---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 C.F.R. § 20.11"
title: "15"
number: "20.11"
heading: "Complaints."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/15/20.11"
---

# §20.11. Complaints.

- (a) Any person, individually, or as a member of a class, or on behalf of others, may file a complaint with DOC alleging discrimination prohibited by the Act or these regulations based on an action occurring on or after July 1, 1979. A complainant shall file a complaint within 180 days from the date the complainant first had knowledge of the alleged act of discrimination. However, for good cause shown, DOC may extend this time limit.
- (b) DOC will attempt to facilitate the filing of complaints wherever possible, including taking the following measures:
  - (1) **Accepting as a sufficient complaint, any written statement which—** identifies the parties involved and the date the complainant first had knowledge of the alleged violation; describes generally the action or practice complained of; and is signed by the complainant;
  - (2) Freely permitting a complainant to add information to the complaint to meet the requirements of a sufficient complaint;
  - (3) Considering as the filing date, the date on which a complaint is sufficient to be processed;
  - (4) Notifiying the complainant and the recipient of their rights and obligations under the compliant procedure, including the right to have a representative at all stages of the process;
  - (5) Notifying the complainant and the recipient (or their representatives) of their right to contact DOC for information and assistance regarding the complaint resolution process.
- (c) DOC will return to the complainant any complaint outside the jurisdiction of these regulations, and will state the reason(s) why it is outside the jurisdiction of these regulations.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, 42 U.S.C. sec. 6101 et seq. and the government-wide regulations implementing the Act, 45 CFR Part 90.

### Source

Source: 51 FR 28926, Aug. 13, 1986, unless otherwise noted.