D.C. Code tit. 2, ch. 14 § 2-1403.17
Referral to licensing agencies.
Operative Text
(a) Whenever it appears that the holder of a permit, license, franchise, benefit, or advantage issued by any agency or authority of the government of the District is a person against whom the Office has made a finding of probable cause pursuant to § 2-1403.05 , the Office, notwithstanding any other action it may take or may have taken under the authority of the provisions of this chapter, may refer to the proper agency or authority the facts and identities of all persons involved in the complaint for such action as such agency or authority, in its judgment, considers appropriate, based upon the facts thus disclosed to it. (b) The Commission, upon a determination of a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter by a holder of, or applicant for any permit, license, franchise, benefit, exemption, or advantage issued by or on behalf of the government of the District of Columbia, and upon failure of the respondent to correct the unlawful discriminatory practice and comply with its order, in accordance with § 2-1403.15(a) , shall refer this determination to the appropriate agency or authority. Such determination shall constitute prima facie evidence that the respondent, with respect to the particular business in which the violation was found, is not operating in the public interest. Such agency or authority shall, upon notification, issue to said holder or applicant an order to show cause why such privileges related to that business should not be revoked, suspended, denied or otherwise restricted.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.17 establishes a mechanism by which findings of discrimination can be communicated to the District government agencies that issue permits, licenses, franchises, or other official privileges. When the Office finds probable cause of a violation, it may forward the relevant facts to the licensing authority for whatever action that authority deems appropriate. If the Commission ultimately determines that a violation occurred and the responsible party fails to correct the discriminatory practice, the Commission must refer that determination to the relevant agency, which then treats it as prima facie evidence that the party is not operating in the public interest and must issue a show-cause order regarding potential revocation, suspension, or restriction of the relevant privileges.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.17, property owners and managers who hold District-issued permits, licenses, or other government-granted privileges face the possibility that a discrimination finding by the Office or Commission will be forwarded to the agency that issued those privileges. Compliant operators generally ensure that their business practices conform to the D.C. Human Rights Act so that no probable-cause finding or Commission determination is made against them. A failure to correct a discriminatory practice after a Commission order can trigger a show-cause proceeding that puts the operator's licenses or permits at risk.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.17 gives tenants an additional layer of protection by allowing discrimination findings to ripple into the licensing and permitting system that governs a landlord's ability to operate. If the Office finds probable cause or the Commission determines a violation occurred, those findings can be referred to the agencies that control the landlord's business privileges, potentially threatening the landlord's permits or licenses. Tenants who believe they have experienced unlawful discrimination may consider filing a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights, consulting a tenant-rights organization, or exploring whether the Commission's enforcement process under this provision applies to their situation.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation