14-02.4-22. Duties and powers of department

14-02.4-22. Duties and powers of department 1. The department shall receive and investigate complaints alleging violations of this chapter. The department shall emphasize conciliation to resolve complaints. 2. For the purpose of thoroughly investigating a complaint, the department may require the attendance of a witness and the production of a book, record, document, data, or other object at any hearing or with reference to any matter the department has the authority to investigate. If under this subsection a witness fails or refuses to appear or to produce, the department may issue a subpoena to compel the witness to appear or a subpoena duces tecum to compel the witness to appear and produce a relevant book, record, document, data, or other object. 3. If a person refuses to obey a subpoena, the district court, upon application by the department, may issue to the person an order requiring that person appear and give evidence or otherwise produce documentary evidence requested by the department regarding the matter under investigation. 4. A witness who is subpoenaed under this section and who appears at a hearing or whose deposition is taken is entitled to receive the same fees and mileage as a witness in a civil case in district court. 5. The department may adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter. 6. Within the limits of legislative appropriations, the department shall foster prevention of discrimination under this chapter through education for the public, employers, providers of public accommodations or services, and commercial lenders on the rights and responsibilities provided under this chapter and ways to respect those protected rights. 7. The department shall publish in even-numbered years a written report recommending legislative or other action to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The department shall conduct studies relating to the nature and extent of discriminatory practices in this state.