# Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-302: Complaints - Consideration by commission > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-302 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-302 - **Heading:** Complaints - Consideration by commission - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 4 / Chapter 21 / Section 4-21-302 ## Text (a) A person claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory practice, or a member of the commission may file with the commission a written sworn complaint stating that a discriminatory practice has been committed, setting forth the facts sufficient to enable the commission to identify the persons charged, referred to in this part as the respondent. Within ten (10) days after receipt of the complaint, the commission shall serve on the complainant a notice acknowledging the filing of the complaint and informing the complainant of the respondent's time limits and choice of forums under this chapter. (b) The commission staff, or a person designated pursuant to its rules, shall promptly investigate the matter to determine whether the discriminatory practice exists and shall within ten (10) days furnish the respondent with a copy of the complaint and a notice advising the respondent of the respondent's procedural rights and obligations under this chapter. (c) The complaint must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the commission of the alleged discriminatory practice. (d) (1) The commission staff, or a person designated pursuant to its rules, shall commence an investigation of the complaint within thirty (30) days after the filing of the complaint. The commission staff, or designee, shall promptly investigate the matter to determine whether the discriminatory practice exists. (2) If it is determined that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the commission shall furnish a copy of the order to the complainant, the respondent, and such public officers and persons as the commission deems proper. (e) (1) The complainant, within thirty (30) days after receiving a copy of the order dismissing the complaint, may file with the commission an application for reconsideration of the order. (2) Upon such application, the commission or an individual designated pursuant to its rules shall make a new determination within thirty (30) days whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice. (3) If it is determined that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the commission shall issue an order dismissing the complaint after reconsideration, and furnishing a copy of the order to the complainant, the respondent, and such public officers and persons as the commission deems proper. Acts 1978, ch. 748, § 17; T.C.A., §§ 4-2115, 4-21-115; Acts 1992, ch. 1027, §§ 3, 4. (a) A person claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory practice, or a member of the commission may file with the commission a written sworn complaint stating that a discriminatory practice has been committed, setting forth the facts sufficient to enable the commission to identify the persons charged, referred to in this part as the respondent. Within ten (10) days after receipt of the complaint, the commission shall serve on the complainant a notice acknowledging the filing of the complaint and informing the complainant of the respondent's time limits and choice of forums under this chapter. (b) The commission staff, or a person designated pursuant to its rules, shall promptly investigate the matter to determine whether the discriminatory practice exists and shall within ten (10) days furnish the respondent with a copy of the complaint and a notice advising the respondent of the respondent's procedural rights and obligations under this chapter. (c) The complaint must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the commission of the alleged discriminatory practice. vestigate the matter to determine whether the discriminatory practice exists and shall within ten (10) days furnish the respondent with a copy of the complaint and a notice advising the respondent of the respondent's procedural rights and obligations under this chapter. (c) The complaint must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the commission of the alleged discriminatory practice. (d) (1) The commission staff, or a person designated pursuant to its rules, shall commence an investigation of the complaint within thirty (30) days after the filing of the complaint. The commission staff, or designee, shall promptly investigate the matter to determine whether the discriminatory practice exists. (2) If it is determined that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the commission shall furnish a copy of the order to the complainant, the respondent, and such public officers and persons as the commission deems proper. (1) The commission staff, or a person designated pursuant to its rules, shall commence an investigation of the complaint within thirty (30) days after the filing of the complaint. The commission staff, or designee, shall promptly investigate the matter to determine whether the discriminatory practice exists. (2) If it is determined that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the commission shall furnish a copy of the order to the complainant, the respondent, and such public officers and persons as the commission deems proper. (e) (1) The complainant, within thirty (30) days after receiving a copy of the order dismissing the complaint, may file with the commission an application for reconsideration of the order. (2) Upon such application, the commission or an individual designated pursuant to its rules shall make a new determination within thirty (30) days whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice. (3) If it is determined that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the commission shall issue an order dismissing the complaint after reconsideration, and furnishing a copy of the order to the complainant, the respondent, and such public officers and persons as the commission deems proper. (1) The complainant, within thirty (30) days after receiving a copy of the order dismissing the complaint, may file with the commission an application for reconsideration of the order. (2) Upon such application, the commission or an individual designated pursuant to its rules shall make a new determination within thirty (30) days whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice. (3) If it is determined that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the commission shall issue an order dismissing the complaint after reconsideration, and furnishing a copy of the order to the complainant, the respondent, and such public officers and persons as the commission deems proper. Acts 1978, ch. 748, § 17; T.C.A., §§ 4-2115, 4-21-115; Acts 1992, ch. 1027, §§ 3, 4. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-101 Purpose and intent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-102 Chapter definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-102.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-201 Commission created - Members](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-201.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-202 Powers and duties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-202.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-203 Duties and responsibilities of the human rights commission to verify compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-203.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-204 Complaint form](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-204.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-301 Discriminatory practices](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-301.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-302 Complaints - Consideration by commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-302.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-303 Conciliation agreements - Temporary relief](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-303.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-304 Hearings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-304.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-305 Findings and orders](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-305.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-306 Remedies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-306.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-307 Judicial review](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-307.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-308 Access to records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-308.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-302. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.