213.126. Attorney general to act, when--authorization of civil action--settlement agreement.

Attorney general to act, when--authorization of civilaction--settlement agreement.

213.126. 1. Whenever the attorney general has a reasonablecause to believe that any person or group of persons is engagedin a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment ofany of the rights granted by this chapter or that any group ofpersons has been denied any of the rights granted by thischapter, and such denial raises an issue of general publicimportance, he may bring a civil action to any appropriate statecourt by filing with it a complaint setting forth the facts andrequesting 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 personsresponsible for such pattern or practice or denial of rights, ashe deems necessary to ensure the full enjoyment of the rightsgranted by this chapter.

2. If, at any time following the filing of a complaintalleging violation of one or more of the provisions of sections213.040 to 213.070, the chairperson determines that promptjudicial action is necessary to carry out the purposes of thischapter, the chairperson may authorize a civil action forappropriate temporary or preliminary relief pending finaldisposition of the complaint under the provisions of thischapter. Upon receipt of such authorization, the attorneygeneral may commence and maintain an action seeking temporary orpreliminary relief of an equitable nature in the circuit court ofthe county in which the respondent resides or in any county inwhich respondent conducts business.

3. Upon request by the commission, the attorney generalshall take appropriate action in circuit court to enforce asubpoena issued by the commission.

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

(L. 1986 S.B. 513 § 213.125, A.L. 1992 H.B. 1619)