Under the Washington State Administrative Code (hereinafter, “WAC”), what are the Washington State Human Rights Commission (hereinafter, “WSHRC”) regulations concerning general-provisions definitions? Here’s my point of view.
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WSHRC: GENERAL PROVISIONS: DEFINITIONS
The WSHRC General Provisions definitions fall under WAC 162-04-010. Definitions aren’t just technicalities—they shape how the Washington State Human Rights Commission applies the law. A clear, shared understanding of terms like “complaint,” “respondent,” or “discrimination” ensures consistency, fairness, and transparency in legal proceedings. Without these definitions, the intent of the law could be misunderstood, misapplied, or challenged. In short, definitions provide the legal “language map” that keeps everything on course.
Accordingly, WAC 162-04-010 defines the following terms, as follows:
In general, words are used with this title* in the same meaning as they are used in the law against discrimination, chapter 49.60* RCW. See, in particular, RCW 49.60.040*. The following words are used with the meaning given, unless the context clearly indicates another meaning.
“Administrative Procedure Act” means chapter 34.05* RCW.
“Age” means between forty and seventy years of age.
“Chairperson” means the chairperson of the commission. The word “chairperson” is used in the place of “chairman” where that word appears in the law against discrimination. The chairperson of the commission is the member of the commission designated as chairman by the governor under RCW 49.60.050*.
“Civil rule” or “CR” means the superior court civil rules as now or hereafter amended.
“Clerk” means the clerk of the commission appointed pursuant to WAC 162-04-026*.
“Commission” means the Washington state human rights commission.
“Complainant” means a person who has filed a complaint under authority of RCW 49.60.230*.
“Complaint” means a formal complaint filed with the commission pursuant to RCW 49.60.230* and these rules.
“Executive director” means the executive director of the commission appointed pursuant to RCW 49.60.120(1)*.
“Handicap” [sic] is short for the phrase “the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical handicap [sic]” used in the law against discrimination, and means the full phrase. See WAC 162-22-040*.
“Law against discrimination” means chapter 49.60* RCW.
“Marital status” refers to the legal status of being married, single, divorced, or widowed.
“Member” means a member of the commission, except where the context indicates another meaning is intended.
“Protected class” means the persons who are members of (or who are treated as members of) one of the groups against whom discrimination is declared to be an unfair practice by the law against discrimination. Protected classes include persons between the ages of forty and seventy, persons of any race, creed, color, national origin, sex, or marital status, and persons who are handicapped [sic].
“Respondent” means one against whom a complaint has been filed under authority of RCW 49.60.230*.
WAC 162-04-010* (emphasis added).
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We invite you to read more of our articles related to this topic:
» WA State Human Rights Commission Complaints
» WA State Human Rights Commission: Functions, Powers, and Duties
» WSHRC: From Complaint to Conclusion
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