Ky. Rev. Stat. ch. 344 § 344.620
Civil action for preliminary or temporary relief -- Effect
Operative Text
344.620 Civil action for preliminary or temporary relief -- Effect. (1) If the commission concludes at any time following the filing of a discriminatory housing complaint that prompt judicial action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, the commission may initiate a civil action for appropriate temporary or preliminary relief pending final disposition of the complaint under this section. (2) The commission shall promptly commence and maintain an action. (3) Any restraining order or other order granting preliminary or temporary relief shall be issued in accordance with the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure. (4) The commencement of a civil action under this subsection does not affect the initiation or continuation of administrative proceedings under KRS 344.600, 344.605, 344.635, 344.640, or 344.645.
Kentucky Revised Statute § 344.620 authorizes the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights to seek emergency court relief in fair housing discrimination cases before a complaint is fully resolved. When the Commission determines that waiting for the normal administrative process could undermine the purposes of the state's fair housing law, it may ask a court to issue temporary or preliminary orders. Importantly, pursuing this court action does not pause or replace the underlying administrative proceedings, which continue on their own track under related statutes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 344.620, property owners and managers should be aware that the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights has the authority to seek immediate court-ordered relief — such as a restraining order — at any point after a fair housing complaint is filed, even before the case is fully adjudicated. A compliant operator generally maintains thorough documentation of all housing decisions, policies, and communications so that records are readily available if a civil action is initiated. Because administrative proceedings under related statutes continue in parallel with any court action, operators may face simultaneous obligations on both fronts.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 344.620 gives tenants an important procedural protection: if you have filed a fair housing discrimination complaint with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, the Commission itself can go to court to seek emergency or temporary relief on your behalf before the full complaint process concludes. This means that harmful or ongoing discriminatory conduct may potentially be halted through a court order while the administrative case is still pending. Tenants who believe they are experiencing housing discrimination may wish to contact the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights or a local tenant-rights organization to understand what options exist under this provision.
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 19, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation