About Us

The Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR) was created by the 69th General Assembly in 1957 and became a permanent agency in 1959. In 1961 the Fair Employment Practices Act was passed, in 1965 the Public Accommodations Act was passed and in 1972 the Fair Housing Act was passed. In 1986 these three (3) laws were consolidated under Chapter 213 RSMo as the Missouri Human Rights Act. The MCHR is the state agency charged with enforcing Chapter 213, RSMo.

The basic powers and duties of the MCHR are to prevent (through education and outreach) and eliminate (through enforcement) discrimination. Persons who believe that they have been discriminated against because of a factor they can't change can file a complaint on a form provided by the Commission, but these complaints must be "filed" within 180 days of the latest date of discrimination. The MCHR is only authorized to investigate complaints in employment, public accommodations and housing and only if the reason for the alleged discrimination is on account of that person's protected status of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, age (40 - 69) (in employment only) and familial status-families with children under the age of 18 (in housing only).

Vision and Mission Statements

Vision – The MCHR envisions a bias-free society.

Mission – To develop, recommend and implement ways to prevent and eliminate discrimination claims through enforcement of the Missouri Human Rights Act.

The Law

"Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice may make, sign and file a written complaint with the Commission within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. The complaint must state the name and address of the person alleged to have committed the unlawful discriminatory practice. The complaint must also state the particulars and such other information as may be required by the commission. The complainant's agent, attorney or the attorney general may make, sign and file such complaint."

The Process

The Commission staff receive and investigate these complaints. During investigation, the Commission acts as a neutral factfinder. If the investigation shows probable cause to believe discrimination occurred, attempts are made to conciliate the matter.

If conciliation attempts fail, the chairperson of the Commission may order a public hearing to be held. The case is presented at the hearing by the Office of the Attorney General. (In housing cases only, the parties have the right to choose to have their case heard in circuit court rather than in public hearing).

The hearing process is to determine if the respondent has committed an unlawful discriminatory practice. If the Commission finds that an unlawful discriminatory practice has occurred, it may order the respondent to stop the unlawful acts and to provide appropriate remedies such as monetary damages, jobs or housing. After hearing all the evidence, if the Commission finds no unlawful discrimination occurred, the complaint is dismissed.

Either party has the right to appeal the Commission's final decisions or orders to the circuit court of Cole County. If necessary, the Commission may obtain a court order to enforce it's decisions and orders. If an appeal to the court is made, the Attorney General's office represents the Missouri Commission on Human Rights in the court proceeding. A case may be appealed up to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Complainants may bypass the administrative complaint process and take their case to court. To do so, Complainants must request their notice of right to sue in writing with the Commission and be prepared to go to court within 90 days of its issuance of their right to sue.

Commission Meetings

Meetings of the Commission are open to the public and are held quarterly.