2023 Tennessee Code › Title 4 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 4-1-101 — 4-58-110) › Chapter 21 - HUMAN RIGHTS (§§ 4-21-101 — 4-21-1004) › Part 3 - VIOLATIONS-PROCEDURES (§§ 4-21-301 — 4-21-314) › Section 4-21-304 - Hearings

(a)
(1)
In complaints involving discrimination in employment and public accommodations, within ninety (90) days after an administrative determination of reasonable cause to believe that discrimination took place, unless the commission has issued an order stating the terms of a conciliation agreement, or, in those cases in which the terms of a conciliation agreement have been kept confidential, has issued an order stating that the case has been satisfactorily conciliated, the commission shall serve on the respondent by mail or in person a written notice, together with a copy of the complaint as it may have been amended, or a copy of the letter of determination, requiring the respondent to answer the allegation of the complaint at a hearing before a hearing examiner or hearing examiners, or another individual pursuant to its rules, at a time and place specified by the hearing examiner or examiners after conference with the parties or their attorneys.
(2)
A copy of the notice shall be furnished to the complainant, and such public officers and persons as the commission deems proper.
(3)
In complaints involving housing discrimination only, if the commission has determined that there is reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory housing practice, and if the complaint has not been resolved through a conciliation agreement, and if neither party has made an election for a civil action pursuant to §
4-21-312
, then the commission shall commence a hearing in accordance with this subsection (a).
(4)
All hearings conducted under this section shall be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in chapter 5, part 3 of this title.
(b)
A member of the commission who filed the complaint or endeavored to eliminate the alleged discriminatory practice by conference, conciliation or persuasion shall not participate in the hearing or in the subsequent deliberation of the commission.
(c)
The respondent may file an answer with the commission by registered or certified mail in accordance with the rules of the commission before the hearing date. The respondent may amend an answer at any time prior to the issuance of an order based on the complaint, but no order shall be issued unless the respondent has had an opportunity of a hearing on the complaint or amendment on which the order is based.
(d)
A respondent, who has filed an answer or whose default in answering has been set aside for good cause shown, may appear at the hearing with or without representation, may examine and cross-examine witnesses and the complainant, and may offer evidence.
(e)
The complainant and the complainant's private attorney, and, in the discretion of the commission, any person, may intervene, examine, and cross-examine witnesses, and present evidence.
(f)
If the respondent fails to answer the complaint, the commission may enter the respondent's default. Unless the default is set aside for good cause shown, the hearing may proceed on the evidence in support of the complaint.
(g)
Efforts at conference, conciliation and persuasion shall not be received in evidence.
(h)
Testimony taken at the hearing shall be under oath and transcribed. If the testimony is not taken before the commission, the record shall be transmitted to the commission.
(i)
In a proceeding under this chapter, the production of a written, printed or visual communication, advertisement or other form of publication, or a written inquiry, or record, or other document purporting to have been made by a person shall be prima facie evidence that it was authorized by the person.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 863,s 1, eff. 4/19/2016.
Acts 1978, ch. 748, § 19; 1979, ch. 422, § 26; T.C.A., §§ 4-2117, 4-21-117; Acts 1992, ch. 1027, § 6.