239-r. General obligations. A commission on human rights created under the provisions of section two hundred thirty-nine-o of this article shall discharge the following obligations. (a) To receive complaints of alleged discrimination because of race, creed, color or national origin, to seek the active assistance of the division of human rights in the solution of complaints which fall within the jurisdiction of the division and to prepare its own plans in the case of other complaints with a view to reducing and eliminating such alleged discrimination through the process of conference, conciliation and persuasion.
(b) To hold conferences, and other public meetings in the interest of the constructive resolution of racial, religious and nationality group tensions and the prejudice and discrimination occasioned thereby.
(c) To issue such publications and reports of investigation as in its judgment will tend to effectuate the purposes of this article.
(d) To enlist the cooperation and participation of the various racial, religious and nationality groups, community organizations, industry and labor organizations media or mass communication, fraternal and benevolent associations, and other groups in an educational campaign devoted to fostering among the diverse groups of the community mutual esteem, justice and equity and opening new opportunities into all phases of community life for all individuals.
(e) To encourage and stimulate agencies under the jurisdiction of the governing board which created the commission to take such action as will fulfill the purposes of this article.
(f) To submit an annual report to the governing board or boards and to furnish a copy thereof to the division of human rights.
Last modified: February 3, 2019