(The Center Square) – The Tennessee attorney general’s Civil Rights Enforcement Division has officially taken over the duties of the abolished Human Rights Commission.
The General Assembly passed a bill that did away with the 62-year-old commission as of June 30. The new division dismissed complaints filed with the commission, according to information posted by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office.
Some previous complaints about housing were transferred to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Those that weren’t can be refiled with the Civil Rights Division until Sept. 29, according to the website.
Employment complaints were sent to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to the website.
“The new Civil Rights Enforcement Division marks a fresh start for antidiscrimination enforcement in Tennessee,” Skrmetti said. “Our office takes this new responsibility seriously and aims to enforce our laws with excellence, integrity, and efficiency. I started my career as a civil rights prosecutor and am honored that the General Assembly and Governor Lee have trusted this office to protect civil rights and deliver real results for Tennesseans.”
Democrats criticized Skrmetti for not transferring Human Rights Commission employees into the new division.
A spokesman for the office previously said, “The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office notified current employees of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission that if they wish to be considered for a position in the Civil Rights Enforcement Division, they may contact the AG’s office to schedule an interview. We hope to engage with many of them throughout the transition.”
The Center Square was unsuccessful getting confirmation from the attorney general’s office of how many employees from the Human Rights Commission are now part of the Civil Rights Division.
