Subdivision 1. Creation; commissioner. There is established a Department of Human Rights under the direction and supervision of a commissioner who shall be appointed by the governor under the provisions of section 15.06.

Subd. 2. Deputy commissioner, duties. There shall be in the department a deputy commissioner, who shall be appointed by the commissioner and shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner. The deputy commissioner shall act for, and exercise the powers of the commissioner during the absence or disability of the commissioner or in the event of a vacancy in the office of commissioner. The deputy commissioner shall perform such functions, powers and duties as the commissioner shall prescribe from time to time.

Subd. 3. Task force, membership, appeals. The commissioner may appoint a Human Rights Advisory Task Force.

Subd. 4. Terms; compensation; removal; vacancies. The expiration, membership terms, compensation, removal of members, and filling of vacancies on the task force shall be as provided in section 15.059.

Subd. 5. Departmental organization. Subject to other provisions of this chapter, the commissioner shall have the powers granted by section 15.06 to organize the department.

Subd. 6. Continuity in operations. In exercising the functions, powers and duties conferred on and transferred to the commissioner by Laws 1967, chapter 897, the commissioner shall give full consideration to the need for operational continuity of the functions transferred.

Subd. 7. Successor agency. The Department of Human Rights under the control of the commissioner of human rights is the successor of the State Commission Against Discrimination as it existed immediately prior to July 1, 1967.

History: 1955 c 516 s 1,6; 1961 c 428 s 6,16; 1965 c 586 s 2; 1967 c 897 s 17,26; 1969 c 975 s 6,7,15,16; 1969 c 1129 art 8 s 14; 1973 c 729 s 4,14,15; 1976 c 134 s 68,69; 1977 c 305 s 38; 1977 c 351 s 11; 1977 c 444 s 17-19; 1980 c 531 s 8; 1983 c 260 s 60,61; 1993 c 22 s 19