12930
. The department shall have the following functions, powers,
and duties:
(a) To establish and maintain a principal office and any other
offices within the state as are necessary to carry out the purposes
of this part.
(b) To meet and function at any place within the state.
(c) To appoint attorneys, investigators, conciliators, mediators,
and other employees as it may deem necessary, fix their compensation
within the limitations provided by law, and prescribe their duties.
(d) To obtain upon request and utilize the services of all
governmental departments and agencies and, in addition, with respect
to housing discrimination, of conciliation councils.
(e) To adopt, promulgate, amend, and rescind suitable procedural
rules and regulations to carry out the investigation, prosecution,
and dispute resolution functions and duties of the department
pursuant to this part.
(f) (1) To receive, investigate, conciliate, mediate, and
prosecute complaints alleging practices made unlawful pursuant to
Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 12940).
(2) To receive, investigate, conciliate, mediate, and prosecute
complaints alleging a violation of Section 51, 51.5, 51.7, 54, 54.1,
or 54.2 of the Civil Code. The remedies and procedures of this part
shall be independent of any other remedy or procedure that might
apply.
(g) In connection with any matter under investigation or in
question before the department pursuant to a complaint filed under
Section 12960, 12961, or 12980:
(1) To issue subpoenas to require the attendance and testimony of
witnesses and the production of books, records, documents, and
physical materials.
(2) To administer oaths, examine witnesses under oath and take
evidence, and take depositions and affidavits.
(3) To issue written interrogatories.
(4) To request the production for inspection and copying of books,
records, documents, and physical materials.
(5) To petition the superior courts to compel the appearance and
testimony of witnesses, the production of books, records, documents,
and physical materials, and the answering of interrogatories.
(h) To bring civil actions pursuant to Section 12965 or 12981 and
to prosecute those civil actions before state and federal trial
courts.
(i) To issue those publications and those results of
investigations and research as in its judgment will tend to promote
good will and minimize or eliminate discrimination in employment on
the bases enumerated in this part and discrimination in housing
because of race, religious creed, color, sex, gender, gender
identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin,
ancestry, familial status, disability, genetic information, or sexual
orientation.
(j) To investigate, approve, certify, decertify, monitor, and
enforce nondiscrimination programs proposed by a contractor to be
engaged in pursuant to Section 12990.
(k) To render annually to the Governor and to the Legislature a
written report of its activities and of its recommendations.
(l) To conduct mediations at any time after a complaint is filed
pursuant to Section 12960, 12961, or 12980. The department may end
mediation at any time.
(m) The following shall apply with respect to any accusation
pending before the former Fair Employment and Housing Commission on
or after January 1, 2013:
(1) If an accusation issued under former Section 12965 includes a
prayer either for damages for emotional injuries as a component of
actual damages, or for administrative fines, or both, or if an
accusation is amended for the purpose of adding a prayer either for
damages for emotional injuries as a component of actual damages, or
for administrative fines, or both, with the consent of the party
accused of engaging in unlawful practices, the department may
withdraw an accusation and bring a civil action in superior court.
(2) If an accusation was issued under former Section 12981, with
the consent of the aggrieved party filing the complaint an aggrieved
person on whose behalf a complaint is filed, or the party accused of
engaging in unlawful practices, the department may withdraw the
accusation and bring a civil action in superior court.
(3) Where removal to court is not feasible, the department shall
retain the services of the Office of Administrative Hearings to
adjudicate the administrative action pursuant to Sections 11370.3 and
11502.
(n) On any Section 1094.5 Code of Civil Procedure challenge to a
decision of the former Fair Employment and Housing Commission pending
on or after January 1, 2013, the director or his or her designee
shall consult with the Attorney General regarding the defense of that
writ petition.