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Des Moines Human Rights Commission
Complaint Process

The Commission is an Impartial Investigative Agency, which seeks to determine through investigation, if a person was treated unfairly in violation of the City Code we enforce.

1. Intake: Any inquiry approved by the Director or Investigator that has jurisdictional requirements. English Form - Spanish Form
2. Filing: The Commission will assist you in the preparation and filing of a complaint. The complaint must be filed within 300 days of the most recent discriminatory incident.
3. Mediation: The Commission will attempt to resolve your complaint before investigation, if both parties agree to mediation.
4. Investigation: If mediation fails, the Commission will conduct an impartial investigation. (More information on the Investigation Process)
5. Conciliation: If Commission finds that you were the victim of illegal discrimination, it will attempt to negotiate a settlement and obtain a remedy for you.
6. Litigation: If an appropriate remedy cannot be obtained, the Commission may proceed to a public hearing to assist you in taking the matter to court.

Complainants are responsible for: maintaining contact with the Commission; providing a contact person; and providing evidence; or the names of witness(s), that supports their allegations.

The Commission is charged with providing a "Public Service" to the community and is supported as part of City Government. A timely resolution of cases is dependent upon cooperation of all involved parties. Although investigations are begun in a timely manner, it is not unusual to experience delays. A complainant may elect to proceed into court by retaining an attorney and filing for a letter to sue after the case has been on file with the agency for 60 days.