§ 28-5-18. Complaint and notice of hearing. (a) If the commission fails to effect the elimination of the unlawful employment practices and to obtain voluntary compliance with this chapter, or, if the circumstances warrant, in advance of any preliminary investigation or endeavors, the commission shall have the power to issue and cause to be served on any person or respondent a complaint stating the charges in that respect and containing a notice of hearing before the commission, a member of the commission, or a hearing examiner at a place fixed in the complaint to be held not less than ten (10) days after the service of the complaint.

(b) Any complaint issued pursuant to this section must be issued within two (2) years after a signed and notarized charge has been filed with the Commission pursuant to § 28-5-17.

(c) No proceeding which was pending under this chapter on April 5, 1996 shall be subject to dismissal on the basis of the Commission's failure to issue a complaint within one year after the alleged unfair employment practice occurred or has been applied to affect adversely the person aggrieved, where that charge was filed with the Commission within one year after the alleged unfair employment practice occurred or has been applied to affect adversely the person aggrieved, whichever is later, and the respondent had agreed to extend or waive the one year period of limitations.

History of Section. (P.L. 1949, ch. 2181, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 28-5-18; P.L. 1991, ch. 135, § 2; P.L. 1991, ch. 343, § 2; P.L. 1996, ch. 159, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 362, § 1.)