For the purpose of promoting equal employment and housing opportunities and eliminating unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment in employment and sexual harassment in elementary, secondary, and higher education, the Department shall have authority to:
(A) Recruitment. Cooperate with public and private organizations, as well as the Department of Central Management Services, in encouraging individuals in underrepresented classifications to seek employment in state government. (B) Publications; Research. Issue publications, conduct research, and make surveys as it deems necessary. (C) Public Hearings. Hold public hearings to obtain information from the general public on the effectiveness of the state's equal employment opportunity program and the protection against unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment in employment and sexual harassment in elementary, secondary, and higher education afforded by this Act and to accept public recommendations concerning changes in the program and the Act for inclusion in its annual report. (D) Promotion of Communication and Goodwill. Establish a program to cooperate with civic, religious and educational organizations in order to improve human communication and understanding, foster equal opportunities in employment and housing, and promote and encourage communication, goodwill and interfaith and interracial harmony. Amended by P.A. 096-1319,§ 5, eff. 7/27/2010.