Cal. Civ. Code § 213.076
Notice relating to aiding and abetting, civil action — commencement of action — intervention — relief — authority of commission
Operative Text
1. When a written notice of hearing is issued alleging violation of section 213.040, 213.045, 213.050, or 213.070, to the extent that the alleged violation of section 213.070 relates to or involves violation of one or more of such other sections or relates to or involves the encouraging, aiding or abetting of violation of such sections, a complainant or respondent may elect to have the claims asserted in that complaint decided in a civil action under the provisions of this section in lieu of a hearing pursuant to the provisions of section 213.075. Written notice of an election made pursuant to this subsection shall be filed with the commission and all parties within twenty days of the date on which the written notice of hearing is placed in the mail by the commission staff. 2. Where a party has made an election pursuant to the provisions of this section, to have the claims asserted in a written notice issued by the chairperson, decided in a civil action, the chairperson shall immediately direct staff attorneys employed by the commission to commence and maintain a civil action on behalf of the complainant. Such action shall be commenced within thirty days of the election. All expenses of the claimant related to a civil action brought under this section shall be paid by the commission. 3. Any person aggrieved with respect to the issues to be determined in a civil action instituted pursuant to this section may intervene as of right in a civil action. 4. In a civil action instituted pursuant to this section, if the court finds that an unlawful discriminatory practice has occurred or is about to occur, the court may grant all relief as set forth in section 213.111. If monetary relief is sought for benefit of an aggrieved person who is not a party to the civil action, the court shall not award such relief if such person has not complied with discovery orders issued by the court. 5. The commission shall have authority to hire such attorneys as may be necessary to perform duties assigned to it pursuant to this section.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 213.076 establishes an alternative civil-action pathway for housing discrimination complaints that would otherwise proceed through an administrative hearing under § 213.075. When a notice of hearing is issued for alleged violations involving discriminatory housing practices or aiding and abetting such practices, either the complainant or respondent may elect within twenty days to have the dispute resolved in court instead. If that election is made, the Missouri Commission on Human Rights is required to have its staff attorneys file and maintain the civil action within thirty days, covering all related expenses for the claimant. Courts presiding over these civil actions may grant the full range of relief available under § 213.111, and aggrieved third parties have a right to intervene in the proceedings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 213.076, a respondent named in a housing discrimination complaint has the option to elect a civil court proceeding rather than an administrative hearing, provided the written election is filed with the commission and all parties within twenty days of the hearing notice being mailed. Operators who receive a notice of hearing involving alleged violations of Missouri's fair housing provisions should be aware that this election right belongs to either side, meaning the complainant may also trigger the civil-action route. Compliant property managers typically maintain thorough documentation of their leasing and housing practices so they are prepared to respond in either an administrative or civil forum as contemplated by § 213.076.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 213.076 gives tenants and other complainants who have received a notice of hearing the right to elect a civil court action instead of an administrative hearing, with the election notice due within twenty days of the hearing notice being mailed. If a complainant makes this election, the Missouri Commission on Human Rights is required to have its staff attorneys commence and maintain the civil action at no expense to the claimant. Aggrieved individuals who were not the original complainant may also intervene as of right in a civil action brought under § 213.076, and tenant-rights organizations can help individuals understand which forum and procedural options may be available to them.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation