Cal. Civ. Code § 22-9.5-6-12
Election to have claims decided in civil action; time limitation; notice
Operative Text
Sec. 12. (a) A complainant, a respondent, or an aggrieved person on whose behalf the complaint was filed may elect to have the claims asserted in a finding of reasonable cause decided in a civil action as provided by section 13 of this chapter. (b) The election must be made not later than twenty (20) days after the date of receipt by the electing person of service under section (9)(b) of this chapter or, in the case of the commission, not later than twenty (20) days after the date the finding of reasonable cause was issued. (c) The person making the election shall give notice to the commission and to all other complainants and respondents to whom the finding of reasonable cause relates.
Indiana Code § 22-9.5-6-12 establishes a procedural option that allows certain parties involved in a fair housing complaint — including the complainant, the respondent, or an aggrieved person on whose behalf the complaint was filed — to move their dispute out of the administrative process and into a civil court. This election must be made within 20 days of receiving the required service notice, or, for the commission itself, within 20 days of issuing a finding of reasonable cause. When someone exercises this option, they are required to notify the commission and all other parties connected to the finding.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ind. Code § 22-9.5-6-12, a respondent in a fair housing proceeding — which may include a property owner or manager — has the right to elect civil court adjudication of claims identified in a reasonable cause finding. Operators who receive a service notice under this chapter generally track the 20-day window carefully, as missing it forecloses this particular procedural option. A compliant respondent who makes the election also ensures that written notice is promptly delivered to the commission and all other parties named in the finding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 22-9.5-6-12 gives complainants and aggrieved persons the right to choose civil court as the forum for resolving claims after a reasonable cause finding, rather than continuing through the administrative process. The 20-day deadline runs from the date of receipt of the service notice, making timely attention to any correspondence from the commission important. Tenants who want to understand which forum — civil court or administrative — may better serve their situation can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Indiana fair housing procedures.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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