Bylaws

Bylaws

Pursuant to the authority granted to the Commissioners of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission by Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.), Title 4, Chapter 21, the previous Bylaws for this Commission are amended, and the Bylaws, as amended, set forth below are adopted by the Commission as of this date, December 2, 2016 and amended on September 24, 2021.

The Commission is an independent state agency responsible for education and enforcement of the Tennessee Human Rights Act (T.C.A. § 4-21-101, et seq.) and the Tennessee Disability Act (T.C.A. § 8-50-103) which prohibit discrimination and retaliation in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, disability (not in public accommodations), familial status (housing only) and age (40+, not in housing). The Commission also ensures the State of Tennessee's compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin by State agencies receiving federal financial assistance.

Mission Statement

The Commission’s mission is to safeguard individuals from discrimination through education and enforcement.

SECTION 1. MEMBERS, OFFICERS, COMMITTEE AND DUTIES

The Commission shall consist of nine (9) members with three (3) members appointed by the Governor, three (3) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and three (3) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Three (3) members of the Commission shall reside in each grand division of the state. Following the expiration of the members’ initial terms as outlined in T.C.A. § 4-21-201(c)(2), all appointments shall be for terms of six (6) years.  All Commission members serve until the expiration of their term and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Members are eligible for reappointment following the expiration of their term but shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms.

The officers of the Commission shall be a Chairperson, one (1) Vice Chairperson and a Secretary.  There shall be standing committees appointed by the Chair.

Election of Officers

The Commission shall elect its officers to serve for a period of two (2) years at the annual meeting in July, or at such time as the Commission deems feasible.  No member may serve in a particular office for more than two (2) consecutive, two (2) year terms.

Duties of Officers

The Chairperson, in consultation with the Executive Director, is responsible for calling special meetings, presiding at all meetings, developing the agenda for each meeting, appointing committees, serving as principal spokesperson for the Commission on policy matters, serving as an ex-officio capacity on all committees except nominations.

The Vice Chairperson will act for the Chairperson when the Chairperson is absent or has recused him or herself from the Commission’s business.  The Vice Chairperson may sign all documents in the absence of the Chairperson and shall perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Chairperson or the Commission.

The Secretary shall work closely with a designated staff person to (1) ensure accuracy of minutes, (2) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of the bylaws, and (3) ensure that written copies are maintained in the Commissioners’ notebooks. The Secretary shall act as parliamentarian for the Commission and act as Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons.

Committees

There shall be standing committees and special committees as required to do the work of the Commission. Each committee must have representation from each of the Grand Divisions whenever possible.  All committees are empowered to meet telephonically provided that the requirements for electronic meetings in the Tennessee Open Meetings Act (T.C.A. § 8-44-101, et seq.) are met. The Executive Director, in consultation with the Chairperson, shall appoint a staff member as liaison to each committee.

Standing Committees

Executive Committee

This committee shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and the Secretary. This committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, not to conflict with the regular Commission meetings and shall exercise all of the powers of the Commission that may lawfully be delegated, or such lesser powers as may be specified from time to time by vote of the Commission.  This committee shall conduct the performance evaluation of the Executive Director and make a recommendation to the full Commission in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 4-21-202. All actions of the Executive Committee shall be subject to review by the Commission and the Executive Committee shall report all its actions to the Commission.

Budget and Audit Committee

The Budget and Audit Committee is created pursuant to the State of Tennessee Audit Committee Act of 2005 (T.C.A. § 4-35-101, et seq.).  THRC’s Audit Committee Charter developed pursuant to T.C.A. § 4-35-103 addresses the Committee’s purpose, authority, membership, meetings, and responsibilities and is the governing document for this Committee. Under T.C.A. § 4-35-103(c), any amendments to the charter must be approved by the full Commission and the Comptroller of the Treasury.

The Budget and Audit Committee and its Chair shall be nominated by the Chairperson and confirmed by the Commission and shall consist of at least three (3) Commissioners. The Chair should preferably have some accounting or financial management background, and the members should have an adequate background and education to allow a reasonable understanding of the information presented in the financial reports and by any auditors.

The Committee is also responsible, with staff assistance, for oversight and development of the budget which is submitted to the full Commission for approval.  In addition, the Budget and Audit Committee will assist the Commission in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in preventing fraudulent financial reporting and misappropriation of assets.

Law and Legislation Committee

This committee shall be responsible for the development of bylaws, rules and legislation and other legal matters delegated by the Commission affecting the procedures and authority of the Commission within the State of Tennessee.  This committee shall work with Commission staff to discuss possible amendments to bylaws, rules and legislation, and the committee shall report its recommendations to the full board of the Commission for their review and approval. The committee may develop procedures and structures to alert Commission members to legislation concerning the Commission and its jurisdiction to allow them to respond so that they may provide needed information to the Governor in order to facilitate the most appropriate legislation for the citizens of the state.

Strategic Planning and Issues Committee

This committee is charged with the responsibility of determining, through research and study, the needs of the Commission, within its legislatively mandated jurisdiction, and recommending policies to the Commission on meeting these responsibilities.  The committee will review, on a continuing basis, Commission’s goals, plans and objectives, and recommend to the Commission appropriate means through which to accomplish its mission.  This committee shall also review the overall Commission program and determine if functions and duties are being discharged in an efficient manner with regard to the appropriations and resources of the agency.  In addition, this committee shall receive, review, and recommend proposed issue resolutions to be considered by the Commission.  These proposals may originate with members of the Commission, the general public or this committee acting on its own initiative.

Public Relations and Education Committee

This committee shall study and recommend ideas to the Commission relative to the conduct of an effective and continuing public relations program.  Such a program shall have as its purpose to translate into understandable terms the nature of the activities and aims of the Commission.  The goal of this committee is to achieve favorable public recognition for the Commission, its programs, and its mission, as well as position the Commission as a top-of-mind resource for all Tennesseans.

Nominating Committee

This committee shall be composed of three (3) Commission members appointed by the Chairperson, and each grand division of the state shall be represented in such appointments. These appointments shall be made at the bimonthly meeting preceding the annual meeting in July. It shall be the duty of this committee to make nominations for the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary. The nominations shall be presented to the Commission at the annual meeting. Each nominee is to be elected by the Commission for a two (2) year term which will become effective at the next meeting.

Special Committees

In addition to the standing committees named above, the Chairperson may appoint other committees, as needed for the functioning of the Commission.

SECTION 2. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETINGS

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting shall be held in July, or at such time as is designated by the Executive Committee.

Meetings

All Commission and committee meetings shall be held in accordance with the Tennessee Open Meetings Act (T.C.A. § 8-44-101 et seq.). The Commission shall meet bimonthly, and a schedule of meeting dates shall be developed by the Chairperson in consultation with the Executive Director and distributed to the Commission members in advance. Two (2) of the six (6) meetings may be held telephonically if the requirements for electronic meetings are met.

Meeting Place

The meeting place shall be determined by the Commission in consultation with the Executive Director.

Meeting Attendance

In accordance with T.C.A. § 4-21-201(h), a Commissioner who is absent from more than three (3) regularly scheduled meetings in the course of the Commission's fiscal year may be removed from the Commission by the respective appointing authority.

Special Meetings

Special or emergency meetings may be called by the Chairperson, or by a petition of three (3) Commission members.  A notice of special meeting shall be called by telephone and given through the news media, in the absence of a written notice.

Minutes

Approved minutes of each regular, committee, and special meeting shall be kept and shall become a part of the official records of the Commission.  A copy of approved minutes shall be available on the agency website for public viewing.

Community Participation

A limited time shall be set aside at Commission meetings for non-Commission members to address the Commission.  A member of the public may speak on any issues at any meeting, with the length of time to speak on any issue left to the discretion of the Chairperson.

Quorum

Fifty percent of the actual Commission membership at the time of a meeting shall constitute a quorum for official business.

SECTION 3. STAFF AND FUNDS

The Tennessee Human Rights Commission shall be staffed by an Executive Director employed by the Commission.  Other personnel shall be employed as provided in the Tennessee Human Rights Act (T.C.A. § 4-21-101, et seq.) and the Commission’s budget in accordance with the Department of Human Resources, laws and regulations.

Executive Director

The Executive Director shall be responsible to the Commission for carrying out the policies, programs, and directives of the Commission.

Travel

Travel and other expenses shall be paid according to the rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration and as provided by the Tennessee Human Rights Act.  Any self-initiated travel by a member for the benefit of the Commission shall require the pre-approval of the Chairperson.  If an emergency arises which requires travel by a member on Commission business without time to gain pre-approval, the Chairperson may grant approval after the emergency, if he or she deems such travel necessary for the benefit of the Commission.  If the Chairperson doesn't grant travel approval for member self-initiated travel, the member may appeal the denial of approval to the full Commission, which may grant approval by a majority vote.

SECTION 4.  BYLAWS GOVERNANCE

These bylaws shall be governed by and shall comply with Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 21, and any other statutes or regulations applicable to state boards and commissions generally.

SECTION 5. STANDING RULES

Standing Rules, as approved by the Commission, shall be considered a part of the Bylaws.

Standing Rule No. 1 - Each Commission member shall receive a copy of the agenda not later than one (1) week in advance of the meeting.

Standing Rule No. 2 - Minutes of all committee and Commission meetings shall be sent to all Commission members.

Standing Rule No. 3 - All requests for out-of-state travel must have concurrent approval of the Chairperson and the Executive Director.

Standing Rule No. 4 - Where these Bylaws are silent, Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall apply.

SECTION 6. AMENDMENTS

The Bylaws of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission may be amended by a majority of the Commission, following recommendations of the Law and Legislation Committee and submission to each member by mail or electronic mail at least ten (10) days prior to consideration of such changes by the Commission.

SECTION 7.  CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Commissioners self-report any conflicts of interest or need for recusal from hearing specific cases. In an instance where a commissioner has expressed either verbally, in writing or by any other means of communication his or her bias toward a specific case or toward a type of case, a vote by a majority of Commissioners may remove the Commissioner from hearing the specific case or type of case.

SECTION 8.  GRIEVANCE PROCESS

Commissioners having a grievance or concern with the executive director, fellow Commissioner or other THRC related party shall file an official complaint with the Chair of the Commission. The Chair is obligated to bring it forward for consideration by the Executive Committee which in turn, will make a recommendation to the full board for consideration.