ARM 24.8.103. DEFINITIONS

The following definitions apply throughout this chapter: (1) "Act" means the Human Rights Act, Title 49, chapter 2, MCA. (2) "Aggrieved party" means a person who can demonstrate a specific personal and legal interest, as distinguished from a general interest, and who has been specially and injuriously affected by, or is likely to be a victim of a violation of the Act or Code, as defined in 49-2-101 , MCA. (3) "Charging party" means a person who files a discrimination complaint with the department or a federal agency with whom the department has a work-sharing agreement. (4) "Code" means the Governmental Code of Fair Practices, Title 49, chapter 3, MCA. (5) "Commission" means the human rights commission, a quasi-judicial board as established by 2-15-1706 , MCA. (6) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department of labor and industry. (7) "Notice of dismissal and right to sue" means a document which terminates the jurisdiction of the department over a complaint under the Act or Code and which allows a charging party or aggrieved party to file a discrimination action in district court. (8) "Reasonable cause" means that a preponderance of the evidence supports a finding of unlawful discrimination. A finding of "reasonable cause" is equivalent to "merit" as provided in 49-2-504 , MCA. (9) "Respondent" means any person against whom a complaint is filed.