Wash. Rev. Code » Title 49 · Chapter 49.60

Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60.120

Certain powers and duties of commission

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The commission shall have the functions, powers, and duties:
(1) To appoint an executive director and chief examiner, and such investigators, examiners, clerks, and other employees and agents as it may deem necessary, fix their compensation within the limitations provided by law, and prescribe their duties.
(2) To obtain upon request and utilize the services of all governmental departments and agencies.
(3) To 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.
(4) To receive, impartially investigate, and pass upon complaints alleging unfair practices as defined in this chapter.
(5) To issue such publications and results of investigations and research as in its judgment will tend to promote good will and minimize or eliminate discrimination because of sex, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
(6) To make such technical studies as are appropriate to effectuate the purposes and policies of this chapter and to publish and distribute the reports of such studies.
(7) To cooperate and act jointly or by division of labor with the United States or other states, with other Washington state agencies, commissions, and other government entities, and with political subdivisions of the state of Washington and their respective human rights agencies to carry out the purposes of this chapter. However, the powers which may be exercised by the commission under this subsection permit investigations and complaint dispositions only if the investigations are designed to reveal, or the complaint deals only with, allegations which, if proven, would constitute unfair practices under this chapter. The commission may perform such services for these agencies and be reimbursed therefor.
(8) To foster good relations between minority and majority population groups of the state through seminars, conferences, educational programs, and other intergroup relations activities.
[ 2020 c 52 s 5; 2007 c 187 s 5; 2006 c 4 s 5; 1997 c 271 s 4. Prior: 1993 c 510 s 6; 1993 c 69 s 4; 1985 c 185 s 10; 1973 1st ex.s. c 214 s 4; 1973 c 141 s 7; 1971 ex.s. c 81 s 1; 1957 c 37 s 7; 1955 c 270 s 8; prior: 1949 c 183 s 6, part; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 7614-25, part.]

Notes:

Severability—1993 c 510: See note following RCW 49.60.010.
Severability—1993 c 69: See note following RCW 49.60.030.
Effective date—1971 ex.s. c 81: "The effective date of this act shall be July 1, 1971." [ 1971 ex.s. c 81 s 6.]
Human rights commission to investigate unlawful use of refueling services for individuals with disabilities: RCW 49.60.360.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 44 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1961–2025 · leading case: Griffin v. Eller
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Griffin v. Eller (1996) wash · cites it 13× “The 1949 version of what is now RCW 49.60.120 empowered the Board to determine "complaints alleging discrimination,” rather than unfair practices in employment, however.”
Washington Water Power Co. v. Washington State Human Rights Commission (1978) wash · cites it 6× “110) and the promulgation of rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the chapter and the policies and practices of the board in connection therewith (RCW 49.60.120(3)). The legislature gave the commission power to create advisory agencies and conciliation councils…”
MacDonald v. Grace Church Seattle (2006) ca9 · cites it 3× “” Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60.120 (4) (emphasis added).”
Marquis v. City of Spokane (1996) wash · cites it 3× “60, pertains to a cause of actio'n for an independent contractor.”
> FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES, TENINO AERIE NO. 564 v. Grand Aerie of Fraternal Order of Eagles (2002) wash · cites it 2× “[39] RCW 49.60.120(3); See Phillips v. City of Seattle, 111 Wash.”
McClarty v. Totem Elec. (2006) wash · cites it 2× “Similarly, at oral argument, neither party expressed (or was ever even asked to express) an opinion as to the appropriateness of substituting the ADA definition for the definition that the legislature, in RCW 49.60.120(3), authorized the Washington State Human Rights Commission…”
Hegwine v. Longview Fibre Co. (2007) wash · cites it 2× “RCW 49.60.120(3). Pursuant to this grant of legislative authority, the commission adopted WAC 162-30-020, which provides that discrimination because of pregnancy is a form of sex discrimination and states that the rule “explains how the law applies to employment practices that…”
Fraternal Order of Eagles, Tenino Aerie No. 564 v. Grand Aerie of Fraternal Order of Eagles (2002) wash · cites it 2× “RCW 49.60.120(3); see Phillips v. City of Seattle, 111 Wn.”
Hegwine v. Longview Fibre Co., Inc. (2006) washctapp · cites it 2× “Pursuant to authority delegated by the legislature in RCW 49.60.120(3) to carry out WLAD's provisions, WHRC defines "pregnancy" and "pregnancy related conditions" under chapter 162-30 WAC, entitled "Sex Discrimination.”
Human Rights Commission v. Cheney School District No. 30 (1982) wash · cites it 2× “By enacting RCW 49.60.120, the Legislature intended that the Commission, as distinguished from a hearing tribunal, should identify discriminatory practices and endeavor to eliminate them by means other than adversary proceedings.”
Dean v. Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (1985) wash · cites it 2× “However, it is not authorized by the statute, RCW 49.60.120(3) and .180(3). The regulation is beyond the authority granted the Commission.”
Hill v. BCTI Income Fund-I (2001) wash “While the Legislature did not define “disability,” 17 it authorized the Human Rights Commission in RCW 49.60.120(3) to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the statute’s provisions.”
Show all 44 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60.120(3) — 31 cases
McClarty v. Totem Elec. (2006) wash “Similarly, at oral argument, neither party expressed (or was ever even asked to express) an opinion as to the appropriateness of substituting the ADA definition for the definition that the legislature, in RCW 49.60.120(3), authorized the Washington State Human Rights Commission…”
Hegwine v. Longview Fibre Co. (2007) wash “RCW 49.60.120(3). Pursuant to this grant of legislative authority, the commission adopted WAC 162-30-020, which provides that discrimination because of pregnancy is a form of sex discrimination and states that the rule “explains how the law applies to employment practices that…”
Hegwine v. Longview Fibre Co., Inc. (2006) washctapp “Pursuant to authority delegated by the legislature in RCW 49.60.120(3) to carry out WLAD's provisions, WHRC defines "pregnancy" and "pregnancy related conditions" under chapter 162-30 WAC, entitled "Sex Discrimination.”
Dean v. Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (1985) wash “However, it is not authorized by the statute, RCW 49.60.120(3) and .180(3). The regulation is beyond the authority granted the Commission.”
Washington Water Power Co. v. Washington State Human Rights Commission (1978) wash “110) and the promulgation of rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the chapter and the policies and practices of the board in connection therewith (RCW 49.60.120(3)). The legislature gave the commission power to create advisory agencies and conciliation councils…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60.120(4) — 14 cases
Griffin v. Eller (1996) wash “The 1949 version of what is now RCW 49.60.120 empowered the Board to determine "complaints alleging discrimination,” rather than unfair practices in employment, however.”
Washington Water Power Co. v. Washington State Human Rights Commission (1978) wash “110) and the promulgation of rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the chapter and the policies and practices of the board in connection therewith (RCW 49.60.120(3)). The legislature gave the commission power to create advisory agencies and conciliation councils…”
Marquis v. City of Spokane (1996) wash “60, pertains to a cause of actio'n for an independent contractor.”
> FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES, TENINO AERIE NO. 564 v. Grand Aerie of Fraternal Order of Eagles (2002) wash “[39] RCW 49.60.120(3); See Phillips v. City of Seattle, 111 Wash.”
Fraternal Order of Eagles, Tenino Aerie No. 564 v. Grand Aerie of Fraternal Order of Eagles (2002) wash “RCW 49.60.120(3); see Phillips v. City of Seattle, 111 Wn.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60.120(5) — 2 cases
Griffin v. Eller (1996) wash “The 1949 version of what is now RCW 49.60.120 empowered the Board to determine "complaints alleging discrimination,” rather than unfair practices in employment, however.”
Griffin v. Eller (1996) wash
— Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60.120(7) — 1 case
MacDonald v. Grace Church Seattle (2006) ca9 “” Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60.120 (4) (emphasis added).”
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