D.C. Code tit. 2, ch. 14 § 2-1403.06
Conciliation.
Operative Text
(a) If, in the judgment of the Office, the circumstances so warrant, it may, at any time after the filing of the complaint, endeavor to eliminate such unlawful discriminatory practice by conference, conciliation, or persuasion. (b) If the Office determines that there exists probable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged or is engaging in an unlawful practice, the parties shall attempt to conciliate the complaint. The Office shall grant the parties up to 60 days within which to reach a conciliation agreement. If the parties fail to execute a conciliation agreement within the time allowed by the Office, the Office shall certify the case to the Commission for a public hearing. The terms of a conciliation agreement may require a respondent to refrain, in the future, from committing specified discriminatory practices, and to take such affirmative action as, in the judgment of the Office, will effectuate the purposes of this chapter; and may include consent, by the respondent, to the entry in court of a consent decree, embodying the terms of the conciliation agreement. (c) Upon agreement of all parties to a complaint and upon notice to all parties thereto, a conciliation agreement shall be deemed an order of the Commission, and shall be enforceable as such. Except for the terms of the conciliation agreement, employees of the Office shall not make public, without the written consent of the respondent, information concerning conciliation efforts. (d) Repealed. (e) The Office shall make public, unless the complainant and respondent agree otherwise and the Director determines that disclosure is not required to further the purpose of this chapter, conciliation agreements alleging unlawful discrimination in residential real estate transactions or violations of the FHA.
Under D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.06, when a discrimination complaint is filed, the Office of Human Rights may attempt to resolve it through informal conference or conciliation before the matter proceeds to a public hearing. If probable cause is found, both parties have up to 60 days to reach a conciliation agreement; if no agreement is reached, the case moves to the Commission on Human Rights for a formal hearing. A finalized conciliation agreement carries the force of a Commission order and is legally enforceable, while the details of conciliation discussions generally remain confidential—though agreements involving residential real estate or Fair Housing Act violations may be made public.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers named as respondents in a discrimination complaint should understand that D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.06 establishes a structured conciliation window of up to 60 days once probable cause is determined. Operators who participate in good faith during this period may reach a binding agreement that specifies future conduct and avoids a public Commission hearing. Because conciliation agreements in residential real estate or Fair Housing Act matters may be disclosed publicly under this provision, compliant operators typically document their fair-housing policies and practices carefully throughout the process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who have filed a discrimination complaint should know that D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.06 gives the Office of Human Rights authority to pursue informal resolution through conciliation, and if probable cause is found, both sides have up to 60 days to negotiate a binding agreement. If conciliation fails, the Office certifies the case to the Commission on Human Rights for a public hearing, preserving the complainant's ability to pursue the matter formally. Tenants seeking to understand their rights and options during this process may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with D.C. human rights law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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