1. Whenever the attorney general has a reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of any of the rights granted by this chapter or that any group of persons has been denied any of the rights granted by this chapter, and such denial raises an issue of general public importance, he may bring a civil action to any appropriate state court by filing with it a complaint setting forth the facts and requesting such preventive relief, including, but not limited to, an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person or persons responsible for such pattern or practice or denial of rights, as he deems necessary to ensure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this chapter.

2. If, at any time following the filing of a complaint alleging violation of one or more of the provisions of sections 213.040 to 213.070, the chairperson determines that prompt judicial action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, the chairperson may authorize a civil action for appropriate temporary or preliminary relief pending final disposition of the complaint under the provisions of this chapter. Upon receipt of such authorization, the attorney general may commence and maintain an action seeking temporary or preliminary relief of an equitable nature in the circuit court of the county in which the respondent resides or in any county in which respondent conducts business.

Terms Used In Missouri Laws 213.126

  • Commission: the Missouri commission on human rights. See Missouri Laws 213.010
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Executive director: the executive director of the Missouri commission on human rights. See Missouri Laws 213.010
  • following: when used by way of reference to any section of the statutes, mean the section next preceding or next following that in which the reference is made, unless some other section is expressly designated in the reference. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Person: includes one or more individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, organizations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint stock companies, trusts, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, fiduciaries, or other organized groups of persons. See Missouri Laws 213.010
  • Respondent: a person who is alleged to have engaged in a prohibited discriminatory practice in a complaint filed with the commission. See Missouri Laws 213.010
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
  • State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.

3. Upon request by the commission, the attorney general shall take appropriate action in circuit court to enforce a subpoena issued by the commission.

4. The attorney general may file suit to enforce a settlement or conciliation agreement or any order of the commission referred by the commission or executive director.

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