by Gregory Williams, Esq. | Under Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) Practice-and-Procedure Regulations, what are the rules concerning findings, conclusions, and orders? 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 findings, conclusions, and orders. See WAC 162-08-301, 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).
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND ORDER
WAC 162-08-301 is the relevant regulation, and it addresses rules concerning findings, conclusions, and orders as follows:
(1) Preliminary decision of administrative law judge. In every administrative hearing the administrative law judge shall prepare preliminary findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order in accordance with WAC 10-08-210, which shall be mailed to the parties and their counsel for comments, objections, and proposed corrections.
(2) Final decision of administrative law judge. After the expiration of thirty days from the receipt of comments upon the preliminary decision, the administrative law judge will issue a final decision which is enforceable in accordance with RCW 49.60.260.
WAC 162-08-301 (emphasis added) (hyperlinks added).
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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