaint.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 914, Sec. 49. Effective January 1, 1999.)