OAR 839-003-0055: Conciliation Agreements Prior to Completion of the Investigation

As used in enforcing ORS chapter 659A, including housing discrimination under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 – 3614a): (1) The division encourages aggrieved persons and respondents to resolve complaints by mutual agreement at any time. The division will facilitate settlement negotiations between the aggrieved person and respondent, as provided in this rule, at any time during the investigation. (2) If the aggrieved person and respondent agree upon settlement, the division will draft a settlement agreement that states: (a) That a "no fault" settlement has been reached; (b) That the aggrieved person, the respondent and the Civil Rights Division accept the terms of the agreement as a resolution of the complaint; (c) The specific action(s) the aggrieved person and respondent will take as a result of the complaint settlement and the time within which the action(s) will be taken; and (d) That the division may investigate any alleged breach of the agreement. (3) The settlement agreement will not include release language that applies to any forum other than the Civil Rights Division. (4) The aggrieved person, the respondent and a representative of the division will sign the division's settlement agreement. Upon execution of this agreement, the division will notify the aggrieved person and respondent that the complaint is dismissed. The aggrieved person and respondent will receive copies of the signed agreement. (5) The division may allow the aggrieved person and the respondent to enter into a private agreement with release language in addition to the division's agreement. The division will not be a party to nor enforce private agreements and they do not become part of the agency record. (6) Nothing in these rules is intended to preclude private settlement between the aggrieved person and the respondent.