712. PUBLIC COMPLAINTS

712 PUBLIC COMPLAINTS 712.1 The Office shall receive oral and written complaints by members of the public through the following means: by telephone, through the Commission’s website, by email, in person, by U.S. Mail, by fax, or by private delivery service. 712.2 An oral complaint shall not be the basis of further action by the Office unless it has been reduced to writing. If the Office receives an oral complaint, it shall either: (1) contact the complainant to request that the complaint be filed in writing; or (2) promptly reduce the complaint to writing. 712.3 The Office shall notify each complainant that his or her complaint has been received within seventy-two (72) hours of receiving a complaint submitted in writing or within seventy-two (72) hours after receiving a written complaint which had been originally submitted orally. The notice shall be provided by U.S. Mail, email, or telephone call using the contact information provided by the complainant. 712.4 A public complaint shall be pursued by the Office if submitted within thirty (30) days following the event or occurrence giving rise to the complaint, provided however, that a complaint alleging that any individual suffered personal injury or engaged in criminal misconduct in connection with a public vehicle-for-hire service may be pursued by the Office if submitted within twelve (12) months after the event or occurrence giving rise to the complaint. 712.5 Unless the Office determines that a public complaint is not actionable, it shall notify the respondent of the complaint within fourteen (14) calendar days after the public compliant has been submitted to the Office. 712.6 Each respondent who is the subject of a complaint shall be notified in writing that the complaint has been submitted and be given the opportunity for mediation in accordance with § 711. 712.7 The Office shall initiate any enforcement action based on a timely complaint not later than sixty (60) calendar days after the completion of mediation as described in § 711. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 6408 (June 27, 2014); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 2554 (February 27, 2015). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Taxicabs and Public Vehicles for Hire 31 DCMR § 712