28 C.F.R. § 39.170 Compliance Procedures
Library | Code of Federal Regulations |
Edition | 2023 |
Currency | Current through November 30, 2023 |
Citation | 28 C.F.R. § 39.170 |
Year | 2023 |
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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(1)
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(2)
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(3)
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(4)
(e)
(f)
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(1) The Official shall accept a complete
complaint that is filed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section and
over which the agency has jurisdiction. The Official shall notify the
complainant and the respondent of receipt and acceptance of the
complaint.
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(2) If the Official
receives a complaint that is not complete, he or she shall notify the
complainant, within 30 days of receipt of the incomplete complaint, that
additional information is needed. If the complainant fails to complete the
complaint within 30 days of receipt of this notice, the Official shall dismiss
the complaint without prejudice.
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(3) If the Official receives a complaint over
which the agency does not have jurisdiction, the Official shall promptly notify
the complainant and shall make reasonable efforts to refer the complaint to the
appropriate Government entity.
(g)
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(1) Within 180 days of the receipt of a
complete complaint, the Official shall complete the investigation of the
complaint, attempt informal resolution, and, if no informal resolution is
achieved, issue a letter of findings.
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(2) The Official may require agency employees
to cooperate in the investigation and attempted resolution of complaints
Employees who are required by the Official to participate in any investigation
under this section shall do so as part of their official duties and during the
course of regular duty hours.
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(3)
The Official shall furnish the complainant and the respondent a copy of the
investigative report promptly after receiving it from the investigator and
provide the complainant and respondent with an opportunity for informal
resolution of the complaint.
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(4) If
a complaint is resolved informally, the terms of the agreement shall be reduced
to writing and made part of the complaint file, with a copy of the agreement
provided to the complainant and respondent. The written agreement may include a
finding on the issue of discrimination and shall describe any corrective action
to which the complainant and respondent have agreed.
(h)
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(1) Findings of fact and conclusions of
law;
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(2) A description of a remedy
for each violation found;
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(3) A
notice of the right of the complainant and respondent to appeal to the
Complaint Adjudication Officer; and
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(4) A notice of the right of the complainant
and respondent to request a hearing.
(i)
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(1) Notice of appeal to the Complaint
Adjudication Officer, with or without a request for hearing, shall be filed by
the complainant or the respondent with the Responsible Official within 30 days
of receipt from the Official of the letter required by paragraph (h) of this
section.
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(2) If a timely appeal
without a request for hearing is filed by a party, any other party may file a
written request for hearing within the time limit specified in paragraph (i)(1)
of this section or within 10 days of the date on which the first timely appeal
without a request for hearing was filed, whichever is later.
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(3) If no party requests a hearing, the
Responsible Official shall promptly transmit the notice of appeal and
investigative record to the Complaint Adjudication Officer.
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(4) If neither party files an appeal within
the time prescribed in paragraph (i)(1) of this section, the Responsible
Official shall certify that the letter of findings is the final agency decision
on the complaint at the expiration of that time.
(j)
(k)
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(1) Upon a timely request for a hearing, the
Responsible Official shall appoint an administrative law judge to conduct the
hearing. The administrative law judge shall issue a notice to all parties
specifying the date, time, and place of the scheduled hearing. The hearing
shall be commenced no earlier than 15 days after the notice is issued and no
later than 60 days after the request for a hearing is filed, unless all parties
agree to a different date.
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(2) The
complainant and respondent shall be parties to the hearing. Any interested
person or organization may petition to become a party or amicus curiae. The
administrative law judge may, in his or her discretion, grant such a petition
if, in his or her opinion, the petitioner has a legitimate interest in the
proceedings and the participation will not unduly delay the outcome and may
contribute materially to the proper disposition of the proceedings.
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(3) The hearing, decision, and any
administrative review thereof shall be conducted in conformity with
5 U.S.C
- 554 (sections 5-8 of the
Administrative Procedure Act). The administrative law judge shall have the duty
to conduct a fair hearing, to take all necessary action to avoid delay, and to
maintain order. He or she shall have all powers necessary to these ends
including (but not limited to) the power to-
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