Section 819.156 - Reasonable Cause Determination and Issuance of a Charge(a) If a conciliation agreement under this chapter and the Texas Fair Housing Act, Subchapter E, has not been executed by the complainant and the respondent, and approved by the CRD director, the CRD director on behalf of the Agency , within the time limits set forth in subsection (f) of this section, shall determine whether, based on the totality of the factual circumstances known at the time of the decision, reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred. The reasonable cause determination shall be based solely on the facts concerning the alleged discriminatory housing practice, provided by complainant and respondent or otherwise disclosed during the investigation. In making the reasonable cause determination, the CRD director shall consider whether the facts concerning the alleged discriminatory housing practice are sufficient to warrant the initiation of a civil action in state district court.(b) If the CRD director determines that reasonable cause exists, the CRD director shall immediately issue a charge under the Texas Fair Housing Act, Subchapter E, and this chapter on behalf of the complainant, and shall notify the complainant and the respondent of this determination by certified mail or personal service.(c) If the CRD director determines that no reasonable cause exists, the CRD director shall issue a short written statement of the facts upon which the CRD director has based the no reasonable cause determination; dismiss the complaint; notify the complainant and the respondent of the dismissal (including the written statement of facts) by certified mail or personal service; and make public disclosure of the dismissal.(d) If the CRD director determines that the matter involves the legality of local zoning or land use laws or ordinances, the CRD director, in lieu of making a determination regarding reasonable cause, shall refer the investigative materials to the Office of the Attorney General for appropriate action under the Texas Fair Housing Act, Subchapter G, and shall notify the complainant and the respondent of this action by certified mail or personal service.(e) The CRD director shall not issue a charge under this chapter and the Texas Fair Housing Act, Subchapter E, regarding an alleged discriminatory housing practice, if a complainant has commenced the trial of a civil action under federal or state law seeking relief with respect to the alleged discriminatory housing practice. If a charge is not issued because of the commencement of a trial of a civil action, the CRD director shall notify the complainant and the respondent by certified mail or personal service.(f) The CRD director shall make a reasonable cause determination within 100 days after filing of the complaint.(g) If the CRD director is unable to make the determination within the 100-day period, the CRD director shall notify the complainant and the respondent, by certified mail or personal service, of the reasons for the delay.(h) The CRD director shall notify the complainant and respondent, and any aggrieved person on whose behalf a complaint has been filed, that they may elect to have the claims asserted in the charge decided in a civil action, as provided in Texas Property Code § 301.131, or an administrative hearing pursuant to § 819.191 of this chapter.40 Tex. Admin. Code § 819.156
The provisions of this §819.156 adopted to be effective September 27, 2005, 30 TexReg 6065; amended to be effective June 16, 2014, 39 TexReg 4659; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 41, Number 31, July 29, 2016, TexReg 5564, eff. 8/1/2016