This bill proposes amendments to the Code of West Virginia regarding the Human Rights Commission, specifically focusing on the definitions of "employer" and "employee," as well as extending the statute of limitations for filing complaints related to unlawful discriminatory practices. The definition of "employer" is modified to include any person employing two or more individuals for 20 or more calendar weeks in the year of the alleged discrimination or the preceding year, while the term "employee" is clarified to exclude individuals employed by their parents, spouse, or child. Additionally, the bill specifies that the term "discriminatory practices" will now include a broader range of unlawful actions.

Furthermore, the bill extends the time frame for individuals to file complaints from 365 days to three years after the alleged act of discrimination. It also introduces changes to the procedures for handling complaints, including the requirement for the commission to issue written notices and conduct investigations promptly. The commission is tasked with attempting to resolve complaints through conciliation before proceeding to hearings, and it is mandated to provide findings of fact and conclusions of law in its orders. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance the protections against discrimination and streamline the complaint process within the Human Rights Commission framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16B-17-3, 16B-17-10