
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC1975a]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                  CHAPTER 20A--CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION
 
Sec. 1975a. Duties of Commission


(a) Generally

    The Commission--
        (1) shall investigate allegations in writing under oath or 
    affirmation relating to deprivations--
            (A) because of color, race, religion, sex, age, disability, 
        or national origin; or
            (B) as a result of any pattern or practice of fraud;

    of the right of citizens of the United States to vote and have votes 
    counted; and
        (2) shall--
            (A) study and collect information relating to;
            (B) make appraisals of the laws and policies of the Federal 
        Government with respect to;
            (C) serve as a national clearinghouse for information 
        relating to; and
            (D) prepare public service announcements and advertising 
        campaigns to discourage;

    discrimination or denials of equal protection of the laws under the 
    Constitution of the United States because of color, race, religion, 
    sex, age, disability, or national origin, or in the administration 
    of justice.

(b) Limitations on investigatory duties

    Nothing in this chapter or any other Act shall be construed as 
authorizing the Commission, its advisory committees, or any person under 
its supervision or control, to inquire into or investigate any 
membership practices or internal operations of any fraternal 
organization, any college or university fraternity or sorority, any 
private club, or any religious organization.

(c) Reports

                          (1) Annual report

        The Commission shall submit to the President and Congress at 
    least one report annually that monitors Federal civil rights 
    enforcement efforts in the United States.

                     (2) Other reports generally

        The Commission shall submit such other reports to the President 
    and the Congress as the Commission, the Congress, or the President 
    shall deem appropriate.

(d) Advisory committees

    The Commission may constitute such advisory committees as it deems 
advisable. The Commission shall establish at least one such committee in 
each State and the District of Columbia composed of citizens of that 
State or District.

(e) Hearings and ancillary matters

                     (1) Power to hold hearings

        The Commission, or on the authorization of the Commission, any 
    subcommittee of two or more members of the Commission, at least one 
    of whom shall be of each major political party, may, for the purpose 
    of carrying out this chapter, hold such hearings and act at such 
    times and places as the Commission or such authorized subcommittee 
    deems advisable. Each member of the Commission shall have the power 
    to administer oaths and affirmations in connection with the 
    proceedings of the Commission. The holding of a hearing by the 
    Commission or the appointment of a subcommittee to hold a hearing 
    pursuant to this paragraph must be approved by a majority of the 
    Commission, or by a majority of the members present at a meeting 
    when a quorum is present.

                    (2) Power to issue subpoenas

        The Commission may issue subpoenas for the attendance of 
    witnesses and the production of written or other matter. Such a 
    subpoena may not require the presence of a witness more than 100 
    miles outside the place wherein the witness is found or resides or 
    is domiciled or transacts business, or has appointed an agent for 
    receipt of service of process. In case of contumacy or refusal to 
    obey a subpoena, the Attorney General may in a Federal court of 
    appropriate jurisdiction obtain an appropriate order to enforce the 
    subpoena.

                          (3) Witness fees

        A witness attending any proceeding of the Commission shall be 
    paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts 
    of the United States.

                 (4) Depositions and interrogatories

        The Commission may use depositions and written interrogatories 
    to obtain information and testimony about matters that are the 
    subject of a Commission hearing or report.

(f) Limitation relating to abortion

    Nothing in this chapter or any other Act shall be construed as 
authorizing the Commission, its advisory committees, or any other person 
under its supervision or control to study and collect, make appraisals 
of, or serve as a clearinghouse for any information about laws and 
policies of the Federal Government or any other governmental authority 
in the United States, with respect to abortion.

(Pub. L. 98-183, Sec. 3, Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1302; Pub. L. 102-167, 
Sec. 5, Nov. 26, 1991, 105 Stat. 1101; Pub. L. 103-419, Sec. 2, Oct. 25, 
1994, 108 Stat. 4339.)


                            Prior Provisions

    A prior section 1975a, Pub. L. 85-315, pt. I, Sec. 102, Sept. 9, 
1957, 71 Stat. 634; Pub. L. 88-352, title V, Sec. 501, July 2, 1964, 78 
Stat. 249; Pub. L. 91-521, Sec. 4, Nov. 25, 1970, 84 Stat. 1357; Pub. L. 
92-496, Sec. 1, Oct. 14, 1972, 86 Stat. 813, established rules of 
procedure for Commission. See Codification note set out preceding 
section 1975 of this title.


                               Amendments

    1994--Pub. L. 103-419 amended section generally, substituting 
provisions relating to duties of Commission for provisions relating to 
rules of procedure of Commission hearings.
    1991--Subsecs. (a), (d), (f). Pub. L. 102-167 substituted 
``Chairperson'' for ``Chairman'' wherever appearing.
