Certification of File

WSHRC: Certification of File


by Gregory Williams, Esq. | Under Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) Practice-and-Procedure Regulations, what are the rules concerning certification of file? Here’s my point of view (NOTE: please read our DISCLAIMER before proceeding).

THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY (RCW)

RCW 49.60.120(3) is the statutory authority enabling the WSHRC to adopt rules concerning certification of file. See WAC 162-08-190, WA State Legislature Website (bottom of page body). The statute declares that the WSHRC has “the function[ ], power[ ], and dut[y] … [t]o adopt, amend, and rescind suitable rules to carry out the provisions of this chapter, and the policies and practices of the commission in connection therewith.” RCW 49.60.120(3) (hyperlinks added).

CERTIFICATION OF FILE

WAC 162-08-190 is the relevant regulation, and it addresses certification of file as follows:

(1) General. Certification of the file to the chairperson as provided in RCW 49.60.250 in case of failure to reach an agreement under RCW 49.60.240 for the elimination of an unfair practice shall be done in the manner provided in this section.

(2) Who certifies. Certification shall be done by the clerk.

(3) Form of certificate. The certificate shall be in writing and dated and signed by the clerk and shall be in substantially the following form: “I certify that the attached is the entire file, including the complaint and all findings made, of the Washington state human rights commission staff for the complaint included in the file.”

(4) Custody of file. The certified file, including the certificate, shall be held in the custody of the clerk, who shall see that it is available for use by the chairperson of the commission and counsel for the commission, and for examination and copying by others.

WAC 162-08-190 (emphasis added) (hyperlinks added).

LEARN MORE

If you would like to learn more, then consider contacting an experienced Washington State Employment Discrimination Attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case. Please note: the information contained in this article is not offered as legal advice and will not form an attorney-client relationship with Law Office of Gregory A. Williams, P.S., Inc.; Williams Law Group, PS; or the author of this article. Please see our DISCLAIMER.

–gw

Author: Gregory Williams, Esq.

Juris Doctor. Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Federal Claims; U.S. District Court Western District of WA; and all Washington State Courts. Member of the Federal Bar Association; Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association; WA Association for Justice; WA Defender Association; WA State Bar Association. Conflict Panel Attorney (Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel).